LACE Q AND A
6:48 AM |
Q: How do I clean cotton laces?
A: I use cold or lukewarm distilled water for mild age yellowing. Biz and Oxy are good, make sure you use cool or lukewarm water, as hot water tends to shrink cotton. Soak for about an hour.
Q: How do I clean silk laces?
A: I use a hydrogen peroxide mix of 5/7 ounce of 30% hydrogen to a quart of distilled water. Do not soak longer than 5 minutes, then wrap the piece in clear plastic for no longer than 3 hours.
Q: Should I purchase laces that have rust spots?
A: Depends. Rust is very difficult to remove and causes a weakness in the area of the rust. The only thing to do is cut out the rust areas and use the good areas.
Q: Should I purchase colored silks?
A: Depends. colored silks were usually dyed, causing shattering in places over time. If silk is shattered in one area, chances are it will spread quickly to other areas. I would not chance it, as shattering means silk is probably weak and time will not be too kind to it. Even air temperatures will cause shattering to spread. Ask your seller to give it a "tug" test in the areas that appear good.
Q: How do I remove water stains?
A: Dunk the whole piece in cool distilled water, it will dry evenly. Use distilled water to clean all your laces.
Q: What is chemical lace?
A: I get asked this a lot. At the turn of the Century a machine called Schiffli was invented to reproduce the hand made needle laces by machine. These laces were very ornate and were very popular with the ladies. The patterns were placed over a fabric, then placed into the machine for tracing. When finished, the fabric backing was burned away with chemicals, hence the name.
Q: How do I store lace?
A: Lay the lace flat on a piece of muslin or a rolled tube covered with muslin. Do not use plastic bags, as they collect moisture inside resulting in mildew and their static charge collects dust on the laces. Do not fold laces as it will break and weaken the fibers in the folds, especially silks. Using cedar chests or lined containers is also good.
Q: How do I dry lace?
A: Lay lace flat on an undyed, chlorine free towel and allow to dry at room temperature. Do not use paper towels, as they contain harmful acids. If you have to use an iron when dry, use a cool iron. Placing lace flat on a laminate or stone counter top is best. A glass topped table is also good. Smooth out with your fingers. Do not dry in the sun because ultra violet rays will weaken the fibers.
I DO INVITE QUESTIONS!
A: I use cold or lukewarm distilled water for mild age yellowing. Biz and Oxy are good, make sure you use cool or lukewarm water, as hot water tends to shrink cotton. Soak for about an hour.
Q: How do I clean silk laces?
A: I use a hydrogen peroxide mix of 5/7 ounce of 30% hydrogen to a quart of distilled water. Do not soak longer than 5 minutes, then wrap the piece in clear plastic for no longer than 3 hours.
Q: Should I purchase laces that have rust spots?
A: Depends. Rust is very difficult to remove and causes a weakness in the area of the rust. The only thing to do is cut out the rust areas and use the good areas.
Q: Should I purchase colored silks?
A: Depends. colored silks were usually dyed, causing shattering in places over time. If silk is shattered in one area, chances are it will spread quickly to other areas. I would not chance it, as shattering means silk is probably weak and time will not be too kind to it. Even air temperatures will cause shattering to spread. Ask your seller to give it a "tug" test in the areas that appear good.
Q: How do I remove water stains?
A: Dunk the whole piece in cool distilled water, it will dry evenly. Use distilled water to clean all your laces.
Q: What is chemical lace?
A: I get asked this a lot. At the turn of the Century a machine called Schiffli was invented to reproduce the hand made needle laces by machine. These laces were very ornate and were very popular with the ladies. The patterns were placed over a fabric, then placed into the machine for tracing. When finished, the fabric backing was burned away with chemicals, hence the name.
Q: How do I store lace?
A: Lay the lace flat on a piece of muslin or a rolled tube covered with muslin. Do not use plastic bags, as they collect moisture inside resulting in mildew and their static charge collects dust on the laces. Do not fold laces as it will break and weaken the fibers in the folds, especially silks. Using cedar chests or lined containers is also good.
Q: How do I dry lace?
A: Lay lace flat on an undyed, chlorine free towel and allow to dry at room temperature. Do not use paper towels, as they contain harmful acids. If you have to use an iron when dry, use a cool iron. Placing lace flat on a laminate or stone counter top is best. A glass topped table is also good. Smooth out with your fingers. Do not dry in the sun because ultra violet rays will weaken the fibers.
I DO INVITE QUESTIONS!
Antique Tatted Lace Appliques
Beautiful tea dyed colored hand tatted lace Edwardian appliques in excellent condition. These dainty appliques measure 1+1/4" across the middle. Purchase these and other wonderful antique laces at Etsy. Just click on the photo.
Antique Edwardian Dress Cuffs
A beautiful pair of ivory organdy Edwardian dress cuffs with appliqued florals. These are dainty and very wearable. They measure 10" by 4" wide and can be purchased along with other wonderful laces at Etsy, just click on photo.
Antique Edwardian Silk Gold Lace
A gorgeous gold silk Edwdardian wedding net floral lace flounce in excellent condition. Removed from an Edwardian wedding gown, the lace hangs longer in the middle than the rest of the lace. It measures 32" across the top, 133" across the bottom by 13" to 23" long. It has one seam in the middle. Purchase this piece and others at Etsy, just click on the photo.