Try spraying your quilts with hairspray to keep them down.

Maureen
3/22/2004

Decorating of leather or "leather" can be done with good quality gold gel pens or..... Stamping. there are gazillions of rubbertamps, many have appropriate patterns.

Stamp on leather with gold pigment ink and W A I T to them to dry you can even "emboss" them with gold detail powder (requires a heat tool) although I have "set" embossing powder over my gas stove (tricky)

If you are new to stamping I suggest www.addictedtorubberstamps.com They have a huge website and ship quickly.

Dana
3/15/2004

Sandy's Lace and Trims (USA) http://sandyslace.com/retail.htm

Dollshouse Draper (UK) has a mail order catalog. Box 128, Lightcliff, Halifax, H3X 8RN, West Yorkshire, England. Graham Spedding Tel: (+44) 01422 201275.

Little Trimmings (UK) www.littletrimmings.com

Stitches in Miniature (USA) www.stitchesinminiature.com/fabrics.htm

Doll Artist's Workshop (USA) www.minidolls.com/cotton.shtml

Mini Graphics (USA) http://minigraphics.com/miniatures/

d. Anne Ruff (USA) www.danneruff.com

Judy
3/21/2004

A good way to make a Quilt lay straight over a bed without sticking out stiffly is to insert wires on the inside at each end of the quilt (top & bottom). When you lay it over the bed bend the ends down on the overhang & the wires will keep the overhang next to the sides of the bed so the overhang doesn't look like it's about ready to fly away. Also you can use straight pins instead that can easily be hidden to tack the corners down especially if you want to change quilts at any time and store the other folded in a trunk for example. This way the wire would never be in the way.

Brooke
3/21/2004

A tip for everyone who uses the glueing method when dressing dolls.

If you place a piece of brown paper between your material and your iron you can iron the seams dry and carry straight on to the next step without having to wait for the glue to dry!

Also, if you use fraycheck or fraystop (I'm not sure what you call it in the States), I have found that the new microtip applicators that are available are absolutely fantastic for applying a really fine line of fraycheck to the edges of tiny pattern pieces. The finer the line, the less the liquid bleeds into the fabric and the less likely you are to end up with a nasty stain!

Sue - 25 March 2004

To drape fabrics with wire, you might like to try magnet wire. It is copper so it works easily and is coated. It is available in several sizes at Radio Shack and similar stores.

Bill Heverly - 23 March, 2004

Efferdent false teeth cleaning tablets dissolved in water works quite well to take away stains and mildew. Efferdent is a mild bleach. The item may have to be soaked more that once. Another thing that is helpful is a solution of water and dishwasher detergent, (not dish soap) to soak and item overnight. It has caustic and some carbonates that help to remove stains. Last of all, use bright sunshine.

Diane - 25 March 2004

I have purchased a multitude of vintage clothing and laces for resale the last few years. I don't know if your able to get a product called OXY-CLEAN where you are. I use it all the time especially for mildew and yellowing of old fabrics and laces. I put about 1/4 cup in large bowl and use hot water to dissolve it, not much needed. Fill with cold to protect the fabrics. Put all laces and fabrics in and let them soak, sometimes for a full day. Rinse them well and allow to air dry flat. This results in very white and bright laces, etc.

Mary - 25 March 2004

I heard of this tip to whiten cloth a few years ago. I tried this on a little dress worn home from the hospital by my baby daughter that I saved for 39 years. It was yellowed from storage. This mix brought the dress back to like new and didn't fade the little pink embroidery.

Mix 1 part Dove liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 part Clorox2, the powder not the liquid. Add hot water and mix. Put in the item you want to clean and soak a few hours or overnight. If the item you have can handle boiling water, put the mixture and item in a pot and let it come to a boil then shut off the stove and let the item soak.

Pat - 26 March 2004

Used a baby's tiny sock to make doll's clothes. The toe becomes a hat, the ankle makes a nice skirt or can become slacks. The rest becomes the sweater bodice and sleeves.

Laurie Sisson
3 Mar 04