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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Northern Lights Lodge, post: 2380375, member: 13464&quot;]Hi again [USER=15656]@Starry[/USER] ,</p><p>Another delightful old piece! Yes, pity it is shredded! It is possible that it is silk - I can&#039;t tell from the photos. The black dyes were notorious for the acids eating away at the integrity of the fiber - no matter if it is cotton, linen, or silk!! </p><p><br /></p><p>Sadly, no saving the cancer of it; I&#039;ve tried repairing such pieces and there is just nothing &quot;solid&quot; to attach repairs to. My guess is that it is circa late 1800&#039;s. It is machine made. Those long running stitches in the floral design are a dead give-away. But yes, due to the bold - very black, splashy floral pattern (rather than something with shading and more open and airy)... I do feel like it has a Spanish flavor. It still may be mourning; but I&#039;d more inclined to say a church head covering...rather than a full mantilla.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>If you had any interest in trying to save it... my suggestions would be: either lay it out under glass or carefully cut out any motifs you might be able to salvage and frame under glass. </p><p><br /></p><p>The other possibility would perhaps give you some wear - but more work.&nbsp; Find some fine gauge tulle (not tutu netting)...but finer... black.&nbsp; Lay out this antique lace piece on top of a length of the tulle - large enough to back it completely. If necessary, pin it in a few key places - or lightly press it flat; using a damp pressing cloth between the lace and a warm iron - not too hot; you don&#039;t want to scorch it and LOL... you&#039;ll be able to smell the dye then...PeeUuu. </p><p><br /></p><p>Then lay another piece of black tulle over the top - to cover it completely. Remove pins from between layers as you go; but then pin the top layer to the lower 2 layers. Depending on how sure you are of your machine stitching skills - either baste around EACH of the design elements with black thread or baste with a longer sewing machine stitch. After going around the whole perimeter of the antique piece...you could probably leave a little seam allowance and then cut away any extra tulle and either zig zag or use seam binding along the outer edge. It would still remain very fragile; but it could be used as a head covering or wrap for an occasion or two.</p><p><br /></p><p>The chemical damage to this lace is truly unrepairable. It would probably disintegrate completely if you tried to wash it (even encased in the tulle).</p><p>Therefore; if you can utilize it in any way; it is preferable to pitching it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks for sharing. </p><p>PS...if you do decide to encase in tulle... you&#039;ll have to let us know how it turns out! </p><p>Cheerio,</p><p>Leslie[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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