>>> Adele Shaak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 07/29/04 03:47AM >>> > she uses clear polyurethane, same as for furniture. I kid you not... > <snip> > Historians and conservationists - weep <g>
Despite the title I think like everywhere in the world individual lacemakers have their own preferred method of stiffening found by trail and error to be the best for her type of lace. I took the workshop by Iva Proskova on Czech Mechlin ground. We made a piece of jewelly with metallic thread and stiffened with a mixture that her husbands makes. She said it is polystyrene disolved into carbontetrachloride ( the stuff that dry cleaners used before it was prohibited in many countries). The advantage of this is that it does not discolour the lace and after washing it becomes stiff again. The carbontetrachoride evaporates and probably leave your lace infused with polystyrene. You have to work in a well ventilated room. You must be careful not to use this on synthetic pillows as the solution might dissolve your pillow. Needless to add the workshop was wonderful. I learned so much more than what I expected. Linda Greyling Lecturer Mathematics and Science - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
