BJ, there was a thread to do with linen a while back but I don't know if there is anything useful there - I have put the link at the bottom of this post. I know that they put formaldehyde in linen so it would be a good idea to wash it first, and I think that you can wash it very hot - I remember the bubbling pots too Lorchen. Good luck with it and I hope you will post photos of the finished result.

[url]forum/beginners-corner-ask-anything/4899-wrinkle-resistant-linen-fabric-treatment[/url]

Hi Betty Jo! It's great to hear that you are progressing with this project.

I'd definitely serge the linen before washing it. I have used different types of linen for hand embroidery and they all frayed a lot.

I have no idea about the 'right' temperature, but my common sense tells me to wash it at the temperature that you want to wash it again in the future. I vaguely remember my grandmother washing linen table cloths in a very large kettle on her woodburning stove. The water was bubbling and the whole kitchen steamed-up like a sauna.

I'm sure there are folks here with much more precise advice than my rather anecdotal ramblings.

HI there, remember this? I finally got some really nice linen to make this quilt...a nice piece of ivory for the main part of the quilt and a darker tan to back mom's work so it will show up a bit. I wonder though, do any of you have some suggestions/cautions on prewashing the linen. I assume it must be done because it probably shrinks a lot. Should I use cold water or regular wash? I'm thinking I should serge the cut edge first. Would love your ideas before I do anything that might ruin this beautiful linen.

Her work is exquisite and very much in the right kind of direction for my mom's needlework.

I wish I coluld go to a workshop with Cindy Needham. But I'm on the wrong side of the big pond. The show with her will always be one of my all-time favourites.

I suggest you study the work of Cindy needham. She specializes in using vintage pieced in her quilts. She does seminars and workshops, and has been a guest on TQS. Her work is exquisite. Her website is her name.
Let us know what you do!!

Reetzbobeetz wrote: Rita, Sounds wonderful. I encourage you to take some out and do something with them. I'm going to start by getting some linen samples and working out a plan on Electric Quilt 7.

I too have a drawer full of various hand made crochet items from my DH's family. It would be lovely to do something with them as we don't tend to cover our surfaces with them anymore. I look forward to seeing what you do Betty Jo.

Lorchen--that Hardanger is just wonderful. I wish I were that good at it.

Lorchen wrote: How lovely! I doubt I get mine done much before the end of the year myself (you can see why if you look at my new page on current projects on my website http://www.bjfabricartist.com ).

Betty Jo, I wish, I wish.... I normally can't resist a challenge ( ), but my older son is getting married in May and I have to make 86 fabric wedding favours, and I work fulltime, so can't play with fabric during the week, and normally need half the weekend to recover from my job. But I promise I'll share when I manage to find some time.

Lorchen wrote: Lorchen, How beautiful! Yes, there is something very special about these pieces. I encourage you to join me in making something of these great pieces.

Betty Jo, I have a small box full of lace pieces and edgings (most of them crochet, using a thread as fine as a sewing thread, and some hardanger work) made by my paternal grandmother. Most of them will have been made in the early 1900s. They are patiently waiting for me to decide what to do with them. Isn't it wonderful to have this link with the past?!

Lorchen wrote: Great idea about getting samples first and I will prewash everything. There is a small stain on one of the pieces, but Martha Pullen was just talking about how to get stains out of antique pieces on her show the other day. It's not an antique, but it is delicate and precious.