Pass the Pillow
January 2017 updates
August 2016 updates
In 2009 Mary Hocking, Pauline McLeod and Anna Winter and friends from North Downs Lacemakers started a project to produce a piece of lace made by 2012 different people by 2012 (the year of the 2012 London Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee).
We reached our target in June 2012 and the next task was to work out what to do with the length of 2.84 metres roughly 5.5 cm wide. We decided on a circular cloth with lace edging to represent the happenings of 2012. During this task we visited more than 30 different lace Groups, lace days and suppliers fairs, 7 museums and libraries, 2 junior schools, 9 local festivals, Lace Society Rallies, Lace Guild Conventions and a Needle Lace AGM, as well as other non-lace gatherings of groups that our members and family friends are affiliated to.
The age range of our participants was 3 - 93 years, and each person worked an average of 8 pinholes.
Among the Participants was a Member of Parliament, several town Mayors, an athlete (who took part in the 1956 Olympics) and several people from foreign countries.
The project was a lot of work and driving around the country but we all enjoyed the process. We would like to thank all those who took part and also for inviting us to your events.
May 2012 updates
We launched this project in February 2009, and as a few things have changed slightly since then, and some people won't know what it's all about, I will try to explain.
The official title is now North Downs Lacemakers Pass-the-Pillow 2012 by 2012 Relay Race.
Our aim is to get 2012 people taking part in making our piece of lace by the end of 2012. We will try to do this by taking our Pillow to as many venues as we can, and encourage people to make lace. You don't have to be an expert, we can guide you in the right direction, and as long as you do a few stitches and put in a pin or two, you can sign the book to say you have helped us on our way. We have been to various Lace meetings, Lace Days, Lace Fairs, local Libraries, Museums, Exhibitions etc. and are hoping to visit Schools and Youth groups so we can encourage the younger generation to take an interest in our craft.
The torchon pattern has been specially designed to be suitable for all abilities (people from 3 to 93 have already taken part). All the equipment has been donated, we have sufficient thread to last far longer than 2012 and I'm regularly replacing the bent pins.
We have so far been to more than 50 venues, and are anxious to find more suitable places to visit. If you have any suitable contacts, or if you would like to join us on one of our visits, or take the pillow so that your family and friends can have a go, please let me know.
We still have to decide what we will do with the lace when the project ends. It will depend on its length, of course. We have some ideas, but would welcome more.
April 2012 updates
'Pass the Pillow' Update - In April 2012 the lace measures 2.79 metres and there have been 1999 people 'having a go'. We are nearly there only 13 people to go, we are nearly there. We would like to have 2012 participants in time for the 2012 Olympics. Have you had a go? If you have any suggestions of an event where the pillow could go please contact Pauline McLeod.
February 2012 updates
'Pass the Pillow' Update - In February the lace measures 2.72 metres and there have been 1950 people 'having a go'. We are nearly there only 62 people to go, this is so exciting. We would like to have 2012 participants in time for the 2012 Olympics. Have you had a go? If you have any suggestions of an event where the pillow could go please contact Pauline McLeod. We don't have any more dates booked for 2012 at the moment.
March 2011 updates
At the beginning of March the lace measures 2.24 metres and there have been 1251 people 'having a go'. We would like to have 2012 participants in time for the 2012 Olympics. Have you had a go? If not you can catch the pillow at the following events. If you have any suggestions of an event where the pillow could go please contact Pauline McLeod. These Pass-the-Pillow events are booked for 2011 so far:
| March 5th | Woodley Lace Dayn Woodley Baptist Church,Woodley, Berks | March 12th | Glevum Lace Makers, Gloucester | April 8-10 | Lace Guild Convention, Heelis, National Trust Headquarters, Swindon, Wilts | April 30th | Lace Society Rally, Solihull, West Midlands | May 21st | Chepstow Lacemakers and Beadworkers May Fair, Chepstow, Monmouthshire | June 4th | Poole Lace Day, Wimbourne, Dorset | July 24th or 31st | Rural Life Museum, Tilford, Surrey | September 10th,11th | Kidzfest, Farnham, Surrey | September 24th,25th | Michaelmas Fair, Weyhill, Surrey |
May 2010 updates
At the beginning of May the vital statistics were 618 people making 1.7metres (67ins), so there's a long way to go! An update on progress will be found in N.D. Newsletter.
