Repairs, Finishing off and progress on UFO's and Mending Part One

This is the post that should have been published on Saturday night.  Real life sort of got in the way a bit but here it is now, just some of what I have been up to in the background of everyday life.

Just to mention I started  working on these on Saturday 30 August 2025.  Initially instigated these projects to motivate myself in trying to get some lovely vintage items repaired/revamped/restored.  They are too nice to not do anything with at the end of the day and I hate waste. Plus as I do each room in the house it would be nice to have some of them out to use.

I thought that I would try and do a weekly post on items that I am dealing with in the house either repairing them and giving them a little TLC, finishing the item off making sure it is strung and framed properly, glass being replaced in some smaller picture frames by purchasing cheap frames from the CS shop and then re-cutting the glass to fit.  All these things are being dealt with of an evening or when I sit down and are separate to everything else that is going on in the house. Some of the items have also had a little work put into them already whereas some are still to be looked at.  Some items will take a lot more time than others and more money as they will need to be professionally looked at. I am prepared to invest a reasonable amount of money into my Great Aunt's Sewing table as it is for me a family heirloom.  Realistically it will probably cost more than the piece is worth but I am not really worried about the value just about preserving an important piece to my mind of family history and so that I can carry on a family tradition of making and crafting. 

Equally, crafting evenings will be slotted into the regime as well to break things up a bit and I shall continue to work on my UFO items as well as my crochet bedspread and other items. I have been working part squares or finishing some off when I have chance to sit down. Some of the pieces I am working may well become heirlooms for my family members in due course, (or realistically I would hope in a household that likes lovely things) however I enjoy having my hands busy and creating something as I go along. As I started working on these projects on a Saturday, I thought that Saturday night would be as good a night as any in which to post any updates.  I know that this post was finally published a week later than I had anticipated on Saturday night and would hope to keep Saturday night as an update night if and when I have anything to report moving forward.

I have so many lovely things in any event, but I want to make sure that they are all finished off and looking their best as well.  Some items will be put out on display but equally some will also be bubble-wrapped and packed away for the time being.  There are a lot of other things like vintage embroidered pictures that need restoration, by washing to remove grime and stains, drying, pressing, and then boarding and stringing and then framing.  I have a lot of these to tackle, and many of them need cleaning. There are needlepoints as well to be turned into framed pictures or other items and there are also cushion panels that have been worked and need making up into completed cushion covers with a lining and a back either buttoned or zippered.

Project One

One of the first things I want to have a look at is a Needlepoint covered foot stool.  

Before Photos

Notice the top right hand corner as you look at the picture is just empty.  The wooden peg leg goes into the corner.  I do have this.

One of its little legs on the underside has come unglued and it is a straightforward job and just needs a few minutes to address. It keeps getting overlooked though as I keep getting distracted with something else.  There is always something else and yet it should not take very long at all. That is therefore the first item on the list.  I then want to steam clean the foot stool and get it looking its best again.  This will go into the front room with the other foot stools I have including another smaller stool in the same pattern which will also get a similar clean.  That one is intact though.  Both of the stools also need a good proper Beeswax polish and any marks or scratches dealing with (probably with the aid of a Walnut).  So a little overall restoration really.

After Photos

In all honesty, I did not create the above stool I bought it second hand off of Ebay.  I think it is lovely, but interestingly enough, I do have the Needlepoint chart and colours in my stash, so should I wish to add some cushions in the same pattern or a few more stool covers I will have the option to do so.

Project Two

Before Photos

The second item, well it is an item that I had previously had a go at.  It does not look too bad,  however I am not quite happy with it.  Feel it can be finessed a little more.  I am therefore going to have another look at it and do a few tweaks.

