How to get rid of yellow stains in vintage lace and linens!

The vintage lace is on its way to our giveaway winners in New York, UK and Canada; and I while I was packing it today I thought it would be a good idea to share with you some tips on removing that typical light yellow staining from the lace before you use it.

So, here are couple of things you can do to get rid of it:

• Lay the lace out in the sun and turn it over after a few hours. A day in the sun should be enough to get rid of most of the staining.
• Next, soak the lace in one gallon of hot water mixed with one scoop of OxiClean for a few hours (OxiClean is milder than a regular chlorine-based bleach), or until the stains are gone. Do not use OxiClean with anything metal (such as metal container), because due to resulting oxidation, the metal can rust and stain your lace even more. Also, test on a patch before using with colors.
• After a few hours, remove the lace and drain it out.
• Now, rinse the lace first in a distilled vinegar solution to neutralize OxiClean and then in cool water.
• Drain and let it dry on a drying rack or a towel outside in the sun.

Voilà! Enjoy your lace!

And the winner of vintage lace is...

... there are three winners, actually! The fact is I am hoarding a large box of vintage lace I received from my Austrian grandmother-in-law some fifteen years ago. I will never use all of it, so I decided to pick three winners instead of one. Here is the list:

1. harmony and rosie of Harmony and Rosie will get the prize featured in my original post

She said: "I would definitely incorporate it into a garment, I'm currently collecting vintage sewing patterns so it would be fitting to use the lace with one."

2. Etcetorize of Etcetorize : 

"I'm hoping to make a short white peasant dress for summer with lots of lace accents~"

and 3. Bunny of  La Sewista:

"I use lace a lot, usually in children's garments and collect vintage lace as well."

Etcetorize and Bunny will get similar lace from my stash.

To claim your prize, please send me a message to mvk dot fashion at gmail dot com. I apologize for the format, but that's the only more or less effective way to keep away spammers. 

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who participated - I am really thrilled to have so motivating and inspiring followers!

There will be at least two more giveaways this month, so stay tuned!

One Day left to enter 100 followers vintage lace giveaway!

Two weeks are almost up and tomorrow we will draw the lucky winner of the 100 followers vintage lace giveaway! 

If you haven't entered yet, check out this original post and leave your comment for a chance to win these three pieces of vintage lace.

Good luck!

100 followers giveaway: vintage lace!

Yay, I have 100 followers! Thank you so much, dear readers. I enjoy your feedback as much as the process of writing and sewing!

Now, following the best traditions of sewing blogs I am hosting a giveaway - and the prize is ... a set of three bands of beautiful vintage lace. 

I thought it would be so timely for this season - lacework and embroidery is everywhere. Paired with white, it makes a perfect summer piece. You can make a top, a dress, a pair of shorts, or use it as a detail on a light summer jacket. Imagine it with denim, for example... 

Each of these pieces is almost 1.5 yard long and, with some luck, this beauty may belong to you.

You can enter the giveaway by leaving a comment under this post. The giveaway is open to existing or new followers anywhere in the world.  I would also love to hear what you would want to make with the lace, but this is not a pre-condition for joining the giveaway. So, good luck and enjoy some inspiration from the runways, below:

Image: Style.com (Dolce & Gabbana, Spring 2011)

Image: Style.com (Dolce & Gabbana, Spring 2011)

Image: Style.com (Dolce & Gabbana, Spring 2011)

... and here are some styling tips from the UK edition of  Harper's Bazaar (June 2011):

• accessorize with hippie-inspired pieces or a stack of bold silver bangles or layered necklaces
• pair white flared jeans with an embroidered waistcoat
• add some warmth to your look with natural-hued accessories

I forgot to add, post comments by Sunday, June 12th - the winner, which will be drawn randomly, will be announced on Monday, June 13th!