Where's Me Washboard?

I surprise even myself sometimes! But always keen to rescue some old bit of fabric, decrepit furniture, or tattered paper, I decided to take a risk with this very soiled piece of vintage hand embroidery. (Yes, I did actually pay money for this!)

The crinoline lady stood in her cottage garden amongst a riot of pretty colourful blooms...and a rather nasty brown stain at her feet :(

She had languished unprotected in a picture frame without glass, and the years had not been kind. I carefully removed her from it (I shall probably paint the (potentially!) pretty frame and make it into a display board, similar to the one shown half way through this post) and brushed away the cobwebs.

The linen that she had been embroidered on was still good and strong, so I thought it worth risking the boiling method!

She bubbled away for a few minutes, and at first I wasn't sure if it was going to have any effect...In fact it looked like things were getting worse! But soon she was drowning in a brown soup-like liquid and a transformation had taken place.

A good rinse, an hour drip drying on the washing line and I'm pleased to say she scrubbed up nicely!

A few marks remained along the edges, but these would be easy to avoid. I had to trim away slightly more than I would have liked, but at least she's been rescued.

Today I sat her amongst more vintage flowers and she now features as the centrepiece to this patchwork cushion.

Where hopefully she will be enjoyed for many more years to come.

(The reverse with tie fastenings.)

***

Other items that have come my way recently (and which required a lot less work to make them presentable :)...

A Victorian decorative plate.

A C1940's cake plate.

A large linen tablecloth with a huge amount of hand embroidery (which did require a good laundering, and a very therapeutic ironing session - am I sad?!)

And two pretty lace panels for windows.

A cute baby blouse. (I sold today, thank you!)

Glass bead necklace and three vintage costume brooches.

(Pale lucite brooch sold today - Thank you"!)

A cute child's garment cover in the sweetest vintage print fabric.

A Victorian religious text print.

Furniture; including three French bistro chairs and an occasional table with distressed paint effect.

A set of lustreware eggcups and this little daydreaming pixie posy holder.

And finally a C1950's half hat with velvet flower trim.

Thanks for stopping-by...I appreciate all who check-in, comment, or email...I know time is precious.

Enjoy the rest of your day,

Niki x