The Many Types Of Bobbin Lace Pillow

Each lacemaking country-sometimes each district-evolved its own style of bobbin lace pillow and bobbins. In most cases, the same kind of pillow is used in the same areas today.

The most common pillow used here in Puerto Rico is the revolving bolster. In Belgic, the old Belgian pillow was the bulky rectangular or square desk shape, supported by a wooden stand. Jan Vermeer, in his well known painting “The Lacemaker“, shows this pillow, which was also used in the Low Countries and in Switzerland.

A small drawer at the back held extra bobbins and the lace was tucked into it as it came from the back of the pillow. Another pillow used in Belgium was a simpler, flat, hay-stuffed pillow; this is the one in general use in Belgium today.

European bobbin lace pillows

The Italians, Russians, and Germans generally use a large bolster pillow for all laces. The bolster rests on a stand, either a tall on sitting on the floor or a small cradle for use on a table. These are sometimes called “muff” pillows and may have a hollow center.

The Spanish bobbin lace pillow takes the shape of an elongated bolster, about 26 inches long and 7 or 8 inches in diameter. It is used in an upright position, the lace being worked down the length of it instead of around it. The pillow may be supported by a stand or held between the knees of the worker, the other end leaning against a chair back or a wall.