AUQuilter

On Saturday, I stopped by the thrift store to drop off donations. Right as I walked in, there was a large crocheted thing all tossed in a section where it didn't belong. It smelled and was yellowed but it called my name. I don't have a rectangular table but it is super large and I am planning on using it as a bed coverlet. After giving it a soaking, washing and finally a bleaching (yes, I admit that I finally had to bleach it to get two stubborn and unrelenting stains out) and now it is hanging outside in the sun on drying rack. I wanted to show you and ask in the second picture -how would you fix that gaping hole or all 6 of these holes? Thanks for your help.

Tartan

Is the crochet cotton broken or just stretched? If broken, I would use and needle and thread and hand stitch the thread so it doesn't pull out any further. If you plan to use it as a cover on your bed I would just put a solid colour bedspread on first, lay the lace over top so you could see all the lovely lace pattern.

owlvamp

I would pull the yarn back in place and tie it.its beautiful.

SouthPStitches

Its beautiful. Just think of the time and love that went into crocheting with this cotton. My Gram used to make crocheted bedspreads. I still have three of her spreads.

Prism99

Absolutely stunning!

Jan in VA

I've used a crochet piece like this for a bed cover, too, and also as a draped head board, a canopy over the bed, and a window drape/swag. Yours is really lovely!

Jan in VA

NJ Quilter

I'd either hand stitch as close to the original pattern as possible or if there is enough loose cotton, pull into shape and tie off. Beautiful piece.

Needles

It's a beautiful piece of handiwork, can see why it called to you. If you find something like that in the future, and are queazy at using bleach, fill the washer with water, and pour in a cup of 20 Mule Team Borax. Swish it to get it somewhat dissolved and do it a number of times over a few hours. Then put soap in and wash it. I've saved many an article with the borax, not hard on your hands or damaging to the 'old' crochet cotton. Our son has a Tshirt made of, all things, 100% polyester, white with blue motif. Every year when he comes home, I 'whiten' it for him, with Borax and he is tickled he can wear it again. Men sometime toss everything together, this picks up the water being pulled through the washer holes, and has circles all over it. Plus it yellows terribly. He just took it home, white again.

jamsbuying

What a wonderful 'find'!

cpcarolyn

Have no idea how to fix but it is beautiful. Great find.