Featured Sampler help needed.

In 1936, or thereabout, my grandmother made a large, very lovely, sampler of The Lord's Prayer. Recently it had been stored in a closet, and apparently the wood frame (dark) has bled into the fabric.

The material upon which the sampler was worked is apparently not the usual linen, but something much finer. I don't have access to it, but I remember it as being whiter than the usual. (Not that that is much help!)

Can anyone suggest a remedy for this problem?

Thanks to all you needlers!

 

Would that be a dark wax, furniture polish maybe?

It isn't lace but I wonder if @Northern Lights Lodge has an idea anyway.
@judy , any ideas?
There was also a lady who restored old wedding dresses, she probably came across quite a few stain problems, can't remember who though.

 

Thanks, AJ. I am guessing here, but I think it is more likely the color of the wood itself, rather than something topical.

My grandmother had more mahogany in her house than the Met!

 

So we need advice on tackling a mahogany stain.
I wonder what would cause wood to leave a stain. Was it damp in the closet? If so, it would be good to address that too.

 

Oh... that sounds like quite a problem. I'm not sure what I'd suggest. I don't know of anything that might bleach out a wood oil. I did a little checking on line - suggestions were that if you caught it early; perhaps mineral spirits on a swab or acetone. Vinegar was also suggested. I'm not sure I'd suggest anything except vinegar; and that well rinsed afterwards!
Is it in a very obvious location? Can it be matted in such a way that the mat can cover the stains?
Good luck to you!
Leslie

 

My mother has a lot of old textiles, especially doll clothing. She has often used a soak that is made for vintage textiles. This is not the one she uses, probably, but it does mention removing wood stains from fine fabrics: https://vintagetextilesoak.com/index.php

I think my mother had a recipe and made her own soak, but in recent years she bought something at an antique show that she likes.

The question I have about your item is whether the threads used in the embroidery are colorfast and able to be put into liquid without running.

 

Unfortunately, I would also worry about the ground fabric when cleaning as well... could it be silk?

 

@Silverthorne is there any way you can get some photos?

 

Unfortunately, I can't offer one.

Seeing a photo might be helpful leading in to a solution.

 

Whew! Didn't think anyone wanted to approach this sticky wicket. Thanks all!

1) Will see if I can get the owner of the sampler to post a picture.

2) Colorfast? I have no idea; but 1936 worries me.

3) I don't think the ground fabric is silk, more like the material that was used for baby clothes at the time, the ones made in the Phillipines. (BWDIK)

4) Will check out the "vintage soak." (Such an elegant little ad!)

 

That would be a fine cotton batiste.

 

I would worry about the embroidery floss bleeding also. If you are going to tackle it - you might want to check into how to "set" the dye in the embroidery floss first. I wonder if dry cleaning would work?? I'm no expert on dry cleaning; but perhaps you could ask a local professional what they think.
Leslie