Framing old linens

Victoria Howard
by Victoria Howard
I want to frame this old hankie, as the Pansy is my late Mom's favorite flower. This was either Mom or Grandma's linen. Sadly there are several large stains that I have tried unsuccessfully to remove. Without cutting this, how can I frame it for display?
The design to be framed...Very old linen.
There are several stains like this, that scoffingly defy removal. The Bastards!
A better shot of the whole thing.
  27 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 18, 2015
    You can glue on other patterns to disguise the stain but still have what is important to you.
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Nov 18, 2015
    Or layer it with other linen or lace to frame the design you want, without showing the stains.
  • I would add her pictures over the stains. memorable pictures of her maybe matted in a color on the hanky. that way you are not cutting or altering this in any way
  • Gabrielle Falk Gabrielle Falk on Nov 19, 2015
    I was going to suggest buying some appliques. Don't use bleach as that will rot the fabric. Have you tried any of the modern stain removers.
  • Katy Graves Katy Graves on Nov 19, 2015
    I've had great success removing stains using Dawn and hydrogen peroxide. 2 TBSP hydrogen peroxide and 1 TBSP dawn applied to the stain. Let it sit for an hour and rinse. You can repeat the process.
  • Taffetal Taffetal on Nov 19, 2015
    For the framing, I would place it between two pieces of glass or Plexiglas - no mat - and the simplest of frames. That would ensure that it stands out as special. About the stain, disguise it with some powder or chalk and don't worry about the imperfections. It is what it is - your mother's lovely hanky that was used for tears, to wipe her face, etc. etc. It probably held a scent of her and her drawers at some point.
  • Ginger the farm gal Ginger the farm gal on Nov 19, 2015
    could soak in tea and go with an older look by staining the entire hanky
  • Donna Donna on Nov 19, 2015
    You could just fold the hankie so the stain doesn't show, then use some pretty decorative paper in the background when you're framing it. I've framed some vintage linens and just used a color (like beige or brown) as the backing color that makes little stains less noticeable.
    • Victoria Howard Victoria Howard on Nov 19, 2015
      @Donna I tried folding, but makes it too thick for the frame..better find a bigger frame.
  • Julie Thorne Julie Thorne on Nov 19, 2015
    I have a set of place mats and matching napkins that look just like yours. This could be an grease stain and Dawn is great for that. If the Dawn and hydrogen peroxide doesn't work I'd try to fold it in half like a triangle, then fold the two wings to the back until the stain doesn't show. If all else fails and you want to use the whole item then use a bleach stick. It's all ready ruined for framing so what do you have to lose. A shabby Chic idea would be to frame it with a small picture of You and your Mom covering the stain. Add in a few pieces of her jewelry and you'd have a great memory of your Mom. Let's see your finished project though. Good Luck!!
  • Carol Gutterman Carol Gutterman on Nov 19, 2015
    Carol G Try Lestoil. I use it on all oil or grease stains. I also have the same linen pieces you do. Cute idea. Good Luck!
  • Sharon Wright Sharon Wright on Nov 19, 2015
    try lemon juice and baking soda for the stains
  • Rita Rita on Nov 19, 2015
    What works for my vintage linens is a paste made from hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda . Then place in sunshine for a day. It has been my go to for years and works well in most cases. Good Luck! PS. Only use on white.
  • Jane gray Jane gray on Nov 19, 2015
    had a set like this and I folded them in triangles just showing the motif and pinned them in a shadow box with decorative pins .I then arranges a favourite necklace. Draped acros the bottom half of the box and added two brooches one in each corner. .I am doing another one using some decorative. Hankies of my grandfathers and adding his cfflinks and tie pin ?They both looks wonderful and have been admired
  • Jane gray Jane gray on Nov 19, 2015
    You can buy shadow boxes or deep frames at Ikea
  • Heliane Ripley Heliane Ripley on Nov 19, 2015
    Yes, and they are not expensive at all. I just bought one.
  • Gailek Gailek on Nov 20, 2015
    Hi! I used several old monogrammed luncheon napkins draped over a curtain rod to make a valance in my kitchen, came out really well, if I do say so myself! Maybe you could layer you Mom's hankie in the same way. With other things of her's or photos of her...OLD pics would work nicely I think. I confess that I did do some artistic arranging of my napkins to cover the holes in some of the napkins.
  • Inetia Inetia on Nov 20, 2015
    Shadow box it with other memorabilia, trinkets, jewelry, scarf, hat, gloves, photos, lace, ribbons. Possibilities are unlimited.
  • Gabrielle Falk Gabrielle Falk on Nov 20, 2015
    I saw a post on this web site from a lady who was told how to clean vintage cloths. Maybe if you have a look there, it could be of use.
  • Gabrielle Falk Gabrielle Falk on Nov 20, 2015
    Betsy from Atlanta: posted a way of cleaning old linens - I'm from Australia so therefore am not familiar with the US of A's products for cleaning. Hope u have some luck, and I guess these stains must be old. Could they be just 'age stains'?
    • Victoria Howard Victoria Howard on Nov 20, 2015
      @Gabrielle Falk I'm 53, and I am sure the stains are much older than I!!! So it's possible...thank you!
  • Gabrielle Falk Gabrielle Falk on Nov 20, 2015
    I forgot to say that sometimes linens, clothes get a dirty mark where they have been folded. That is why with my few pairs of white slacks etc., I make sure I turn them inside out, and rehang, and put a dry cleaners plastic cover over them. Dust, and age can leave marks. Good luck. I still think an applique is prob the best way to go. Wont damage the fabric.xo
  • Gabrielle Falk Gabrielle Falk on Nov 20, 2015
    I just had another idea. You know the chinese table clothes, that have lots of images of chinese life etc. and country scenes. You might be able to find something that might compliment the decorations on the hanky. Check out places that onsell these sort of homewares and linens. Maybe a professional 'framer' will be able to give you some helpful advice. The stains might be old stains and nothing will shift them because they are deeply embedded in the fabric. Or do you know of someone who is clever with embroidery? Best of luck, Gabrielle from Sydney, Australia (ps today the temp has reached 45degrees in Sydney, which is roughly 115 degrees C. Give or take a degree or so. xo
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Nov 20, 2015
    The stain is far enough away from the pansy that I think you could experiment with folding the hankie so that the stains don't show. I would use blue tissue under the folds to keep the stain from seeping up anywhere near the pansies. Lovely piece.
  • Pat whitmus Pat whitmus on Nov 20, 2015
    possibly a picture of your Mom and Grandmom could be matted and placed over the spots and the the entire handkerchief could be matted and then framed. Or if size is an issue find a creative way to fold so that just the corner shows and then pictures of family you love and remember could fill in around that corner piece. Good luck. I know you will come up with something that pleases you. :)
  • Maria Garcia Maria Garcia on Nov 22, 2015
    Fold it just above the design. Keep folding the fabric like a paper fan. Pin discreetly or put a few stitches to hold in place. Place in frame at an angle to accommodate the length of folded fabric.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Nov 22, 2015
    Have you tried one of these newerer 'OXY' products for the stains? Also, go to a frame shop or a good art store and 1. back it and 2. matt it in 'acid free' stock. A must! for linen or fabric in a frame.
  • Victoria Howard Victoria Howard on Nov 26, 2015
    why is a comment under review?