First we normally begin working on a small pillow with few bobbins. I learnt at school in Barcelona when I was a little girl. Divider pins are used to separate the sections from one side to the other. The bobbins often do not stay in their order. But we are used to that. Since we work with the bobbins in our hands in the air it is easy to untangle since we are used to flicking (throwing) them around in the air passing them from one place to the other. When it is necessary to make wider edgings the pillow used should be wider to accommodate large number odd bobbins, otherwise it is more difficult.
The expert lacemakers that make blonde and use the long Spanish pillows with sometimes 500 or more bobbins use cloths or men's handkerchiefs to separate the sections.
I am doing an edging right now with about 80 bobbins and I am using handkerchiefs and layer the sections. Normally only divider pins are used and untangling is a must. We are used to it. It is a different way of making lace and it is amazing to see how quickly the bobbins are moved around in the air by the experts and they always seem to have the bobbins in the right place , but if they are not it is not noticeable by the "looker" that they untangle the bobbins as they go.

• Tips
• Sit upright on a straight chair.
• Place the pillow on your lap slightly slanted supported by the table or the back of another chair.
• Place the pins on a slight slant upwards so that the thread does not come towards you.
• Work one section or side to the maximum until you cannot work any longer till you begin the other side.
• Use many divider pins at different heights.
• Have patience.
• Remember that this pillow is much better for your back since you sit up straight!!!

Additional information from Carolina
    The position of pillow  must not be too vertical but laying against the wall in a "more
horizontal way", so the bobbins fall on both sides and let you work comfortable.
So, I hold bobbins in hands, usually a pair in every hand (except if I
am crossing 4 pairs or 8 pairs), once made the stitch I pin and close the stitch. I
leave the pair worked and take the next one up.

    When it comes to work with many bobbins, I have usually them if possible
the most ordered and big divider pins help me to organize the work. I
have the bobbins I am working with well align in front of me but  the
others that I don't need are piled up on sides "but organized": The last
ones are up and they will be the first to be worked.
Whereas the problem appears when you want to move, then the pillow must
be left on a chair or on the floor against the wall, of course this is
"dangerous", but a support for pillows is perfect to avoid tangles.

Carolina. Barcelona. Spain.
http://www.geocities.com/carolgallego/

Pillow and bobbin description It's 25" long and 13" wide, with what look like broom handles running inside of the cover along both sides and sticking out of the top.  Taped around the pillow is a 6" high piece of heavy card, similar to oak tag, which slides up and down.   The bobbins are plain, light-colored wood (some rather warped) and are 5 1/2" long.