Cross-Stitching

Questions and discussions related to cross-stitching. Want to know how to get creases out of fabric? This is where to ask. To locate past posts on a specific topic, simply enter the word or words in the field below and click the Search button.
Note: Any discussions regarding the distribution of any copy-written materials will be removed. No advertisements, sales-related, or social media postings allowed.
Back
to wash or not to wash?
Sat, Sep 29, 2007 4:57 PM
Posted by Barbara
I'm going to make a smallish table topper for Christmas on a dark gray Aida fabric. Do I wash the Aida before I stitch on it, or after? Can it be machine-washed, or should I stick to hand-washing? I'll be using lighter-colored DMC floss.

Thanks for your help!

  • Reply from Busydebbie
    Saturday, September 29, 2007 7:49 PM
    I would wash it prior to stitching. As far as hand wash or machine...how ever you plan on cleaning it during the lifetime of the finish piece.

    Go to top

  • Reply from Maria S.
    Sunday, September 30, 2007 8:00 AM
    Wash it afterward by hand. A small amount of shrinkage will occur and that will make the stitches "pop" up more. Remember to iron it from the reverse side when still damp and just use a dry iron set between cotton/linen Go to top
  • Reply from wirose
    Sunday, September 30, 2007 10:08 PM
    If needed, I hand wash after stitching and then press. Go to top
  • Reply from Carolyn
    Thursday, October 25, 2007 4:48 PM
    As long as your Aida cloth is clean and FLAT (no creases), my suggestion is to do your stitching first. Then I have never done anything but handwash, roll in a thick clean towel of similar colour, gently stretch while wet, then hang or lay flat to dry. Flip it over the next day and iron. Go to top
  • Reply from MaryK
    Sunday, November 18, 2007 7:23 AM
    If the fabric is clean, do not wash it before stitching. If there are creases that need to be ironed out, dampen on the creases, and iron dry. Cross stitch fabric will shrink slightly when washed; this is what makes your stitches stand out instead of looking flat.

    MaryK Go to top

  • Reply from AngelSan
    Friday, November 23, 2007 3:39 AM
    If you use DMC threads and good quality fabric, you can machine wash again and again the final project.

    I stitched some multicoloured things on black aida, sewed on tshirts, and those tshirts have been washed like 20 times by now, and the stitched piece still as good as new... Go to top