LOL! My, that's a lot of thread! Congratulations on being about half done. I like hearts and flowers motifs. I'll bet it's beautiful.

Sheila, I made a pineapple tablecloth some years ago, and kept records of how long each section took. The whole thing took me about 2-1/2 years to complete! Mostly because I would do a section and get bored with it and put it away for a while. Anyway, I admire your determination! You will be able to enjoy it for years to come once it's finished!

Well, I am planning for the day we will have grandchildren at the table and use all the leaves. DD is getting married this summer, so I think I have allowed plenty of time. I hope, I hope, I hope.

I think I can guarantee that family members will be impressed. Also scared to death that they'll spill.

How about a rule that only white wine is allowed when this cloth is used?

I have bleached the daylights out of my cloths to get red wine and cranberry stains removed. I can do it with this one too. I like to use Soil Love for organic stains, and then if that does not remove all of it, soak it overnight in 1 cup each of electric dishwashing detergent and laundry detergent in the lowest hot water setting on the washing machine. Sometimes I also add 1 cup of bleach. Gets everything out.

Sheila, that sounds really pretty and a lot of work. What an heirloom you are creating. I would be so scared to use it for fear of spills and stains, but it sounds like you know how to get them out. Would love to see a picture of the completed project.

Sheila, I have never heard of Soil Love, where do you purchase this? You have a unique way of treating stains....am always looking for something that works that won't ruin fabric. Thanks for the tip about dishwasher detergent!

Soil Love is sold in the grocery store where the Shout and other laundry stain treatments are sold. It comes in an ugly green squeeze bottle.

I read this recipe for laundry soaking as advice in the paper for stained holiday cloths. Usually you do not need to use the bleach to get everything out, and usually one overnight soak gets it. If the spot is still there when you pull it out of the washing machine, do not put it in the dryer, which makes removing a spot even more difficult. Instead, just soak it again, and this time use the full recipe with the bleach too. I use this on hopelessly stained clothing too, stuff I would not wear if I could not get the spot out. Saved most of those clothes.

5-12-05
Hi,
Maybe, a clear plastic sheet over your tablecloth will
protect it from spills and keep it nice & new looking for
years to come. Just a thought for you.

Sheila, When you use this on clothes are you using chlorine or the dry bleach? I'm just wondering if this can be used on colored clothes. Thanks

A little more info on Soilove.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cheapskate Monthly

I use Clorox, chlorine bleach. When I resort to using the bleach on colored clothes, I use it on something I am going to throw out because the spot is so bad. Usually, I have found the bleach does not damage the color. Sometimes it does though, and then I throw out what I was going to throw out anyway. So my advice is to use the bleach only if and because the spot remains after the non bleach treatment and if you would throw the item out. Try using the 1 cup of electric diswashing detergent with the lowest washing machine setting of hot water and 1 cup of laundry detergent for an overnight soaking first on colored items. Run the cycle in the morning. If that does not work, soak it again 12 hours with 1 cup of Clorox liquid chlorine bleach, 1 cup electric dishwashing detergent, and 1 cup laundry detergent in the lowest machine setting for hot water. Agitate the mixture a minute, add the clothes, agitate a minute, and then turn off the machine. The next morning, turn the machine back on and let it run a cycle.

I have used the non Clorox mixture to remove stains on stored baby clothes successfully too. You know those stains that were not there when you stored the clothes--but are then when you get them out for the next baby?

Thanks Ladies!

great idea JJKnitter!! just what i was thinking! just hose it off and you are good to go!! LOL