Douglas Daily Dispatch

Delicate Laces Should Be Carefully Handled

Sentiment seems to be woven into the meshes of lovely old lace. In many families a collar, a handkerchief, a bridal veil, doilies, or the remnants of a dress are handed down from mother to daughter through many generations. How to preserve the delicate threads has always been somewhat of a problem. If not in use, old lace should be placed in an air-tight container, preferably one of glass.

Before washing old lace, it is advisable to baste each piece onto a remnant of shrunk-on cheese cloth so as to support the threads. If it is very frail, let it soak for a while in a basin of lukewarm mild soapsuds without any more handling than is necessary.

Unless the lace is badly soiled, this will loosen the dirt and it can then be rinsed away. If necessary renew the soapsuds two or three times before rinsing.

To bleach lace white, let it remain in the sun while wet; to renew or obtain the yellow tint that many people prefer, dip it into a clear solution of tea after the final rinse, remembering that when dry the lace will be about one-half as dark as when wet. Rust spots on old lace will usually respond to slight dabs of oxalic acid followed by dabs of water before laundering.

It is best not to press delicate pieces of old lace as there is always danger of scorching or tearing some loose thread with the sharp point of the iron. Narrow strips of lace should be wound on a bottle to dry. If they are smoothed out and pulled into shape while wet, pressing will not be necessary.

Collars and circular doilies should be placed on a flat absorbent surface while wet and shaped with pins stuck vertically into the picots at the edge and around the design. When dry the pattern will stand out clearly and the piece will lie as flat as though it were pressed with an iron.

A lace dress should be washed in lukewarm, mild soapsuds and rolled in a towel until most of the moisture has been absorbed. When almost dry, hang it on a padded hanger, pulling it gently into shape. Press on the wrong side with a lukewarm iron.