Hi Sharon, I don't know about using chalk. I would be hesitant. Before that or anything else get some Orvus from a quilt shop (it is a neutral soap like substance) and try spotting the stain with that. The Orvus is used to wash/clean antique and newer quilts as it doesn't damage material. Good luck, Mary in SE Michigan where it is snowing and nasty outside
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Received: from rly-mc04.mail.aol.com (rly-mc04.mail.aol.com [172.20.118.146]) by air-mc04.mail.aol.com (v121.4) with ESMTP id MAILINMC41-11c47965c2c94; Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:12:36 -0500 Received: from l2mail1.panix.com (l2mail1.panix.com [166.84.1.75]) by rly-mc04.mail.aol.com (v121.4) with ESMTP id MAILRELAYINMC44-11c47965c2c94; Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:12:12 -0500 Received: from mail2.panix.com (mail2.panix.com [166.84.1.73]) by l2mail1.panix.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 2F4105C6B6; Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:57:00 -0500 (EST) Received: from dont.panix.com (dont.panix.com [166.84.0.211]) by mail2.panix.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 2435534814; Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:52:58 -0500 (EST) Received: (from [EMAIL PROTECTED]) by dont.panix.com (8.13.6/8.13.7/PanixLC1.9) id m0MKqsDh000633 for laceout; Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:52:54 -0500 (EST) Received: from mail1.panix.com (mail1.panix.com [166.84.1.72]) by dont.panix.com (8.13.6/8.13.7/PanixLC1.9) with ESMTP id m0MKqrbO010396 for <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:52:53 -0500 (EST) Received: from mx5.uniserve.ca (mx5.uniserve.ca [216.113.192.94]) by mail1.panix.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 54B4F29412 for <lace@arachne.com>; Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:52:53 -0500 (EST) Received: from dhcp562-1-119.dsl.ucc-net.ca ([216.86.104.119] helo=sharon) by mx5.uniserve.ca with smtp (Exim 4.62) (envelope-from <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>) id 1JHQ72-0003zt-27 for lace@arachne.com; Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:52:52 -0800 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: "Sharon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <lace@arachne.com> Subject: [lace] restoration question Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:52:52 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 X-Scanner: OK. Scanned. X-Uniserve-Spam-Score: 0.0 0 (/) X-Uniserve-Spam-Report: Spam detection software, running on this mail system has identified this incoming email as possible spam. An analysis of the message is below. Content analysis details: (0.0 points) pts rule name description ---- ---------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Precedence: bulk Reply-To: "Sharon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> X-List: lace Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-AOL-IP: 166.84.1.75 X-AOL-SCOLL-AUTHENTICATION: listenair ; SPF_helo : + X-AOL-SCOLL-AUTHENTICATION: listenair ; SPF_822_from : + I need a few educated opinions :) I've recently been asked if I could restore an antique christening gown. Before actually seeing it I said "yes" since I thought the lace would be bobbin. Anyway, turns out the dress is made up of strips of broderie anglaise. The repair that needs doing is right smack in the middle of the bodice :( The child obviously gobbed something down it :( The resulting damage has burned a hole and turned other smaller areas orange :( Otherwise the dress is in pristine condition and so white you'd think it had been bleached within an inch of it's life. I asked the owner about this since the dress is supposedly from the 1890's. She said that the dress had only been in storage and never cleaned. So, I took a small strip from a seam allowance and tested it with some oxy-clean and there were no adverse results. I then soaked the stained area for a while and it did lighten the stain a bit. I didn't want to soak for too long even though the dress feels brand new and strong. Next I've had to match some material as a patch for the hole which it about three eights of an inch across. Not an easy task and I had to settle for some fine hankerchief material..it's not a bad match, not perfect, being slightly coarser..but at least the colour was right. Next has been sewing some of the eyelets back together. I'm using my finest thread (170) and a beading needle. I have to say it looks pretty good so far. I plan on hiding the raw edges of the hole with a couple of embroidered spots. The thing is, the orange stain still stands out like a neon sign :( What I would like an opinion about is this, would it be alright if I covered those stains with a bit of chalk? My thinking is that it would not only cover the stains but perhaps also neutralise the effects of any remaining acid. The gown is to be put on display at a Heritage Show next month. I don't think there is a permanent way of getting rid of the stains but at least it would be presentable. Thaks. Sharon on sunny but cold Vancouver Island - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]