Jane Partridge states:
"...leaving the pins in like this has nothing to do with
setting ...because...disaster...if you remove the pins too early and tensioning
too hard...student do it at the sewing stage...ignored my advice to push a
section of pins into the pillow and removed them instead, thinking...just
leaving the edge pins.."
You are stating that someone pulled pins before the piece was completed...seems
like it would be obvious that essentially all the threads are contingent upon
the other, so pulling passives would affect further up, and on and on...
"Knitting and tatting both require blocking...see...improvement...bobbin and
needle lace are very rarely...lace loses something of its texture...even more
so if pressed. Even after washing a piece that is worn, you should lightly
finger press it back into shape rather than iron it.
It seems like pressing would be a real taboo, and crush the piece. The only
obvious exceptions to my mind would be those that involve fabric, such as
hardanger as a less likely lace example, is pressed face down atop a Turkish
towel to help keep the relief and still smooth the mostly exposed even weave
fabric. Perhaps you are alluding to those who like to press knitted sweater
pieces, hoping to bypass traditional dressing/blocking. None of that seems to
correlate to lace at all, except perhaps a big of steam, whether a hand steamer
or iron with good steam.
"...effect of water on your threads. Linen and cotton are both
stronger when wet - but silk and wool are weaker. Where the vinegar
solution is concerned, the protein fibres (silk, wool, etc) have some
natural resistance to acids (vinegar is acetic acid) - linen and cotton
(cellulose fibres) are weakened by acid..."
I can see where water could change the finish, and much of outcome is based
upon ph balance. so general rules do not apply, but vinegar is good at cutting
soap and an assistant in hard water. Rain water, distilled water, or water
softening agents can facilitate, but perhaps not all applicable to lace?
"Not everyone uses the adhesive film...it is much cheaper to (use) waterproof
pen..."
I guess friction isn't a concern then? I worry that even mild passing over,
one picks up things, so for instance I meticulously wash my hands no matter the
needlework form. Of course lace won't be touched until completed. (Or at
least ideally). <S>
"...use de-ionised water (for lace) for the final rinse - I would guess that
most blocking is done with tap water...knitting...garment to be worn and
washed..."
This brings to mind all kinds of things in treatment of knitted goods. I think
there are huge infringements from water to products (and leave in ones are
becoming popular, which I don't understand). All of the needlework I do, I
intend to last at least decades if not much much longer. Just too much time is
involved. I find bobbin lacemaking sometimes faster than some other forms of
needlework and is less financial investment, so would consider many forms of
needlework, via their time and investment to be something to be preserved and
well cared for. (I hope to do some very elaborate intensive lacework though!)
<S>
"Linen often benefits from covering with a damp tea-towel overnight in
dry climates/centrally heated houses. This keeps the thread slightly
moist and thus stronger - less likely to break. If you use a hair dryer
or blower on it you risk drying it out too much, and will possibly then
be faced with broken threads."
You are saying that the linen is treated this way intermittently during it's
life, so it doesn't become brittle. I am thinking of a hair dryer at a
temperature that is room, and ionized would help counter negative things. I
often use a box fan on dressed knitted lace to facilitate drying, fwiw.
"I think we worry too much about setting the lace - I rarely leave pins
in for any length of time after a piece is finished, and haven't noticed
any major difference with that that has had the overnight treatment.
Most natural threads will "remember" their position after a matter of
minutes - you only have to sit down in a linen dress for a couple of
minutes to have creases that stay put!..."
So the 24 hour rule doesn't perhaps feel critical to you? Of course sitting in
a linen dress includes "pressure and moisture!" LOL (Two important points
that we tend not to think of). There is no doubt that time or other elements
can facilitate "memory" so perhaps heat is more the element. I have to admit
that I have had too many fine things that were cleaned and later things show
up, much less dust or whatever airborne things. Perhaps too much of a purist
and there is no doubt that water will change the finish on many fibers, esp.
thread!
Thank you for sharing Jane!
Best,
Susan Reishus
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