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Help please-reinforced Battenburg tape lace
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<p>[QUOTE="Northern Lights Lodge, post: 7698683, member: 13464"]Well, I see what you are planning. Ultimately, I think you are planning something difficult... possible...but difficult. I worked in the Bridal industry for over a decade and we saw ALL sorts of alterations... changing gowns, altering old to update and whatnot... so I'm coming to you not only as a professional lacemaker - but also as a seamstress.</p><p><br /></p><p>My suggestions... if coffee doesn't do the trick try tea. And I'd try a length of thread in each bath to see what you think works better. In those sample tests you can try strengths, timing and tweek the dye batch with other things that may change the color a little like "grape juice".</p><p><br /></p><p>As for strengthening the lace. You probably could back it with tulle. I mean bridal tulle - not tutu netting. I don't think it would show but it would take some work to baste it around everything. By putting a fine netting behind it; it should stop accidental hooking a toe in the lace, it also would add strength to the lace and take some of the stress off the lace fibers. You probably could even use several layers. It also would give you a way to make some small mends (by tacking/basting) weak areas of the lace to the tulle. They also make a lovely, very, very fine cotton mesh. I have purchased it through Yoder's... spendy, but worth it. To do this I'd lay the lace flat and back it with the tulle... round shape. No need to hem the tulle - it doesn't ravel. If you use the cotton tulle - I don't think you'd need the black fabric; as the cotton tulle is fairly substantial.</p><p><br /></p><p>And will the lace fullness on the sleeves - which lays back toward the elbow "fall" over the hand when being worn? Or are you planning on tacking the "top of the scallop" to the sleeve fullness? Just food for thought.</p><p><br /></p><p>As for backing the lace in black fabric: I'd be sure it is very well washed and won't bleed if you are going to use it as a somewhat permanently attached "dust ruffle /back splash" (for lack of a better words). </p><p><br /></p><p>Apparently, you do desire this entire garment to fall to floor length, which is why you are wanting to back it with black fabric... so it will be protected. </p><p><br /></p><p>I am curious (as it isn't clear in the photos) ... does the fullness of the hem of the alb; match the fullness in the very top edge of the lace. It "looks" like there is more fullness in the alb; in which case I think you will get a draping effect with the lace (as the lace looks quite heavy) instead of it laying flat at the upper hem of the lace. I understand that the bottom of the lace is much fuller as it was "round" in it's previous life.... so if you are going to use snaps to attach the black backed lace; and perhaps this is what you intend; you may have gapping. </p><p><br /></p><p>Am I seeing that the top edge of the lace is slightly scalloped? Hmm...if so, hard not to have it gap...</p><p><br /></p><p>IF, the bottom hem edge of the alb and the top edge of the lace "match" in fullness. I honestly think that it would be easier to hand baste the fabric backed lace to the hem of the alb. From the back side you could use a different light color "more substantial" thread and just catch the black fabric/lace from the back and take the next stitch about an 1" from the previous one. It then would be quite easy to remove and replace after laundering. </p><p><br /></p><p>Will the black backing be cotton? Are you planning on laying the circular lace on the piece of black fabric and just attaching the top hem of the lace to the fabric, then cutting the hem of the black to match the length of the lace - OR are you making a straight "curtain" of black fabric (guestimate of 15" x 60" rectangular strip) and just attaching to the top hem of the lace? The reason I ask, again, has to do with how the lace will drape over the black. I feel that it will lay and "move" better if the black backing matches the shape of the lace. I think in both instances, I'd use a very lightweight cotton, more like batiste which will drape well and be lighter in weight.</p><p><br /></p><p>Another suggestion. The above info re: snaps or basting the lace to the hem of the alb refers to lace attachment to the OUTSIDE of the alb. Is that what you are planning?</p><p><br /></p><p>An alternate suggestion may be to attach it to the inside hem of the alb. I don't know if that would create more issues or less; but again, perhaps food for thought. It may give you an opportunity to avoid "gapping" and be able to move the lace "up" a little to match the fullness of the alb?</p><p><br /></p><p>I dare say that none of this is a "have it done in a few hours" task. But, I think it is possible with some planning and forethought. Since it is in your lap, you ultimately know what you wish to accomplish and how you want it to look finished! I'm sure that your Grandmother would be pleased to see her work used in such a special manner for it's "next life".