Saturday, November 12, 2016

BLC Day 12: Out, Damned Spot! Out, I Say!

If you read some of my past blog posts, you'll find that I'm often reevaluating the organization in my Sewing Room to improve its efficiency, which prompted me to recently reorganize my fabric stash.  As most sewing enthusiasts can attest, we often buy a length of fabric - or many lengths - with the plan to do "something" with it, and we then add it to the stash.  Additionally, we may be gifted or inherit, others - as was the case with this cotton print.



I shared that I learned how to sew from watching my mother, and this length of fabric is one I inherited from her stash.  I noticed an age-related stain along the fold line of this fabric and needed to find a way to remove it without damaging the fabric or fading the print.  Fearful of having my own Lady Macbeth moment, I decided to try a recommendation I learned about on - where else - Pinterest!!


Using equal parts of laundry detergent, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, I made a paste to apply to the stain down the center of the fabric, using an old toothbrush to work the solution into the fibers.

Is this the biggest bag of baking soda you've ever seen?!


I then laundered as usual, hoping the stain would come out.  Good news...it worked!!  No more age stain, and the fabric is still in good condition.  By the way, this paste works great on arm pit stains left on garments from antiperspirant use.


Before and After

In examining this fabric, I noticed one of the print motifs is a postal stamp dated 1965.  I wouldn't doubt at all if this fabric is that old.


Be blessed!

Aisha

4 comments:

  1. I am thrilled to pieces. I have a long cut of fabric in my stash that has several stains that I didn't notice when I purchased it a long time ago (Michael Levine Loft). I'm going to try this paste because I can't bring myself to throw this fabric away yet. Thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. This formula has really worked for me, especially around the armhole area which tends to be a stubborn spot. Please let me know how this works for you.

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