Friday, May 21, 2010

Nannies' Lace

Years ago, I received a box of my Grandmothers' Lace from my Mother. I was thrilled to be entrusted with this box of loveliness from the past. I have many projects planned for all of this lace and have spent the past few days gently washing it all. I searched the net for the best way to clean old lace without damaging it. One site said to use Dreft detergent....it is for babies and it is very gentle on vintage fabrics. Well, it worked wonderfully! I soaked the lace in batches in Dreft and warm water. You would not believe the nasty icky gunk that soaked out of it. Some of it is still a little damaged and stained, but that adds to it as far as I am concerned.

I plan to make pillows, collages, and some of it, I may just display the lace itself. The lace collar below is one of those pieces that I just could not cut into pieces. It would be a sin!!

Lovely, lovely lace! I love the pattern of this one (above)


Piles of lace and doilies! With washing all of this lace, my house looks like a bordeaux with lace hanging on everything to dry. My hubby thinks I am NUTS....lol!!! What does a man know about these things???

Another lace collar. Very fine lace with a little damage, but still usable. I will find something to use it for.
More piles of lace. I love the beige trim and while looking at it, I thought it would look awesome with some burlap that color and make a pillow out of it. Woooohooooo!!
I love the pattern of this lace and I have quite a bit of it.
Here is the trim at the bottom of a little dress. The dress is shown below and it didn't get washed. There are places where the fabric is so thin that is has torn a little. I'm afraid that if I wash it, more damage would be done.
Click on the above picture and look at all the pintucking on the bodice. There is a lot of work there. So beautiful.
I hope that you have enjoyed my little lace tour.....I have more to wash and dry yet, so might take somemore photos. There is a very large piece of black lace and I think it was either a shawl or maybe a piano scarf at one time. It is in such poor shape that it tears if not handled gently.
So I think I will leave it alone for now.
Have a good weekend everyone!!
hugs, Sue

12 comments:

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh, what wonderful treasures, I just love vintage lace. I am always finding it at thrift stores and estate sales, it seems just people like us realize the value and love it!

Carol

Diane said...

LOVE all of these so much--I have such a weakness for vintage lace--the more used, the better.

Elaine said...

I love that you have the old family lace.. What a treasure given you.. I have a small bag of old lace that I bought in Amish country on a trip.

Renee Troy said...

OMG! How gorgeous and how lucky you are to have these wonderful treasures. Men will never get it thankfully so.

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Oh my gosh...this is like winning the lottery girl!
Well, even more than that since it's all from your grandmother which makes it extra special.
Beautiful lace and trims...they totally make my knees weak.
I know you'll create something worthy with them...have fun :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
lori vliegen said...

gorgeous lace filled with fabulous memories from your grandmother!! i don't blame you for wanting to put it all in frames.....it's beautiful!! have a great weekend! :))

Martha Lever said...

Hey Sue!! I think I am going to like the oils but I know me ...I will paint for a while with oils and probably miss my acrylics so who knows! I just signed up for Kelly Kilmer's class with Lori. Should be fun! I can't get away from the journals!

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Hi Sue,
oooh, the lace is to die for.Can't wait to see what you do with this.
Have a great day.
Hugs,Marie

Lovey said...

Lovin the lace and trim! Fantastic treasures...come on by my blog and Link up with Me...
http://fabricphotomemories.blogspot.com/2010/05/beautiful-eye-candy-artist_22.html
Love your Blog!

Lovey said...

Re: Comment on my blog...Hiya Sue!! So glad you're here and that my blog is pleasing to you...always a good to know! Your blog is quite beautiful as well and I'm hoping you'll Link up with Me..

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Hi Sue...JUST found your blog after reading you had won the little prouch..( memmory fails me already on where it came from ) but Congratulations !
THE INSTANT I saw your lace display here...my heart skipped a beat...I doo am a lace lover..and in fact, love anything that resembles things from about 1910 backwards...
MOST ESPECIALLY the Victorian Era.

Have just joined and will be back soon to read more..I am SO behind on my blog hopping and commenting.


Rose
VictorianRose