In a message dated 7/12/03 5:21:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< > As you know, I recommend blocking and finger-pressing after washing lace, Hello Jeri Do you mind explaining what is it "to block the lace after washing it"? Thank you very much. Antje, from Guadalajara, Spain >> ----- Dear Antje, Since the most recent discussion was about the effects of pressing synthetic threads incorporated in lace, I reminded with the above sentence that pressing with a hot iron is not the first option for shaping lace after washing it. To block lace, is to put wet lace back in the same shape it was originally, so it will dry without need of pressing. You can read the text I wrote for Arachne, accompanied by many warnings for the amateurs who choose to wash lace, at: http://www.honitonlace.com On the left is a list of options to choose. Please click on "cleaning lace", and follow that to the article. There are many warnings. That is because many people have no idea how to wash something fragile today. Most people are accustomed, at least in the U.S., to putting everything in a machine for washing and drying. I realize this may not be the case in your country - Spain. It is mandatory that we be very careful when washing old laces - and that is what the article is about. The directions work as well for new laces. The article on the Honiton site was prompted by a discussion on Arachne about a special type of frame that women used in the past for blocking curtains and tablecloths. Perhaps these frames are still available in Spain. They are not in general use in the U.S. Conservation and restoration books do not address the specific needs of people who wish to wet clean laces. Old books give advice that professionals advise against, and some modern-day authors have repeated the risky advice from the past. After attending museum-sponsored textile educational programs over a 20-year period, and experimenting with various methods, I documented what were comfortable and safe methods for my lace collection. These have been placed on a Web Site where everyone can access them. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED]
