Sheila, this is a wonderful thing that you are doing and I know he will appreciate it. I found setting real deadlines got me crazy. About 25 years ago I wanted to finish two crocheted shawls for Mothers Day - it got so bad that I calculated how many inches each day I had to crochet to get them finished. I finally said when they were done I would give them to our moms - they received them the middle of June that year since I took the pressure off myself. These are still in use today as they were passed on to other family members when our moms died. I am sure he will be thrilled to receive it whenever you finish it.

Remember, though...tea dying won't cover up spots...they'll just get incrementally darker, and still 'read' as spots...you need to remove the spots or at least lighten least lighten them. I'd suggest you treat them with something like Nancy's Vintage Soak, which is made for fine linens and silks....it will certainly NOT harm cotton as it's made for fabrics 'too precious' to bleach. (Some spots take up to 3 days to be removed, but I've had very good luck with it).

Thanks for the suggestion, Sandra. Where do you buy it?

I opened up the box, and this is what I discovered. The motifs are made with what looks to be size 10 thread, though the pattern calls for a size 20. It has been washed, and the stains are there because I think she used it on a smaller table as is. So now I need to really study it, and then getting the gauge right will also entail washing the sample to allow it to shrink too and then see if it is the same size. It is made of a cream colored cotton thread, and I don't see that in size 10 in our local stores, only a white and a deeper ecru. But I guess I will start shopping around to see what I can find. This is becoming even more challenging.

Sheila, I ordered it somewhere online...don't remember where, but you often find it in better quilting shops, too......and, it would be good to 'work' on them before you continue. In lieu of Nancy's...if you can't find it...I'd try waterless handcleaner (the white goo mechanics wash their hands with..but NOT the one with pumice...too abrasive). Work in well into the spot, back and front so you get it well through the whole thing.... let it sit for at least 20 minutes, and then wash. You may need to do this several times....it works with the most recalcitrant spots! (after all, this isn't really fragile fabric, like silk....it's cotton, so you should be able to really WORK on the spots.) But, any spot left will just be darker, if you tea dye the whole thing later, so it's good to get them out now....or at least lessen the darkness of the spots.

I have also used the "Goop" for stains and it works well. I remembered though that when the kids were babies, there were always those stubborn spit-up stains. A friend suggested and I tried it (it worked!) - soak the garment in a solution of warm water and dishwashing powder plus a tablespoon of bleach. I used the bleach sometimes but not on most colors - I only used the dishwashing powder and the warm water. To this day, (kids are now 29 & 31) I use this to get rid of stubborn stains. I also use it to soak those roasting pans that have baked on gunk! You may want to try this on one of the motifs and see how it works. Brand is not important. I use the tabs in my dishwasher but I always have some store brand/sale powder in the house for soaking.

I have done the same, Susan. When all else fails, good ole Cascade works. That is how I get my holiday tablecloth white again if I have stubborn stains.

sheila, you did not mention if the table cloth is rectangle or round. could you just put the motifs together that you have already and then finish the cloth from there with what other materials you can find to use. thanks, vicki

I think Vicki's idea is a very good one, as I doubt you'll ever be able to match the old with the new colored thread...so, far better to use the old together, as the center of the cloth, and then use a obviously differently colored thread to create the surrounding, new addition...so, don't try for a 'close' match...I figure it's be noticeable..if the center is off white, use a light tan in the new thread....in the same color family, but VERY different.

The motifs are connected as you make them. She connected the motifs in a kind of jagged or incomplete circle and used the cloth and laundered it. I have to mend it where thread has torn in the chains of "webbing" that connect the motifs. I bought cream thread, and I hope it won't look too bad. I will mark her motifs in colored thread and make them the center of the rectangular cloth. I may skip the tea dying and let him decide if he wants to do it and include instructions.

I ordered thread, found one that will work, made sample motifs and washed and dried them to shrink to see how well I can match her gauge. She crocheted very, very tightly, so I am using a much smaller hook and making the stitches as tight as I can.

I am now ready to go. Took a break to make some Baby Surprise Jackets and a layette for a new baby. I will let you know how it is going.

Well, I backed up after discovering the thread I thought would work was a lot darker, which is ok, but it was not as thick as the thread his mom used. Now, after consulting him, I am making the new motifs in white thread which is a better match for the thickness of hers. Both are size 10, but threads do vary a lot at that. I hope to have it done without too many interruptions, but I think that is a pipe dream.

Just cling to the thought that this is a GOOD thing you are doing for this young man. It's a priceless gift!

Annie