Fab fabric Frames (& a holler for help)

Remember that glorious load of kimono remnants I snagged in exchange for a copy of my book-baby?

…here’s my latest kawaii creation:

two lovely frames worthy of displaying my refashioning heroines (Grandma & Tante Uschi)

Grab some scraps & make your own (& help me solve a vintage fabric dilemma)…

Simply decoupage some purty silk fabric scraps onto a couple of old photo frames…too easy! *to create the spirally flowers twist up some scrappy strips, bust out the hot glue gun & try not to burn the crap out of your fingers while sticking ’em onto the frame(s)…

See those bits of gorgeousness up there? A sliced length of what could only have been an obi belt & the sleeve of a toddler size kimono, both hand-painted silk. My idea was to combine these 2 lurvlies into a pretty little shoulder bag however, when I deconstructed the sleeve I discovered…

…a few fossilized friends embedded in the padded lining…ew…but unfortunately the understandable risk that comes along with vintage fabrics. I gloomily trashed the beautiful scrap & any other similar bits I found in the box…sigh…

Right…onto my holler for help:

Stunning as these bits of kimono are they all have that rather pungent musty-mildewy-moldy odor that accompanies vintage fabric. The few bits I’ve attempted to wash became house-fleeingly-foul as soon the water hit them…

I’ve tried white vinegar, baking soda, salt & heat all to no avail and am loath to use any sort of chemical detergents as the fabrics are all delicate hand-painted silks…any suggestions?

I’d love to be able to use these gorgeous bits for more than just ‘unwashable’ projects…

any ideas for other never-get-wet creations are more than welcome as well!

Update: 

Success! I managed to remove the moldy mildew & freshen the fabric with this 4 step formula

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