In message <[email protected]>, Susan Reishus
<[email protected]> writes
Tussah Silk has a "cornstarch" feel to it, whether in fabric or in
yarn. Some of it can be removed with Synthrapol or Dawn (chemical
equivalent) in US, or Fairy dishwashing liquid in UK. These cleansers
can tend to be a bit harsh.
I think that last sentence is the understatement of the year, Susan! I'm
sure I have related this tale before, but in case any new members were
thinking of using Fairy Liquid to wash lace, I would say DON'T!!!! Some
years back, working on our group entry for Myth or Mystery, we were
using DMC Broder Machine 30 cotton in ecru for the majority of the lace,
with some Madeira Metallic 40 gold threads (No 6). One of the class had
been using ordinary handcream on her hands, and using her fingers to
push some of the threads into place in a part that needed firm
tensioning, ended up with the lace looking grubby. So we agreed she
could gently wash it. She put a couple of drops (no more) of Fairy
Liquid into a bowl of water and left the lace to soak for a minute or
two. The effect was one of bleaching the ecru cotton to brilliant
(optic) white, and stripping the gold thread so that it was orange! She
had to make the piece again, and since then has only used Udder Cream on
her hands.
I have a blouse that I made using tussah silk, which has a firm handle
to it but is not uncomfortable to wear. Some silk will launder
successfully, others are likely to watermark. I have always classed
tussah with the second, and had it dry cleaned when necessary. For those
silks which will wash, my mother told me to use pure soap flakes - which
are OK, but take for ever to rinse out - I have always used Orvus on the
delicate items which I would like to outlive me (eg my daughter's
Christening Robe), but for others I use a normal non-bio washing liquid
in the machine (which they have stood well for a few years of frequent
use). The important thing to remember is not to use a fabric
conditioner.
The silk I have found that catches on everything is the stranded
embroidery thread made by Zwicky - it tends to be very fly-away in use,
too.
--
Jane Partridge
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