How to save this beautiful antique crochet lace.

Question

My grandmother gave me a set of four crochet/tatted lace pillowcases. I have been told they are tatted and then I have been told they are actually crochet. I don't know what they are.The actual pillowcase fabric is disintegrating.
How can I save this beautiful lace? SK Sartell

How can I save this beautiful lace? SK Sartell

Marilyn Highley · Answer

Do you simply want to save the lace? Or do you want to attach the lace to something else? It most definitely is crochet.

Michelle Thompson · Answer

You could cut the lace from the current pillow slips...being very careful not to cut the lace. Then attach lace to another pillow slip of your choosing. Remember to never use bleach on the lace, it will cause it to yellow and degrade

Judy H · Answer

There are SO many things you can do with it. It is gorgeous lace, and really deserves to be preserved in a way that you can see it and enjoy it often. Some ideas are: 1) frame photo of your grandmother and decorate the picture frame using the lace 2) create a holiday ornament from the lace so it becomes a family heirloom, 3) make a wall hanging, 4) use the lace to make sachets, 5) make a journal or photo album with a cover decorated in lace. If you have lots of photos of your grandmother, this would be a perfect place for some of them. See the photos attached for other ideas! With any of these ideas, if you are concerned about the beautiful lace falling apart, you could treat it with a finishing spray that will preserve it.

Michelle Thompson · Answer

No problem sweetie... I was told 'No Bleach' over and over and over... Glad I listened.

Marilyn Highley · Answer

Do you sew? Salem has some nice sewing machine/supply stores. Maybe someone at one of the stores could make some suggestions or connections with other people for you.

Terri Brodfuehrer · Answer

my great grandmother did tatting all the time. it's much finer than regular crochet due to the tiny tatting tool used. why not use the lace as a matte around a picture of her, cover in glass so it won't yellow?

JS · Answer

Beautiful work! Suggest *carefully* cutting the material above where it is attached (or even the whole hem, since it's not likely to be as worn). Then attach to a shawl; won't get as much stress but still a special remembrance of your grandmother and all the time and work she put into crocheting them for you. It is likely mercerized cotton so it would hold a due if you want to change the color.

Love Design, Decorating, Furniture Painting · Answer

I would do a part of the pillow case and lace in a frame with a picture of your grandmother and even maybe something else of hers. Give another part of it to a sister, child or other family family member to do the same. Heirlooms are wonderful.

Linda H · Answer

I took some of my grandmother's and used them as a border around pictures, I also have 3 with needlepointed women with crocheted dress on pillowcases. I folded them up and put them in a frame.

Barbara Ann · Answer

I think you could remove the lace with a seam ripper if you are used to using one. If not, so to someone who sews and has experience and that person can remove it from where it was attached to the pillow case.

Annie · Answer

DP Paducah Ky. You could fold and have them framed. If you had someone special do that and gift them, I think they would be beautiful that way,,

Jeanette S · Answer

I would suggest that you cut the lace off, but leave an inch or two of the original pillowcase on it. Then use it to decorate another, new white pillowcase!

Barbara R · Answer

Edging on a beautiful throw pillow for a bedroom. You can make your own pillow...or buy one and hand sew the lace onto it. You'll get the idea...here's some ideas: If you have someone in the family getting married or need a baby gown for an occasion, use some of the lace for a small pillow or the bottom of the gown. What a precious gift as an heirloom!

Patricia Stevens · Answer

Your lovely lace is not tatting, it's crochet. I do both. Love the pattern.

Donna Arsenault · Answer

I recently watched an episode of Love It Or List It on Tv and they framed some of the grandmother's doilies with some lovely coordinating fabric for one of the home owners. I thought it was an awesome idea..we display many other collected treasures from our loved ones, but doilies etc...not so much out on display nowadays.

Connie Shelton · Answer

I took some tatting off some of my grandmothers work and used them to make flowers and designs in shadow boxes for her grand children, they all loved them for they then had a piece of their grand or great mothers work safe behind glass to keep and pass on forever!!

Connie Shelton · Answer

I also did some of her doilies behind glass with calligraphy of her name with love from her.

Angela Phillips · Answer

I would put it in a shadowbox frame with hatpins and maybe add a picture or 2 of your grandmother in there. I did a little of this with my memories of my mom!

Becca R · Answer

It's crochet for sure. It would depend on how it's attached to the fabric, you might be able to take it off the pillowcase, or you might have to trim a little bit of the fabric with it. You can use the lace on another pillow case, a throw pillow, use it on clothing, or put it in a special frame with a few other things that reminds you of her. If you need help with it, in person, I live in Salem too.

Debbie Worley · Answer

Your lace is beautiful You should be able to remove it and put it on a new pillow case. Here is a great article on the differences. http://ldslacemaker.com/2014/05/01/tatting-vs-crochet/

Sharon · Answer

I took the lace off some I had and put them on the bottom of curtains that I made. 
I learned the hard way, not to take the lace off the fabric. They put that stuff on with invisible stitches. Most of the fabrics this lace was put on was 100% cotton and usually had a good size hem. Cut on top side of the hemline.  Then where you decide to put it you can adjust how much you need. Don't cut the lace until needed, from a pillow case, and make sure you zig-zag in smaller stitches to make sure they don't unravel. 
It does matter if the design matches or not. People will just be in awe of how creative you are! I used the lace from the sheets for the big windows and pillow cases for the little ones. 
It's just an idea.  I'm prattling on.

Debra Anderson · Answer

I'd trim up above the lacing and frame it in a photo frame with a picture of your grandma in the middle. I wouldn't attempt to use a seam ripper, just trim it off the pillow case and frame it, or reattach it to another pillow case or on the hem of a curtain.

Carolyn (Gail) · Answer

Connie Shelton - your fabric is not safe when placed under glass.  Research shows that fabrics need AIR and they do not get it when under glass. Everything I have read says never put fabrics under glass.  I must admit that I have done it also.. I framed (under glass) the first two items  that I embroidered when I was about 10 years old. Then I later read I shouldn't have!

Nancy · Answer

That is crocheted.   Beautiful -   frame or make into a pillow

DIANEKENNY · Answer

That is crocheted ! And lots of time went into crocheting ! I would preserve behind class as others have stated !

Stephanie DuWig · Answer

Not tatting. That is crocheted edging. Just remove from the old pillow cases and sew onto new pillow cases.

Joyce Spiteri · Answer

I used something similar.on a chest. I put an old sewing machine on top. it came quite nicely.

Kellianne M · Answer

if you want to preserve it, i would suggest you contact a museum who would have professionals to handle it.

Jeanette S · Answer

Anything that is a true keepsake should be museum framed. That is making sure that any paper boards used in the process are 100% rag content. You can tell because when you trim the mat to size, you can see that the center is white instead of a light cream colored. If you use a shadow box molding, you can provide ventilation by adding a couple of small holes punched into the corners.