Getting started with a new craft should be fun so it's good to know where to find the things you need.

Things you need:

• ​Pillows
  • Your first pillow
  • Pillow size
  • Straw or polystyrene / foam?
  • Pilow suppliers

Your first pillow
Not sure if you want a flat pillow, a domed pillow, a straw pillow, a polystyrene pillow?  The easy solution is to borrow one.  If you are learning with a teacher, ask them if they might be willing to let you try out different pillows to see what works best for you.  Your pillow and bobbins are going to be your biggest investment, so it's worth taking some time to get it right.

If you can't wait to get started, then why not get a piece of high density foam - like the stuff used for roof installation, cover it with some cloth and start on your journey.  It will be flat, but these days most lacemakers use flatter pillows often call continental.

Pillow sizes and styles
​You will be faced with loads of shapes and sizes of pillows, but for your first pillow I would recommend that you go for an 18" round pillow.  This is a good size for most things you will do in your first couple of years.  It's big enough to make a Christine Springett snake or a starter doilly.  You will come back to your 18" round pillow year after year and it's a great starter investment.

The next pillow I would invest in would be a block pillow that allows you to make long strips, corners and ... a table cloth!  You can even do ovals with a block pillow.
​After that its about buying pillows to match the projects you want to make but with an 18" round and a block pillow you have the two you need to get going.

Straw or polystyrene / foam?
This is always going to come down to personal preference. 

​For me, using bone bobbins on a straw pillow, making lace with silk and using a traditional Bedfordshire pattern connects me to generations past.  Call me a romantic like Thomas Wright.

Straw pillows do have a weight behind them.  If you like to make lace on your lap, then a straw pillow with a large number of bobbins will be heavy, however placed on a table and that weight has gone.  Straw is outstandingly durable and a good straw pillow will last you a lifetime if you take good care of it.

Polystyrene / foam pillows can wear from pin damage, but I'm still using my first pillow  from 30 years ago and it's as good as it was the day I bought it.  I just take care to never start the same project in exactly the same place in order to minimise wear.  Adding a couple of layers of felt or felt carpet underlay to the top of your pillow will also reinforce the top and help it to last longer.

Pillow Suppliers

Biggins Lace
Although when you first think of Biggins Lace, you think of the many patterns they have created, Biggins have been creating pillows for a number of years.

Biggins Lap Top Pillow is a great choice for those who want to sit and make lace whilst watching the telly as it has an integrated bean bag base

​Makit
Makit offer 'coin' shaped flat polystrene pillows as well as domed pillows, with and without an mdf base.  

MDF bases are useful if you want to put your pillow on a table or stand - you can put some non slip fabric under the base and keep your pillow in place.

D J Hornsby
D J Hornsby has been a stalwart in the Lacemaking community for years.  ​
Many of us have used the wonderful plastic bobbins that Dennis Hornsby had made from his own turned bobbins.

They still produce produce a selection of pillows.

Roseground 
​Roseground offer roller pillows in addition to the tradional styles as well as their travel block pillow.

​Travel pillows are just perfect for lace days and visiting friends and family.

​Harlequin Lace
Harlequin Lace make a variety of pillow from high density foam and also supply blocks for Church Meadow Crafts block pillows.

​They also offer unusal pillows for collars and fans along with pillow bags.

Mainly Lace
Mainly Lace supply both modern polystyrene​ and traditional straw pillows. 

​Outside of buying a straw pilllow from the continent, these are my first choice for straw pillows.