The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-01-06
The Care Of Lace.

Valenciennes is the cheapest lace, in
the end, for many reasons. 1t is made
with round whole thread. Worn care
fully, not daily, it can hardly be worn
out. 1t can be washed any number OF
times; and, not SO peculiar as the point
or applique laces, the Mechlins, ETC., all
of which are much more fragile, it gives
the soft effect of lace without attracting
too much attention, so as to be recog-
nized easily again. 1t is a very great
mistake to keep laces particularly Val
enciennes, which is not at all injured by
being washed) for years without wash
ing. Many women believe that all lace
is ruined by washing, and will keep some
cherished bit of lace for years and years,
turning yellow with age and rotten with
the dust it has accumulated, till it really
drops to pieces. Valenciennes does not
need skillful French blanchisseuse to
lido it up" as the phrase is. Let the
owner wrap large bottle closely in
white flannel, then sew tightly over the
flannel piece of cotton. After washing
the lace carefully in lukewarm water and
soap-suds, in which may be dissolved a
little borax (say thimbleful of borax to
a pint and a-half of water), and rinsing
the lace several times in clear water till
no soap remains in it, wind the lace
about the bottle which you have pre-
pared as above. See that the lace lies
quite fiat without wrinkles; open
the little loops that form the edge with a
pin; stand the bottle in the sun. When
the lace is quite dry, so that You may be
sure of its entire cleanliness, you may, if
you desire to give it the yellow appear
ance of old lace, take soft handker-
chief and dip it in a cup of black coffee,
and sop the lace with it as with a sponge,
trying to do so very evenly; then let the
lace dry. Some people prefer to rinse
the lace in coffee before putting it upon
the bottle, but l have found the method
described above better.
There are some kinds of old ecclesils-
teal lace, usually Italian, that in point
of endurance are superior to the Valen-
ciennes. But these are enormously ex-
pensive, and, unless they may be an
heirloom, have no place in a work on
economy. But some kinds of lace made
to-day by ladies fond of fancy-work re-
semble it very much-not enough to be
mistaken for it at all, but more like il
than any other lace. 1t is made with a
particular kind of tape and with
thread on a piece of black or
green leather. The amateur usu-
ally makes it for furnishing
purposes table-cloths, etc.; but very
fine quality of this lace is beautiful for
dress trimming. 1 have seen piece
made to cover the front breadth of a
dress cut in the princesse fashion, reach
ing from the throat to the bottom of the
dress, and the effect was really very
beautiful. This lace can be made in the
odd moments that many women use for
crotcheting or knitting things of less use
or beauty.
Lace! The word lace sounds like the
"bagatelle' of the wealthy woman; but
although it is not an article to be bought
by the severe economist who earns lin
tied income, yetit may be her very good
fortune should she inherit any of it, for
it will save her many a penny that she
will spend in less enduring fabrics. Aud
one or two really good pieces Of lace
will be wise investment for the econo-
mist, who, having a small capital to
dress on, can afford to buy from time to
time good and lasting thing.-Mrs. r.
W. DeaOi7sQ, in H1rDer'S Ma0Qzine.