It is suggested you either use hand cream, or not.  Be  consistent.
 
Carol's note about using "Udder Cream" reminded me of an in-depth study a  
silk embroiderer and I did years ago.  It was a test of various hand creams  
that claimed to be specifically made for silk embroiderers.  This fell  
right in line with my interest in textile conservation.
 
We concluded that every hand cream altered the color of the threads,  or 
the way light traveled across stitch surfaces, regardless of the  
manufacturer's claims.  Some hand creams might have been "harmless",  but there 
were 
definite differences!
 
For each thread, we stitched 3 squares next to each other with no space  
between them, on silk gauze:  We stitched a square without using hand  cream, 
then an adjacent square with hand creams to the right, and to the left of  
the creamless square we stitched a design of cream-infused  thread surrounded 
by creamless thread.  This was  done with several different brands of hand 
creams that needlework  shops were selling and with several different silk 
thread brands in several  colors and white.
 
In every case, there was a slight color difference.  We concluded  that if 
you are working anything with silk thread where the  finished texture is 
smooth, choose either to use cream or not, and be  consistent.
 
Creamy hands mean they will more easily pick up dirt, dyes,  chemicals with 
which they come in contact.  For example, wiping hands  on an apron that 
might have a food stain that would melt into the hand  cream.    
 
>From a conservator's point of view, it is best to cream your hands and wear 
 white cotton gloves over them when you go to bed, and also keep your  
cuticles and nails under control.  Use creams as you normally do  during the 
day. Then, wash your hands before working with silk, and every  half hour or 
more thereafter.  (Hand  washing interval depends on how much acid is in your 
skin and how it  reacts to handcream.  An indicator for this is length of 
time it takes  for new sewing needles to become dull and lose their slippery  
surfaces).  
 
Professional silk embroiderers do not do any work at home that would damage 
 their skin or fingernails.  In an unheated National Embroidery  Institute 
studio in China, I saw that they had flannel-covered hot  water bottles in 
their laps to warm their fingers.  Think back  in lace history, and you know 
that most of the European women  working with silk lived in convents where 
their work produced most of the  income for supporting everyone.  They would 
not have been the ones  cleaning, washing and gardening.    
 
Here is what happens with any fiber:  When you roll a thread  between 
finger and thumb or caress the threads, which is more often than you  think 
even 
with bobbin laces, that works oils deeper into crevasses  of spun fibers, 
where any form of cleaning will not reach.  Oils  on the surface may be washed 
away, but use of any extra chemicals on any threads  is never desirable.  
Then, remember those tiny organisms that like to  nibble on ingredients of 
oils, starches, etc. and may leave stains  behind.  Add various climates, 
storage conditions, and ... well, you  get the idea.  
 
It is suggested you either use hand cream, or not.  Be  consistent.
 
Jeri Ames in Maine USA
Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
 
(I've just spent 6 days wet cleaning a very old piece of Venetian Point  
lace - shaped like a lappet cap and 55 inches in length and 9 inches at the  
widest center part.  Very tiny buttonhole stitches, unseen without  
magnification.   It was saturated with black oil in one long section,  and 
nearly all 
has come out through soaking to let fibers expand and  shed the oil, and 
changing the Orvus and distilled water  frequently!)
-------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
In a message dated 1/16/2015 6:25:54 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
nestalace.ca...@btinternet.com writes:

Since Mr Piper passed away, and Susan took over, I have used many  tons of 
her 'Udder Cream' - my skin is VERY dry, and it makes such a  difference to 
the scaly skin - wouldn't be without it!    Also the silks - I love working 
with silk, and their selection is  wonderful.

Carol in North Norfolk,  UK

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