Staining and aging are ways of making your new piece of stitchery look old and, well…primitive. The idea is to eliminate the crisp new look of the material and give it a timeworn, much handled appearance. Depending on your own preference, you can use aging techniques to make subtle changes, or drastically alter the appearance of your project. The degree of antiquing will depend partly on the technique you use, and partly on how intensely you go at it.

First, ask yourself which look appeals the most to you. Do you enjoy the extremely primitive look with heavily stained fabrics that are tattered and torn? This would be more the look of an old homemade rag doll that has been much loved and played with over the years, then perhaps abandoned in an old attic until being recently uncovered. Imagine years of handling and mis-handling, as well as a good helping of dust and dirt, some water damage, and maybe even a few mouse nibbles around the edges.

If thinking about that scenario makes you want to rush right out and buy a box of Biz to soak that little dolly clean, then mend and press her clothes; perhaps the extreme primitive look is not right for you.

Perhaps you are drawn to the look of the sampler that was just discovered in an old trunk in the basement. It was obviously worked many years ago, perhaps hung for years in a sunny parlor or bedroom. The fabric has darkened a little, the colors are slightly faded. At some point it was packed away in the old trunk, too precious to be discarded but no longer in fashion. Unfortunately, there might be a little water stain or two, but all those imperfections tell the story of its history.

If you love the look of character and history this scenario implies, perhaps the moderate look is right for you. Still, if that box of Biz is calling your name, better look for a more subtle approach to your aging techniques.

Personally, I prefer what I like to think of as "my Grandma's." If it reminds me of my Grandma, I love it. Grandma would have loved Biz, if it had been invented in her lifetime. I think of her dishtowels made from old flour sacks. They were soft and worn (because they dried the best) and a few tiny holes were acceptable, but stains were not tolerated. If they were embroidered pieces, they were never bleached because that would take the color out of the stitches; therefore they had a wonderful soft color that came from years of using and washing. Nothing was ever discarded before it was completely used up, which fortunately meant that when she died, her kitchen drawer still held a few of those old dishtowels. I have used some of Grandma's dishtowels to made samplers, and they are among my very most favorite.

The look you prefer will depend on a lot of things: your personal history, the décor of your home, and maybe just a gut instinct or desire for a certain time or place lost to history. Sometimes the piece itself dictates the look. Whatever style you like, you will be able to achieve using a variety of techniques. Feel free to experiment and find your own look. And guess what? It's OK to change your mind. Try one look for one piece, another look for a different piece. Most of all, RELAX and have fun. For the most part, the staining techniques are reversible by simply washing the piece. So have fun and enjoy creating your own heirlooms.

Copyright 2004 Catholic at Heart