I was wondering if I could do something similar (or maybe exactly the same as you). For all my 10 ...
I do not own a dryer and simply hang the Aida on a cloth horse.
I should have specified that I wash on the machine the tissue before stitching it! In order to protect the Aida in the machine, I put it into a pillow case, so that it wont get stuck on other items.
As for the finished projects, I wash it by hand: I put it in a luke warm water bassin with shampoo or special soap for wool, gently stirr, let it in the water for about 30 min, then rinse abundantly. I do not twist the tissue but press it to eliminate as much water as I can then hang it till almost completely dry. I iron it on the back side only (so as not to flatten the stitches), exactly as R Lee does, on a towel and with medium warm iron. I do actually steam iron it and never had problems with the colour of the threads staining the tissue.
Hope this help.
B.
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I havent used any of the metallic threads, but I DO have some lovely, expensive hand-dyed I am fussing over on how to treat it. I am a little ticked at 123stitch. They send a charles craft fabric (the kind in the plastic tube) in the mail and the tube was (of course) crushed with a little damage to the fabric since it was only a padded envelope that had been ripped in the mailing. I do wish they had taken it out of the tube to mail it.
When my aida cloth has hard folds I usually soak in a mixture of fabric softener and cold water for one hour then iron using steam and a press cloth. If that doesnt work to remove the folds I dampen again a place on a cookie sheet into the freezer for one hour then iron again with a press cloth. The reason for the press cloth when ironing is to prevent the aida from scorching. Hope this helps you as it has always helped me. Happy stitching
:D Wetting the cloth + adding good old fashioned pressure is just the right thing before stitching!
Starch in cloth is to keep the holes open and the fabric neat while in the shop for a long period of time.
After stitching just wash it and the starch comes out.
Holes are more closed now too.
Just iron it from the back while still a little damp.
Pressure from the iron onto the fabric is more important than a high temperature setting.
In general its better not to use fabric softener or starch on finished pieces:
those chemicals can have a negative effect on the natural fibres over a longer period of time. It can even make them desintegrate.
But its never a problem with a bit of embroidery on e.g. a childs clothing ofcourse.
I have stitched on 100% cotton aida for years. Before I start stitching I always wash with liquid soap then rinse well and in a final rinse use ONLY a tablespoon of fabric softener then iron using a pressing cloth and hot steam iron. I have never had a problem with the aida. I do find the fabric softener helps eliminate the folds. I also repeat the process after my work is complete and have had no issues with thread bleeding but I ONLY use DMC branded thread.
chekccard