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wash or rinse?
Hi,
I have just begin to do cross stitch. As this is my first time completed a cross stitch project, i read from books that we have to wash our completed project before framing? My question is do we rinse with just water or do we have to wash it with detergent? After the wash, do we have to let the project air dry or iron dry? Thank you. Regards, Isabel |
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#2
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You will probably get a huge variety of different answers. IMHO, the
thing that matters is what materials you used to do the stitching. If you used the "best", such as DMC or Anchor floss, there is not much need to worry. If you used "el cheapo" that is a different matter. We have heard stories of people who have cross stitched baby bibs. When used regularly, they have been thrown in the washer and drier with harsh detergents and bleach for several months. At the end of that time, the bib is falling to pieces, and the stitching just as good as new. On a personal basis, I hand wash in Tide and hot water, rinse well, hang to dry, and iron on the back side. I only use the best materials for sewing. HTH. "Tea Chapter" ) writes: Hi, I have just begin to do cross stitch. As this is my first time completed a cross stitch project, i read from books that we have to wash our completed project before framing? My question is do we rinse with just water or do we have to wash it with detergent? After the wash, do we have to let the project air dry or iron dry? Thank you. Regards, Isabel -- Jim Cripwell. The gods do not subtract from the allotted span of one's life, any time that is spent in stitching. Adapted from a sign on The Cobb, Lyme Regis, England. |
#3
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And that answer from Jim is as well-rounded as they come.
If you're unsure about your threads - they're not a known brand - snip some pieces, stitch them onto a scrap cloth, and wash them to see what happens. Some metallics won't take harsher soaps, others come through it just fine. When rinsing, rinse until you would drink the water. grin Soap residue can take a lot or rinsing to remove. Iron face down, while damp, over a doubled or triple terry towel. Dianne F.James Cripwell wrote: You will probably get a huge variety of different answers. IMHO, the thing that matters is what materials you used to do the stitching. If you used the "best", such as DMC or Anchor floss, there is not much need to worry. If you used "el cheapo" that is a different matter. We have heard stories of people who have cross stitched baby bibs. When used regularly, they have been thrown in the washer and drier with harsh detergents and bleach for several months. At the end of that time, the bib is falling to pieces, and the stitching just as good as new. On a personal basis, I hand wash in Tide and hot water, rinse well, hang to dry, and iron on the back side. I only use the best materials for sewing. HTH. "Tea Chapter" ) writes: Hi, I have just begin to do cross stitch. As this is my first time completed a cross stitch project, i read from books that we have to wash our completed project before framing? My question is do we rinse with just water or do we have to wash it with detergent? After the wash, do we have to let the project air dry or iron dry? Thank you. Regards, Isabel -- Jim Cripwell. The gods do not subtract from the allotted span of one's life, any time that is spent in stitching. Adapted from a sign on The Cobb, Lyme Regis, England. |
#4
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On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 15:31:16 +0800, "Tea Chapter"
wrote: Hi, I have just begin to do cross stitch. As this is my first time completed a cross stitch project, i read from books that we have to wash our completed project before framing? My question is do we rinse with just water or do we have to wash it with detergent? After the wash, do we have to let the project air dry or iron dry? Thank you. Regards, Isabel Isabel, the best washing stuff is Orvus. It's horse shampoo (yes, you read that right), but is also marketed under a host of other, less equine, names, including Treasure Wash, Ensure, and Quilt Soap. If your local stores (LNS and/or LQS) don't have one or the other, www.nordicneedle.com has them. Use cold/cool water, as heat sets stains (ever tried to get a stain out after it's been through the dryer?). Don't wring it out, at any stage. Sometimes it helps if you let your project just sit and soak in the soapy water, swishing it around periodically. This is especially good if a project is really dirty. Rinse. Rinse. Rinse. Rinse again. Rinse some more. Rinse. And rinse again. Roll it up in a clean, ideally light-colored (or a well-washed colored), towel. Squeeze. Lay the project flat, face down, on another light-colored towel, and *press* the project mostly dry with a hot iron (Aida is cotton; it's pretty much okay to use the "cotton" setting, but be careful if you've used any specialty fibers or beads). At this point, I lay it out face down on yet another light-colored towel, and let it finish drying. Sometimes I'll lay a piece of muslin over it, as we ventilate the house with open windows and fans, and the LA area is smoggy and dusty and has afternoon breezes off the ocean. Darla Sacred cows make great hamburgers. |
