Hello All! If you heard screams earlier today, it was me. While removing my just completed convention jewelry from the bolster pillow, I realized that the pricking that seemed to have been covered with plastic film was not. Dark, ugly smudges covered my pale yellow Idrija cotton lace--EEK! Dawn dish soap cuts thru lots of stuff but it didn't help today so I grabbed the Borax. Yes, the 20 Mule Team stuff promoted by the Old Ranger back in the day. Thirty minute soak with intermittent agitation. Not perfect but much improved so I don't think it will be necessary to dye the lace. But OMG it was a race to get it re-pinned to the pattern. Cotton shrinks--rapidly. Note to self, always cover every pricking with plastic film--better to have two layers than none. Anyway, I wanted to share this in case it saves someone else's project from the dustbin or helps clean dull vintage linens that were meant to be laundered. Not something I would try with fine lace, but a more rob! ust lace like Idrija seems to be OK. I'm sure Jeri will scold, but Borax is a naturally occurring product that is anti-fungal etc. Since I didn't have time to remake the lace for our upcoming exhibit & it is unlikely to be featured anytime soon at the V & A, I took my chances with the Borax. I would say that overall, the lace is slightly lighter than the original thread but acceptable. The piece is posted on Flickr--it was fun to make. Onward to the next project! Sincerely, Susan Hottle USA
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