Is this The Complete Memo? I have dutifully printed out your memo, also filed it in my Lace Folder for future reference, but I'd like to be complete.
Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where it's raining again. -----Original Message----- >From: [email protected] >Sent: Apr 8, 2011 12:06 PM >To: [email protected], [email protected] >Subject: [lace] Solutions for Lace Accidently Washed in Family Laundry > >Dear Lesley and Others Interested in Lace Care, > >My complete lace washing instructions have been referred to Arachne members > numerous times since 1995. I do not have a Web Site, and the one it was >on (Honiton Lace) has been taken down. Fair notice was given to all to >print out my various memos on lace care and put in a book, because when >something disastrous happens you need to respond as soon as possible.. > >In this case, I think you need to block the lace to the shape of the >pattern, though the hot water will have shrunk lace a bit.. It has already >been >wet. Re-rinse it, this time in room temperature distilled water to get >out some of the harmful detergent and (probably) minerals in the water you >used for your family wash.. > >Lift out of water to a towel, shape it roughly into a flat piece, and blot >excess water out of it. Put the towel aside. Lay lace on a very very >clean waterproof flat surface and finger press it into the shape you want, >referring back to your pattern. Lace dries quite quickly, so within hours it >will be done. Finger pressing gives just a limited amount of heat. >There is probably some remaining sizing in the thread that should firm up the >edge.. > >If this fails, re-wet with distilled water. Finger press into shape on >top of a acid-free flat piece of white cloth (like a pillow case) that you >have laid on a ironing board. Cover with a clean lightweight piece of white >fabric, and press. Use the least amount of heat that will do the job. > >Another thought: You could very slightly reduce the size of your pattern >on a printer. Cover with a clear waterproof product (I don't know names in >your country) -- waterproof so the ink of the copied pattern will not >migrate into the lace. Lay it on your lacemaking pillow or a surface you can >pin into. Shape the lace on this smaller pattern. Pin the lace in strategic >places to block. Remove just as soon as it is dry. > >No matter the material the pins are made of, never leave metals in contact >with damp or wet lace longer than necessary. > >Two bonus tips: (1) Those of us who learn to conserve laces are familiar >with the terrible staining that metal hooks and snaps can make on fashion >items put in storage. Museums have temperature/humidity under control. >Private owners think the storage trunk or drawer will be dry, but there is >moisture in the air in most countries, and that can lead to staining from >metals over a period of time. (2) If you have a lace collection, check >everything at least once a year. Pick a day (such as _Lace@Arachne's_ >(mailto:Lace@Arachne's) birthday, April 12th) and put this task on your >calendar - >every year.. > >Jeri Ames in Maine USA >Lace and Embroidery Resource Center > > >In a message dated 4/8/2011 6:11:34 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, >[email protected] writes: > >The sun was shining brightly in a blue sky yesterday so I was unusually >full of housework enthusiasm. One of the things I grabbed to go into >the wash was one of my cover cloths which was lying on the sideboard. I >didn't stop to wonder why it was there but was reminded when I opened >the washing machine, which had been on a hot wash, to find the pice of >lace I'd recently finished, apart from sewing in the ends, which I'd >carefully placed inside a cover cloth to keep it clean. Yes, THAT cover >cloth. So, I now turn to you, my Arachne friends, to ask, is all lost? >Can I save the shrivelled piece of blue fabric that was to be a table >mat for my spare bedroom? I've tried pressing it, but the corners pull >out more than the middle so it's somewhat wavy round the edges and I'm >at a loss as to whether it is rescuable or whether I should start again. > >In hope, Lesley > >- >To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: >unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to >[email protected]. Photo site: >http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003 - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