It has been washed and cleaned, but I have decided that the frame needs a little TLC, as it is a little marked in places.  Then the glass needs cleaning and it very much needs a new mount.  I am going to order this and another mount in the course of the next week or so to make sure that these items are completed and out of the way with.  This picture was mounted onto acid free board when the initial attempt was made to frame it.  The back of the frame will then be paper taped to prevent dust etc. getting in from the rear.  Then the picture can either be hung up or bubble-wrapped to protect it and packed away for the time being.  This is one of several pictures on the same theme.

I have done a little search online to see what I can do with regard to the frame and this is the advice given:

To remove dents from a pine frame, you can try the following methods:

• Heat and Moisture: Use a clothes iron on a low setting to gently press on the dent. This can help lift the dent and restore the wood's surface. 

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• Wet Washcloth Method: Soak a washcloth in water, wring it out slightly, and place it on the dent. The water will wick through the wood, helping to lift the dent. 

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• Sanding: If the dent is deep, remove any paint or varnish first, then use fine sandpaper to slightly roughen the surface before applying a filler. 

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• Household Iron and Wet Towel: Use a household flat iron and a wet hand towel to gently press on the dent, which can also help lift it. 

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  These methods can effectively help restore the appearance of your pine frame.

I am therefore going to have a go at the frame using the above instructions.  I will then update this post further down the line.

Project Three

The next project is a broken picture frame. I think this is the project that has received the most work this week. Everything is there and I believe it is just a matter of cleaning the picture and putting a fresh mount in as well as mending the frame.  

However it transpired that when I got the picture dismantled it would appear that the damage to the picture is worse than first thought.  It was a home-framed piece and the "padder" between the backing frame and the actual cross stitch was a cut down Ready Brek packet.  The actual picture had been stapled onto a backing board and the staples had gone rusty and badly marked the fabric. So I am having to try and remove the rust stains as well. When I got the mount off there was damage underneath and really bad staining.  I have managed to get everything apart and now have the cross stitch panel itself soaking in cooled boiling water and an oxygen cleaning powder with a little soap powder as well.  Some of the staining is starting to come off but it may well need a couple of good soaks to get the picture cleaner and hopefully in a better picture all round.  Once it is clean enough, I will then send for a new mount, clean the frame up and remove any marks.  It is a dark frame so may well use a Walnut to assist with this and then polish it.  The glass will have to be cleaned properly as well before I then start re-structuring the cross stitch and the frame back together again.  I can but try and preserve this lovely piece of work especially as someone has spent so much time in working it in the first place.  Pictures like this also give a different feel and ambience to a room.  I have a lot of vintage pieces which I eventually hope once they have all been preserved, framed and the best made of them turn into a Gallery Wall.

I believe the design is a snap shot of the picturesque walk down to Clovelly Harbour (there is a Donkey with pannier in the front of the picture).  This is a walk I have done a couple of times as I really love this beautiful little place although last time it nearly killed me; scenic but a killer of a walk.  I believe that there is transport that will now take people down or up.  It has been a few years since I went there but have fond memories of staying in the area on holiday.

Before Pictures

Note the watermark in the bottom left hand corner on the mount.  Does not look too bad, but when I got the mount off the browning to the side was more extensive and would appear to be a massive stain.

How I got on with the restoration and the After Photos

I first of all popped the piece of work into a soaking solution as mentioned above.  The water is well frothy! Not a terribly good photo but the bubbles really came up high.

It was also well grotty after the first soaking.

What we started with for comparison

This is after the first soaking. It looks a lot more vibrant.

A lot of staining has come out of the bottom corner. I am going to order in a new mount. The mount should cover the rust staining in the same corner and so there should not be any of the remaining stain visible.  I have popped it back in for a second soak to see if it will make any difference.   Will probably then rub some rhubarb on the rust stain in the corner to see if that will help at all. Sometimes it is very good at lifting rust stains. Hopefully it does, but if it does not then that is the last soaking to be carried out. It will then be rinsed. I will then need to get the piece dry, by placing it face down into a thick towel and then letting it dry naturally. 

