How to remove old flour sack markings
I have a set of lovely turned edge then buttonhole stitched appliqué Sunbonnet Sue blocks made by my grandmother, almost surely from the 1930s. They are on a very thin muslin backing, and a few of them have some very faint lettering showing up on one end where there are seam needle holes (bag seams?). I think the markings are from old flour sacks that were designed to washout so women in the depression could use the fabric. I have very gently soaked the squares for 4 days in Biz per Martha Pullen’s recommendations for heirloom items, but the markings still show. I have enough blocks to use for my current quilt without the ones with lettering, but I would like to use them all eventually. Suggestions?
BTW, the Biz worked wonders on the frankly dirty and yellowed fabrics. I have used this on table and bed vintage linens too, and it is great stuff. It just didn’t do anything to the printing.