June 2, 2009
Editor’s Note: I’ve found the pattern I wrote out, and the motif has been identified correctly now. Not the Pinwheel , as previously posted.
Oh, the HORROR!
I made this tablecloth back in the early 80’s during a time when I was enjoying a bit of down-time, between babies.
Star Wheel Tablecloth
The Pattern is from New Ideas In Crochet Table Topics – The Spool Cotton Book No. 123 .
1938. I don’t have a copy (yet) but have a link to the pdf. file at Celts Vintage Crochet Yahoo Groups here: StarWheelMotifTC.pdf
New Ideas in Crochet Table Topics Book No. 123 The Spool Cotton Company 1938
Spinning Wheel motif detail
It had what appeared to be a nasty coffee-and-cream stain on one edge motif, and a few drops on a couple others in the immediate area. It was stiff and very dark, UGH!
The Stain
I posted these pictures and my dilema in my Ravelry Forum, in hopes someone could suggest a possible solution that would rid the stain without my having to remove the spoiled motifs.
A couple suggested I use Oxy-Clean and soak it. So when I went to pick up DD18 from work last night, I grabbed a small bottle of Oxy-clean and promptly made a bucket of water for a soaker. The bottle said to leave in up to 6 hours, but after 3 hours, I could see it needed to stay in longer, so I left it in the bucket in the tub, overnight.
This morning, I was pleased to find The Stain was reduced to a shadow of it’s former self, and now appeared as a faded tea stain.
The Stain, after Oxy-Clean treatment
Another Ravelor suggested I stain the entire tablecloth with coffee (AHA! what a novel idea!) or tea, to bring the newly vivid color down to match The Stain. Oooooo I like that idea! 😀
So, I have it outside drying for now and will come back with my decision shortly-the Jury is still out…
Star Wheel Tablecloth side view
Note: Perhaps I’ll re-stain the entire tablecloth next, rather than redo the 2 motifs involved, rather than try to match the 10 yr old thread…
WAIT: another Ravelor suggested as she cannot see the stain as being that bad at all, why not leave it as is, like part of the cloth’s history to the story. Gives it “Patina, as it were”.
I like that; Patina, it is! 😀
Stella's Secret Gate 