Well I tried the Roobarb, and on this occasion it has not helped. I have therefore rinsed the embroidered panel, and added a little fabric conditioner.  It is currently rolled up in a towel to soak out as much of the residual water as I can.  Tomorrow I will flatten it out into a clean dry towel face down and leave it to dry completely.

Work to be completed

Once dried, the picture will then need a good press on the reverse side to make sure that the stitches stand a little proud of the base material.  I will then re-mount with acid free board to fit the repaired frame.  This one will be a flat placement with a new mounting board which I will have to order online.  The glass will need cleaning up, and the picture then re-assembled with backing board and the frame then polished back up again.  I will then brown paper tape the back of the picture to try and stop the dust getting in from the rear of the picture which was a technique that used to happen as a matter of course when a picture was framed years ago.  So there are lots of little stages involved in restoring something, but I would rather restore than lose something like this.  Older items add their own aesthetic to a home. Something richer and warmer than newer items have and they were nearly always made with love; that you cannot buy.

The Revamped/Restored Picture

So far I am reasonably pleased with how this has turned out overall; something else that is in the process of being saved with a little bit of time and attention.  This project had had more time and attention than actual pennies spent on it.

Will be updated in the next instalment

Project 4

I then have an assortment of frames to glue back together, and also finish or touch up the exterior finish, and some of the glasses need replacing on those too.  There are quite a few of these.  Some are in another bag, but so far I have managed to find the pieces for two full frames, which both need glass. 

Work to be Done 

I plan on sourcing the glass from the CS shop from the cheapie frames box (often 50p to £1 in cost) to help keep the restoration costs down.  I now need to locate my glue gun,  I have a rough idea where it is for a change, just have to retrieve it.  

I will then take a few moments to sit down and then piece the frames back together.  This may take a little time.  I also want to try and re-enforce the back of some of the frames which are a bit fragile.

I think it is much better to use an old picture to reclaim the glass with a picture which is not necessarily attractive. I also tend to do this with pine framed pictures as well but these are for displaying some of the many vintage embroidery pieces I do have to restore and frame. I have been collecting them as I go along. I still have a long way to go on these though.  One day I intend to have a Gallery wall displaying all these vintage pieces.

Not started this one yet, but all the pieces of the frames are sorted and ready to go.

Project 5

Then I have a couple of very pretty tiny frames where one of them has lost its glass. I have some small Cross Stitch pieces which I think will look just fine in these as well as a couple of other pieces of cross stitch which are also in small frames which will blend well with these two.  

I have not started this project yet but it will be a quick one to achieve, once I have the bits and bobs needed.

Work to be Done

I am going to send for a glass cutter and some glass cutting oil in order to get this dealt with.  I will get G to show me how to cut the glass or at least have a go in order that I can for the future deal with things like this myself.  That is the plan.  I want to be a little more self-sufficient on items like this in order that I can deal with them when I find the time and without having to bother anyone else in the process.

*Project 6 and 7

This project may happen later on.  Am not sure whether going to have this done at the Glass Centre or whether to have a go at doing this myself.  Might go with the Glass Centre, will probably have to do one at a time, but I will make enquiries and see what the pricing is before I make a final decision.  I think it may be a little pricey for replacement mirrors.

The projects in question are a couple of vintage mirrors that the glass has been broken on and so those do need replacing.  

One of the mirrors is a 1960's brass wrought effect. It was in the front room of the lounge when I was growing up and then later on in my bedroom over my dressing table.  I really would like that one back up. I have several mirrors that need some TLC but the others will be covered under separate posts.  

I also have a small brass tilting mirror, which has lost its glass.  I am contemplating painting that cream though.  I may not but it is something I am considering as it will make a good small dressing table mirror.  I will only paint it if I am sure about it as trying to get paint off something after it has been painted is not always easy.  In retrospect and after considering it I think the room that this particular mirror will be will be better if it is left as the brass finish.

The second mirror is similar to this one.