</p><p><br /></p><p>Good luck and of course, we'd all love to see your progress...</p><p>Cheerio,</p><p>Leslie[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Northern Lights Lodge, post: 7698683, member: 13464"]Well, I see what you are planning. Ultimately, I think you are planning something difficult... possible...but difficult. I worked in the Bridal industry for over a decade and we saw ALL sorts of alterations... changing gowns, altering old to update and whatnot... so I'm coming to you not only as a professional lacemaker - but also as a seamstress. My suggestions... if coffee doesn't do the trick try tea. And I'd try a length of thread in each bath to see what you think works better. In those sample tests you can try strengths, timing and tweek the dye batch with other things that may change the color a little like "grape juice". As for strengthening the lace. You probably could back it with tulle. I mean bridal tulle - not tutu netting. I don't think it would show but it would take some work to baste it around everything. By putting a fine netting behind it; it should stop accidental hooking a toe in the lace, it also would add strength to the lace and take some of the stress off the lace fibers. You probably could even use several layers. It also would give you a way to make some small mends (by tacking/basting) weak areas of the lace to the tulle. They also make a lovely, very, very fine cotton mesh. I have purchased it through Yoder's... spendy, but worth it. To do this I'd lay the lace flat and back it with the tulle... round shape. No need to hem the tulle - it doesn't ravel. If you use the cotton tulle - I don't think you'd need the black fabric; as the cotton tulle is fairly substantial. And will the lace fullness on the sleeves - which lays back toward the elbow "fall" over the hand when being worn? Or are you planning on tacking the "top of the scallop" to the sleeve fullness? Just food for thought. As for backing the lace in black fabric: I'd be sure it is very well washed and won't bleed if you are going to use it as a somewhat permanently attached "dust ruffle /back splash" (for lack of a better words). Apparently, you do desire this entire garment to fall to floor length, which is why you are wanting to back it with black fabric... so it will be protected. I am curious (as it isn't clear in the photos) ... does the fullness of the hem of the alb; match the fullness in the very top edge of the lace. It "looks" like there is more fullness in the alb; in which case I think you will get a draping effect with the lace (as the lace looks quite heavy) instead of it laying flat at the upper hem of the lace. I understand that the bottom of the lace is much fuller as it was "round" in it's previous life.... so if you are going to use snaps to attach the black backed lace; and perhaps this is what you intend; you may have gapping. Am I seeing that the top edge of the lace is slightly scalloped? Hmm...if so, hard not to have it gap... IF, the bottom hem edge of the alb and the top edge of the lace "match" in fullness. I honestly think that it would be easier to hand baste the fabric backed lace to the hem of the alb. From the back side you could use a different light color "more substantial" thread and just catch the black fabric/lace from the back and take the next stitch about an 1" from the previous one. It then would be quite easy to remove and replace after laundering. Will the black backing be cotton? Are you planning on laying the circular lace on the piece of black fabric and just attaching the top hem of the lace to the fabric, then cutting the hem of the black to match the length of the lace - OR are you making a straight "curtain" of black fabric (guestimate of 15" x 60" rectangular strip) and just attaching to the top hem of the lace? The reason I ask, again, has to do with how the lace will drape over the black. I feel that it will lay and "move" better if the black backing matches the shape of the lace. I think in both instances, I'd use a very lightweight cotton, more like batiste which will drape well and be lighter in weight. Another suggestion. The above info re: snaps or basting the lace to the hem of the alb refers to lace attachment to the OUTSIDE of the alb. Is that what you are planning? An alternate suggestion may be to attach it to the inside hem of the alb. I don't know if that would create more issues or less; but again, perhaps food for thought. It may give you an opportunity to avoid "gapping" and be able to move the lace "up" a little to match the fullness of the alb? I dare say that none of this is a "have it done in a few hours" task. But, I think it is possible with some planning and forethought. Since it is in your lap, you ultimately know what you wish to accomplish and how you want it to look finished! I'm sure that your Grandmother would be pleased to see her work used in such a special manner for it's "next life". Good luck and of course, we'd all love to see your progress... Cheerio, Leslie[/QUOTE]
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Help please-reinforced Battenburg tape lace
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