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Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)
Mon May 30, 2016, 03:42 PM May 2016

HI everyone. If you deal in antique linens, can you help?

I have an old crewel work hanging panel. It has been exposed to everything for at least 100 years, probably a lot longer. As I was inspected it today, I thought it looked awful. The linen is now shades of brownish, the colors of the crewel work are fine but slightly faded. It has a green cotton(?) backing, green fringe at the base and green loops at the top where it is attached to a wood hanging bar. I have no idea what the material of the fringe is, probably wool.

I think it now looks unsightly and hope to find a way to rejuvenate this very nice antique hanging. Any ideas? The hanging is about 8" wide by 40 inches long. Reminds me of the old 'bell pulls' but it was never used for that.
The link added (eBay) shows the general type of tapestry but this was never a bell pull.
I would appreciate any ideas before I plunge in.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-59-Handmade-Jacobean-Floral-CREWEL-Embroidery-Bellpull-Brass-Frame-Hanger-/201591372842

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
HI everyone. If you deal in antique linens, can you help? (Original Post) Paper Roses May 2016 OP
Possible one of these safeinOhio May 2016 #1
Hi, nothing like the pic's on the Amazon link. Paper Roses May 2016 #2
Here is some good links zalinda May 2016 #3
Hi thanks for the links. Paper Roses May 2016 #4
Read the info on the links zalinda May 2016 #5
Feedsacks aliza20 Nov 2020 #6

Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)
2. Hi, nothing like the pic's on the Amazon link.
Mon May 30, 2016, 04:29 PM
May 2016

Tomorrow I will try and figure out how to post a picture of this hanging. I have no camera skills.

Picture an antique tapestry that needs to be cleaned and rejuvenated. At least 100+ years old. Some of the crewel is faded. That does not bother me. It is the lined linen background that looks awful.

This hanging is late 1800's at the latest. I know it might be best to leave it alone but...I don't like the way it looks. It was always a hanging, probably to show the skills of the one who did the work.

Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)
4. Hi thanks for the links.
Mon May 30, 2016, 05:07 PM
May 2016

Both are valuable and I can use the info on other things. This tapestry is in a different category. I am most concerned about the colors running and what product might might lighten the linen. I also know that I must dry this hanging as soon as it is washed just in case the colors run. A sunny day on the clothes line.

I can't afford a professional cleaning by an antiques linen expert. Just hoping for some good suggestions. Oxy-Clean in cold water with mild detergent?

What a challenge.

zalinda

(5,621 posts)
5. Read the info on the links
Mon May 30, 2016, 07:35 PM
May 2016

Both are experts in the type of linen you have. Colors back then pretty much were boil fast, which meant they didn't run. The only problems I've ever had or heard of is with the color red. You can also get a product called Shout Color Catcher, which can prevent color running.

Also linens back then were cleaned in boiling or hot water, not cold. BTW, even woolens were cleaned in boiling water.

There is only one caveat that I would add. Since you don't know what the fiber content is on the embroidery thread, I would be careful on the rinse cycle. I would make the rinse water about the same temperature as the water you take the linen out of, so if it is room temperature, make the rinse water room temperature. Put the water in the container and then add the linen to the water, don't run the water on top of the linen.

Personally, I'd rinse the linen twice to make sure that all the soap would be out of it.


Laundry back in the day, was much different than it is today. You would put on water to boil and fill your sink with wash board or your wringer washer machine and start your wash day. Whites were always put in the boiling water with soap, you had a stick or actually a sawed off broom handle and you stirred your wash and let it soak, while you sort your clothes and pre treat the dirtiest. Then you go back to your whites and stir again, and take them out to cool enough so you can handle them. When they were cool enough, you checked to see if they were clean and if needed take them to the wash board to scrub, otherwise you rinse in hot water, wring and hang out to dry. You then took your next 'cleanest' clothes and put in the water, add soap if needed and wash. By this time the water should be 'cool' enough not to burn your hands off and you would agitate the clothes through the water checking for cleanliness and using the washboard as needed. Rinse and repeat. Your last batch for the day would be the dirtiest clothes, and you go through the same steps. Now, if you had really, really dirty clothes, they could get their own wash water, if necessary, but that was unusual.

You have to understand that not everyone had a washing machine, even in the 1950's. And clothes line drying was the normal way to dry clothes even in the winter time. You had fewer clothes to begin with, and it wasn't unusual for someone to wear the same clothes all week long. Linens would be washed once a year, with spring cleaning. Blankets would be washed once a year, also in the spring and be put away in the cedar chest until needed in the fall. The cotton blankets would be brought out for the summer.

Things were very different back then, so never assume that how you would handle something now, is how you would handle something then.

Z

PS You can try oxy in cold water with a mild detergent, you will have nothing to lose. But, if you are really concerned, take a pic and put it on a board where they discuss antique linens to get the best advise.

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