Originally Posted by ginnie6
Ginnie,
I would be concerned that "machine applique" would look odd if your Grandmother did her applique by hand. I think you've got some great advice already, but try the vinegar & baking soda thing first. If that fails, then I would carefully clip Sue off her background and re-stitch her to a new background, using the same technique Grandma used. If you think she calls too much attention to herself now, she's bound to call even more to herself if you use a "foreign" technique to re-apply her.
I would also be worried that perhaps machine applique here might damage Sue herself even more. If the fabrics are fragile, all that piercing by a machine
might damage her beyond salvation.
Just my thoughts, but I'm confident that you will eventually come up with the right solution to your problem.
Good Luck!
Odessa