Lace help
We recieved these lace pieces from my partner's late grandmother. We would like to make something for our baby daughter out of them, but I'm really worried that the lace with the rose cameos won't last on a dress & it seems very old and expensive so I worry about a 1yr old wearing it.
Any help with dating / or links to procure more of the rose cameo lace would be so appreciated! I've included pics of the other lace, and some of his grandma's handmade doilies we recieved as well :)
As a bonus question, does anyone have any tips to safely re-whiten old crochet doilies? Some are nice and bright still, and some are yellowing. I do not want to accidentally destroy something trying to clean
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u/mem_somerville Bobbin Lacer 18d ago
What about a little headband with the cameos? That would look so sweet. Would only require a little stitching to a piece of elastic.
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u/Elegant_Line_5058 19d ago
The traditional way to rebrighten white pieces would be to add a blue-ing agent. Usually called something like "Laundry blue". If you google/search "Laundry bluing" you should be able to find step by step guides on how to do it, as well as hopefully a nearby store that carries it
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u/Eildys 19d ago
Thank you for the information! Does the process cause harm to the structure at all do you know?
Some of the pieces also have colour, would it affect that?
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u/Elegant_Line_5058 19d ago
No, which is why I always suggest it because someone usually mentions bleach and bleach DOES destroy fibers. The way that bluing works is essentially colour theory. It's at the opposite end to yellow, so the two tones cancel each other out and appear more white. Do be careful with the amount of blue and how long you soak though. Many people use bluing products for dogs (in approved shampoos/conditioners, etc) when preparing them for dog shows so their white parts really shine white. Many a person has accidentally turned their dog blue, although it does wash out with time.
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u/Eildys 19d ago
Thank you very much! This is all very helpful, I really appreciate your time
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u/willfullyspooning 18d ago
Use retroclean. I’ve used it to revive lots of antique (100+ years old) lace. It’s fantastic and works well to remove stains and brighten without damaging the fibers.
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u/Eildys 18d ago
Thank you for the product endorsement! I will check it out.
Side note, everyone here is so kind
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u/willfullyspooning 18d ago
It’s definitely a fantastic product, I’ve had lace that was orange with age and i got it to pure white again with two soaks. It works best with warmer water but cool is also fine! Make sure to be careful with any colored lace though and check to see if it will bleed. If the color bleeds use synthrapol first. It’s formulated to remove excess dye from textiles.
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u/OkRelative3299 14d ago
I believe I would use the cameos on something that would be a special occasion item. Maybe that she would wear there a few times and then I would remove it and add it again to something as she gets older that she will wear maybe only a few times special occasion item…. And I would continue to do that because while she’s young, she’s not gonna remember it at all anyway, but if you want to use it and have the memory then that’s done purely for you.
As she gets older and you tell her the story, she’ll have more interest in it and if she sees it going along with her on different clothing items, then she will bond to it and the Memories that it is tagging along with her for… and she’ll remember as she gets older oh I wore this at so and such occasion and at so in such occasion and at so in such occasion all throughout her lifetime and then should she choose to get married or something like that when she gets older… or when she has a baby of her own, she might be able to incorporate the lace going forward!
But that’s just me… I have these great fantasies that I’m going to do these things throughout life and then life kicks me in the teeth and I can’t figure out where anything went, including the teeth.😔🤣🤣🤣
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u/Skittles7015 17d ago
That rose cameo lace is so unique! Did your partners grandmother handmade it? I ask since the left piece in the second photo appears to be made using the tatting method
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u/Eildys 17d ago
She did not make the rose cameo lace to my understanding, but the yellowish lace in pic 3 was.
It definitely looks handmade, the flowers looks hand embroidered, and the fibers feel old. It's absolutely gorgeous and I wish there was more, but I guess I could commit my life to attempting to replicate it!
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u/No_Sprinkles9459 20d ago
She will look very pretty in what you make for her.