In a message dated 1/12/05 9:11:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> How do people keep fiber lace such as the Novak collars on their clothes? I > > am thinking of wearing a fiber neck piece to the museum. However, I think > that > the friction with my coat will result in dishevelment and the piece is so > large, I don't think I can carry it with me and apply it at the museum. I > am > considering putting a few basting stitches on to hold it, such as > historically > accurate, but I am afraid that with the spare modern look this may > backfire. > Devon > Dear Devon, For the sake of preserving lace, some thoughts from one who has been wearing both antique and new for 25 years: Yes - you can baste it. Then, your lace will be right where you want it to sit on your body and not need adjusting. I baste many laces, because I do not want them to touch my neck (which will force me to wash the laces, and shorten their life-span). Use short stitches in dense areas of the lace, and long stitches on the underside. This will allow lace to stretch a little as you move, and make it easier to remove the basting later. Probably, noone will notice the basting, except in a crowded elevator (lift). I do not wear laces (new or antique) under coats. The dyes and fuzz in many coats is of the sort that will rub off onto textured lace if there is any friction, and there will be friction whether you are using your car (seatbelts) or taking public transportation and moving through crowds with shoulder bag, umbrella, etc. I have antique collars that are black on the underside - from the dresses worn under the laces by past owners. When the fibers from the lace marry with the fibers of the garment, the garment fibers cannot be removed. For this reason, most sweaters are not a good base for lace collars. Can your lace wait to be worn in the Spring, when a lighter-weight raincoat will provide outer protection and there will not be as much friction? Even then, you'll need to be aware of seatbelts, shoulder bags, crowds pushing and shoving, umbrellas. Some of the worst tension and disruption can be from getting in and out of cabs. My preference (if size permits) is to roll lace on a cardboard tube that has been covered with aluminum foil (prevents acid transfer), and then roll a piece of acid-free tissue or a headscarf over the whole. Ends can be tucked in the tube. This is held in place with fabric tape they use to put up hems, tied round the tube into bows. This can travel in a cloth tote bag that can be checked along with your coat when you've reached your chic destination and removed the lace to wear. Another way to keep lace in place is to choose clothes with a non-slippery surface. Look for a matte finish to the fabric of your clothes. It would be a good precaution to hand-wash or dry clean a garment at least once before you wear lace on it. That will remove some of the possibility of dye transferral. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace & Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
