Monday, April 20, 2009

Blue Monday - Vintage Hand Towel

Today for Blue Monday I am going to show some pictures of a embroidered Vintage Hand Towel with a Blue Bird on it.
This Hand Towel is very old, and its all stained yellow with age, but what makes this piece so special to me is that this is the first piece that my Mom ever embroidered when she was a teenager.

I would love to take the yellow out of this, so if anyone can give me a tip on doing so without taking away any of the color in the embroidery threads, please let me know.

Don't forget to go visit Ms Sally at Smiling Sally's Blog for more Blue Monday posts!

16 comments:

  1. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind comment! I'm not an expert AT ALL, but there's a blueing rinse you can buy called "Mrs. Stewart's Blueing Rinse". But please research everything you can before attempting anything on such a pretty and special item such as this. :O)

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  2. I just checked one of my books with Granny tips.
    Try dipping the towel in Buttermilk, let it dry in the sun and then wash it with cold water.
    Best of Luck for this beautiful piece!

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  3. I just recently used oxyclean on a vintage dresser scarf that my deceased mother embroidered and I couldn't believe how beautifully it turned out. It had marks on it in a rust color and was not yellow but the coth appeared darkened. I soaked it several times over night in oxyclean. Oxyclean doesn't hurt the fabric and it didn't hurt the embroidery either. The fabric is bright now. Next I am going to try to remove stains (with that great oxyclean) two of my baby dresses my paternal grandmother made over 60 years ago. I also used the oxyclean on some vintage embroidered dish towels that were yellowed and had good success with brightened them up too.

    Teacup Lady (Sandy)

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  4. They're lovely.
    Go to http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/
    She's demonstrated something not too long ago. Check it out. Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday.

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  5. I love antique linens.... very pretty.

    Happy Blue Monday

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  6. How pretty, especially with its sentimental value.

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  7. Very sentimental. Thank you for sharing and enjoy your Blue Monday.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  8. Hi Anne, love your delicate and lovely towel.

    Happy Blue Monday.

    Barb

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  9. That is so sweet. I hope you can get the yellow out...
    Love your header!!

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  10. Hello Anne, I so love the bluebird cross stitch your mom sewed. So sweet. One word. OXYCLEAN. soak for as long as it takes and it won't harm the towel. Good luck.

    Hugs...Jeanne

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  11. I did some soaking recently with Oxyclean too. Did a post on it recently. One thing I would do different, wear gloves. Even though the fabric came out fine, my hands were a mess. Also you could start with a weak solution too and go from there. I am now caught up on your blog again. Hooray! On to the next one.

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  12. That is such a special little towel. It is beautiful.

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  13. Hi Ann
    I did a naughty thing the other week, I bought a gorgeous old piece of stained linen.....I washed it (gentle cycle) in truck wash, it came out sparkling, like new! Truck wash is my new best friend.
    Rose

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  14. Very sweet Ann! How is your gardening going? Sure is hot, isn't it!

    Hugs!
    Maryjane

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  15. Very beautiful embroidery work!! I love it.

    I would also recommend OxyClean. I have used it a lot and it doesn't hurt anything.

    Happy 2ndTAT!

    Linda C

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  16. I vintage hand towels and this one is very sweet with the little birdy on it.

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