Lace curtains were the fashion "back in the day." Most folks just hung lace panels at the windows. Only the rich may have had a heavier drape too. Pull shades were usually at the windows under the lace curtains. Each pull shade was pulled by a crocheted cord attached to a ring which was crocheted to cover the ring.
The washing machine was the old wringer washer which could be used to hand wash the curtains by not running it. Using the wringer was not a good idea either, but after hand washing the lace curtains, the water was reused for the next load of white sheets. After rinsing in the separate rinse tub, the fragile wet lace was then carefully attached to a wooden frame. The frame was lined with little nails two to three inches apart. The lace was gradually stretched nail by nail as it was placed on the frame. The frame was also expandable to accommodate various sizes so it could also add a bit of stretch to the curtain. The curtain then air dried. Some curtains were also starched. When they were dry they could then be carefully folded into pleats lengthwise for a neater look.
I remember Mom not wanting help with this so it could be done just right without damaging the lace.
1 comment:
I know that this comment is terribly revealing of the generation gap, but I shall make it anyway. I'm so glad that, for now, I don't have to work hat hard to do laundry.
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