The best way to wash your work after finishing?

Allura

Hello!

Im wanting to pick a few minds here and hope to find some good suggestions.  :)  

My current project is a lovely pattern on 28 count Evenweave.  Ive never worked with the fabric before, nor on as large of a project as I am now, but as its a gift for my Grandmother, Im wanting advice.  My white thread is starting to turn a wee bit dingy from my working on it, not horribly so, but enough that I want to wash my project before having it framed.

Can any of you recommend your best washing method, whether it be technique or specific soap, to bring your work back to life?

I welcome all responses, and thank you in advance for your shared knowledge!  :D

Cakey

I find that the safest way to wash any project is to hand wash it with mild dish detergent and lukewarm water , then lay it flat to dry . Ive heard many use the brand Dawn since it is gentle enough for animals , then it should be gentle enough for our projects ! ;P

LouAnna

I use Zero by Woolite as its made for woolens and other delicate fabrics.  I wash my projects in luke warm water and you can let it soak a bit and rinse, rinse, rinse until the rinse water is clear.........dont wring it out........ gently squeeze the fabric to get the excess water out, roll in a thick towel and sqeeze it again to absorb the excess water and lay it flat to dry.  Press with an iron when it is damp or use a damp press cloth to take the creases out.   Press on a thick towel wrong side up so you dont flatten the stitches.   

Allura

Great suggestions so far!  Im taking notes, no doubt, lol.  :)  Keep em coming, Ladies and Gents, please.  XD

seb0357

Great question Myrrhan!  Thank you all for the great advice, also.  I have a few pieces that I need to clean but was afraid Id ruin them!

Allura

Glad to pose a good question, seb.  :)  And still hoping to find out more of what techniques people use, as Im afraid of ruining my work too!

magpire

I would wash it in lukewarm water with with soak fabric wash (no-rinsing!) and add half a dye catcher sheet just to be safe.  If using silk thread or overdyed floss add a spoonful of vinegar or lemon juice to the water too.
Dont rub it, just add the stitching last and swirl it about a couple of times then dry the way louanna described.

Narneh

I just recently finished a project and was hesitant washing it but had no issues with a mild soap.  I actually used a cheap dollar store dish soap in cold water.  I  didnt make any bubbles, just mixed it until it was incorporated into the water.  Put in my work and swished it gently by hand.  After leaving it to sit for about 10 minutes I washed it again in cold water.  Afterwards I took a towel to remove most of the water by pressing on the piece between the towel.  After letting it air dry a bit I took an iron on low heat and gently pressed the piece (on the towel) until dry.  Perfectly crease free and clean.

magenta13

Be very, very careful!!!!  It depends on the floss youve used.  DMC claim their floss is washable, so a mild detergent and short soaking is probably the best solution.

All other flosses - overdyes and variagated - come with warnings about their washability.  I have had problems with red colours or anything that has a reddish tinge including browns etc.  Red is a difficult colour in all sorts of ways!!

Some people recommend fixing colours before you stitch, if you do a search on the internet youll find techniques to fix the colours so that they wont run when you wash your precious work!!

Have a look at this site to get started - ivillage.com/forums/node/12820540

Another health warning from bitter experience - be careful when using a steam iron, as the steam could let some colours bleed.  No-one said it was easy!!!

Good luck!!

karriboo

I stitch on 28 mostly and at the end of every stitch I give it a hand soak in a liquid detergent made for gentle fabric and have also used one for babies. Ive had excellent results.

I was recently given a piece by a friend who had something unknown spilled on it and didnt know how to get it out. I gave it a soak in what I normally use (Wooliite, Cheer, Wisk, or Dreft Baby) and added a little Borax and the stain was gone. My friend was very pleased.