How to Care for Lace clothes and Linens

The first mention of lace fabric came during the sixteenth century in Europe. There were originally two different ways to make lace-by needle using a single needle and thread or by bobbin using many threads to plait the design. Originally made from linen threads, lace making has evolved to using everything from cotton or synthetic man-made fibres to metallic threads.

For centuries, the leading centers of lace making were Italy, Flanders, and France.

Most finished products involved three artisans-the artist who drew the designs, the pattern maker, and finally, the lace maker who did the actual work.

All lace was handmade until 1809 when John Heathcoat invented a machine that could weave the open weave netting that is the background of most lace. By the late 1800s, machine made lace was available to the masses and prices dropped dramatically.  However, handmade laces are still available and treasured for their uniqueness and fine work.

Lace has been popular for hundreds of years and lace dresses and blouses can be found everywhere, thanks to current fashion trends. What was once thought of as quaint and vintage, lace today can be modern and used for everything from trim to entire outfits or home accessories.

The term lace refers to any netlike ornamental fabric made by hand or machine from cotton, linen, or synthetic fibers.

Due to the open weave, lace fabric is delicate and should be treated with care. The key to determining how fragile the fabric may be is to know what fibres were used during manufacturing.

Most items made from lace should be handwashed using cool water and a mild detergent. Avoid vigorous scrubbing, which will distort the fibres. Rinse well and do not wring to remove water, gently squeeze instead. Handwashing is the most gentle method for cleaning; however, if you choose to use a washing machine place the lace item in a mesh lingerie bag and use the gentle cycle.

Whether hand or machine washing, if the item is a garment, button all buttons and close zippers completely to avoid snags that can tear the lace netting. Air drying lace is recommended to avoid snagging in the dryer. Hang lightweight items on padded hangers and dry heavy items flat to avoid stretching and even tears from the weight of wet fabric.

Delicate pieces may need to be reshaped during drying. If you do tumble dry, choose low heat and dry only with other clothes that have no buttons or zippers.

For stain removal, follow the recommended tips for specific stains using a gentle touch when handling the stained area.

If ironing is needed, place a thick white towel over the ironing board and use a press cloth between the iron and the lace.

This will help prevent crushing the details of the lace and prevent snags by the iron tip that can rip or tear.

Source: www.thespruce.com