removing transfer marks

[craftycat]

I've just finished a piece of cutwork embroidery, on linen. Usual blue transfer dye, it was a very old piece I inherited from a shop that closed in the early 60s!

Having problems getting the transfer marks out though. At the moment soaking it in a mix of warm water, detergent and Vanish.

Any tips greatly appreciated. I could use bleach if necessary as the thread and linen are both natural colour.

[craftycat]

Panic over. Eventually got shot of the blue ink.

First treatment. Neat Vanish. Then long soak in warm water, detergent and more Vanish.

Second treatment. Soak for an hour in a mix of bleach and dishwasher powder with hot water.

Wouldn't recommend that if coloured threads had been used though.

[jenty]

Glad you were successful in the end - especially after all your hard work

[LoobyLou]

I would have been panicking if that had been me. Glad you got it sorted

[craftycat]

Thanks girls. I was panicking believe me. I've got several of these cut work designs and had planned to do one (a waterlily design) in different colour threads. Won't risk that now in case I have to do the bleaching again.

I tried to take a photo of the mat I've made but it doesn't come out at all well. Will keep experimenting!