A Stitch in Time

 

After drying in the sun, many of my newly found cross stitch projects were badly stained. They got soaked overnight in a vinegar solution and then spot cleaned with some Oxi Clean. I sat in the sun to dry and I was surprised how well most of those 30 year old stains faded. What a difference.

When they were dried I had a pile of wrinkly samplers to iron. 

I couldn't believe how many there were. I have no idea where I got the time for all this stitching with three little kids. I can barely find the time now. I was really happy to find this one. It was on the living room wall of our old house. It's in pretty bad shape but I can work around it. 

I had the bad habit of stapling or thumb tacking my work to the backing boards and you can see all the rust marks. My other go to was masking tape. Up in the hot attic it baked into the fabric which also left marks.

I also have no idea why all these ends are flying all over the place. Did I not know how to weave in all that loose thread? Who knows. I don't even remember making any of these things. This one says 1984. That was a long time ago.

I do remember this one. I remember thinking this was the hardest thing I'd ever stitched and I never wanted to do fill work again. 

I am beyond tickled that I found all the little things I had made for the kid's rooms way back when. I have no idea what I am going to do with all of them now but I'm glad I have them. Even if they live the rest of their lives in a drawer at least I know they are safe.