*Project 8 and 9

I also have two vintage small sewing tables. These projects are going to cost a bit of money and so may be tackled one at a time.  One of the projects (My Great Aunty Ivy's sewing table) is not something I can do myself as some of the veneer needs repairing and certainly the silk lining needs some TLC.  and will need specialist help as G did a temporary glue job when it fell apart, so it does need looking at.

The Larger Sewing Table

The larger one belonged to my Great Aunt Ivy and it fell to pieces.  It really needs someone to restore it as it is the more precious of the two from my perspective even though it is not particularly valuable. The larger one is silk lined in green and that is where the greatest assistance is needed as it is slightly damaged.  It was however Great Aunty Ivy's box and I believe may have originally been my Great Grandmother's sewing box.  Great Aunty Ivy used to make some beautiful items and was especially gifted when it came to embroidery and crochet.  We have several of her handmade items still i.e. beautiful lace crocheted mats, embroidered tea table cloths, tray cloths, aprons etc.  

The Smaller Sewing Table

The other sewing box is a smaller version of the larger one and has a drawer in it.  I am going to have a look at this and I might attempt to have a go at this myself.  I would quite like to have a go, but it may be that this will at the end of the day require professional assistance as well. I think I bought it for £5 from the CS shop.  G at one point said that he would pay to get the larger box restored but this may be something I deal with and fund and get sorted myself. in the longer term as it has been some years since he said about this despite me asking and I really would like to get this done and in use again.

Project 10

There are also a couple of Decoupage flower pictures which are beautiful where the frames need patching back together and the glass needs replacing.  These are both Box framed items and they also need new mounts for both pictures.  Fingers crossed I can bring these two back to pristine condition.  I hope so as they are particularly nice.  I actually like working Decoupage projects as well.

There are no photos of these pictures at the moment as I cannot easily access them, however they are relatively easy to put right at the end of the day and that is why I wanted them on the list as a reminder to do them.

I shall therefore start on these  various projects and get as many of these done as I can in any one week, however in reality the projects will be done a bit at a time and their work will be at different stages.  So we shall see how we get on.  Even if only a couple of things get dealt with, that will be a few more things than had happened before.  In reality it may be that I will not post every week, but as we go into the Winter months it is something that I hope to tackle and keep up with as it will also help with the sorting out and organising of a lot of items in the back bedroom, which is also on the go in the background.

This is where I am therefore starting from, and will update on these items as I get through them.  Then update a progress report until all these items are sorted.  I will then post a new list of items that are going to be tackled i.e. taking a few at a time to make sure that they do get done and I do not end up with taking on too much overall.  That is the plan in any event.  I shall be backward and forward weaving between the projects when I have the time, supplies and more often or not the pennies to fund the supplies.  At least it is inching along a bit at a time though.

To tell the truth I am just so pleased to have made a start on these overlooked items.  It will be good to get as many as I can back into use again.  I have started work on several items, dealing piecemeal with the work I can deal with at any particular time until I come to a standstill when I need to wait for supplies to come in, in order that the project may be taken on that bit more or concluded.

NB: Items denoted with a * are items that I have highlighted as maybe being completed at a later date as both will be considered expenses which I will have to save up for.

Shopping List to finish off these projects

As a result of starting these projects I am starting to draw together a shopping list of items that I need to complete the projects.  The list thus far is as follows:

2 replacement Mirror panels cut to size

2 Replacement Picture Mounts

Rub n Buff in different colourways for touching up picture frames and also a couple of different mirrors.  More on that another time.

Replacement glass for picture frames going to source some cheap picture frames just for the glass.

A glass cutter

Glass cutter oil

Teak Oil  - needed for my two sewing tables.  Mum used to use it on my Great Aunt's Sewing Table to keep the colour dark but also give it a sheen.

I may have to wait until next month to arrange for some of these items, but I will see how things progress and in reality I will probably end up buying the items in matter of priority, i.e. which projects do not need too much on supplies to be concluded.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

x

P.S. Had trouble loading photos, will update when I can, if not on the next instalment.

PP