#5
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On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 08:29:51 -0500, Dianne Lewandowski
wrote: And that answer from Jim is as well-rounded as they come. If you're unsure about your threads - they're not a known brand - snip some pieces, stitch them onto a scrap cloth, and wash them to see what happens. Some metallics won't take harsher soaps, others come through it just fine. Um, just wanted to point out that DMC is now admitting that a number of its colors - especially the reds - may run when washed! They've been quietly sending lists of colors that may run to the LNSs. They recommend *pre*-rinsing the floss until the water runs clear. Teri ~~ Secure online shopping now available at CraftSoft Publications/Design Encounters Kits http://www.craftsoft.com Remove "knot" to email. |
#6
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On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 15:31:16 +0800, "Tea Chapter"
wrote: Hi, I have just begin to do cross stitch. As this is my first time completed a cross stitch project, i read from books that we have to wash our completed project before framing? My question is do we rinse with just water or do we have to wash it with detergent? After the wash, do we have to let the project air dry or iron dry? Isabel, it really depends on how dirty your piece is. Mine stay very clean but I prefer to rinse out any unseen oils. I put a small amount of Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid in a basin of water and swish it around. Then I rinse (more than wash) the piece in the liquid. I say rinse because I don't do any kind of scrubbing but just move the soapy water mix through the stitched piece. Then I rinse it a couple of times with clear water, roll it in a towel to absorb most of the moisture, and then iron it dry - wrong side up. HTH! Teri ~~ Secure online shopping now available at CraftSoft Publications/Design Encounters Kits http://www.craftsoft.com Remove "knot" to email. |
#7
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You may wash with a mild dishwashing detergent like Ivory, or there is a
product called "Treasure Wash". After washing, roll in a towel (do not twist or wring). Press while damp face down on a towel, preferably white. This will make your stitches stand up and out. Good luck! |
#8
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On 7/29/03 10:17 PM,"Darla" posted:
On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 15:31:16 +0800, "Tea Chapter" wrote: *snip* My question is do we rinse with just water or do we have to wash it with detergent? After the wash, do we have to let the project air dry or iron dry? Isabel Isabel, the best washing stuff is Orvus. It's horse shampoo (yes, you read that right), but is also marketed under a host of other, less equine, names, including Treasure Wash, Ensure, and Quilt Soap. If your local stores (LNS and/or LQS) don't have one or the other, www.nordicneedle.com has them. Use cold/cool water, as heat sets stains (ever tried to get a stain out after it's been through the dryer?). Don't wring it out, at any stage. Sometimes it helps if you let your project just sit and soak in the soapy water, swishing it around periodically. This is especially good if a project is really dirty. Rinse. Rinse. Rinse. Rinse again. Rinse some more. Rinse. And rinse again. Roll it up in a clean, ideally light-colored (or a well-washed colored), towel. Squeeze. Lay the project flat, face down, on another light-colored towel, and *press* the project mostly dry with a hot iron (Aida is cotton; it's pretty much okay to use the "cotton" setting, but be careful if you've used any specialty fibers or beads). At this point, I lay it out face down on yet another light-colored towel, and let it finish drying. Sometimes I'll lay a piece of muslin over it, as we ventilate the house with open windows and fans, and the LA area is smoggy and dusty and has afternoon breezes off the ocean. Darla gave an excellent response. I'm only going to add a little bit. Working at a LNS/Framer - we do a lot of cleaning/washing of needlework that is being framed. First, with regular floss, DMC or Anchor, it's usually just fine to wash it. If you've used silks, you must try them before washing. Many will run. If you've used overdyes, floss or silk, then you likely cannot wash them - these are generally tagged saying that they shouldn't be washed as the overdyes aren't colorfast. When you wash, as Darla says, Orvus is great. If you don't have that, we often in the shop use Ivory dishwashing liquid. Always COLD water. And a splash (1/4 cup) of White Vinegar. Just the plainest kind of vinegar. This helps with setting the dye. Especially important if you have Reds, some Purples, in the design add the vinegar to the liquid detergent and cold water. Swish it around, follow Darla's directions - no wringing. After it's been ironed, we usually let it hang to final dry, rather than lay it down. Good luck. ellice |
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