Comments on: Caring For Your Vintage and Antique Linens and Textiles—Part One

By: Margaret Rohner

Margaret Rohner — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 05:52:53 +0000

TY for this great info. I just inherited my family collection. Some from my grand parents,some that my father did. What is the name for the fine work that has cut out holes with fine stitches surrounding the cuts? I know there’s a name for it. This work dates back to the early 20th century.

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:20:32 +0000

PLEASE, please, please do NOT ever use bleach pens or whink on vintage or antique linens. Where there once was a stain, you will soon have a hole.

By: Lynda Kolski

Lynda Kolski — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:14:11 +0000

Sharon,
Depending on the type of lace it is, you can usually soak it the same way. But, depending on what it’s made of and the type of lace, it may be very fragile when wet, so use extreme care in handling it. Dating handmade lace is very difficult to do. I would suggest reading Pat Earnshaw’s book, “The Identification of Lace.” This will help you identify the lace, which is a starting point in trying to date it.

By: Lynda Kolski

Lynda Kolski — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:08:19 +0000

Robert,
Very often those early inks were not colorfast or stable. I would not do anything to it, as I would be afraid soaking or washing it would also wash out that ink. Sometimes you have to accept the marks of age on delicate items as part of the piece.

By: sharon follmer

sharon follmer — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:38:30 +0000

Thanks so much for the useful information. Does this also apply to antique lace? Do you have any information on how to date the pieces I have just acquired?

By: Jane DiPaolo

Jane DiPaolo — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:30:46 +0000

On BBC TV Production, the ladies used a soak in Denture Cleaner. I’ve haven’t tried it, and I don’t remember if if was a vintage piece they were working on – but the results did seem quite amazing.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 08:47:45 +0000

I have rescued many of crotched dollies, embroidered table clothes, so many old things. I just could not see how people could not recognize the art and time and love that the person that made them had. Most needed good washing and soakings. Your right on with the Biz and Oxy/ I can’t wait to try the rust product. Thanks so much! Lisa

By: outoftheattic2u

outoftheattic2u — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:40:57 +0000

This is such great information. I am putting it on my blog

By: robert deisley

robert deisley — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:06:36 +0000

i am in possession of what appears to be a napkin measuring 17″ square with a hand sewn border of a little over 1″ \, imprinted w/pictures of Wm. McKinley and Garret A. Hobart.
As it is yellowed w/age
, would it be possible to clean w/out losing the picture and printing?

By: megsmom

megsmom — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:05:18 +0000

thank you for this very helpful and informative piece of work.