General

Use this board for topics not necessarily related to stitching.
Note: Any discussions regarding the distribution of any copy-written materials will be removed. No advertisements, sales-related, or social media postings allowed.
Cleaning
Sun, Oct 8, 2006 7:44 PM
Posted by Connie
I know this is probably a basic question to most stitchers but I want to be sure of how I finish my project. I did not wash my DMC floss before stitching my project. How do I wash the project so that the colors won't bleed? I am very concerned about all the effort I have put into it and then have the colors bleed. I have a few "dirt" spots on the Aida cloth. My grandmother taught me a neat trick of putting baby powder on those spot and it works fantastically! I could not believe it. But I am still curious about washing it! Help!
  • Reply from Karen
    Monday, October 9, 2006 10:14 AM
    I wash my pieces once I am finished with them, and I've never had a problem with DMC bleeding its' colors. What I do is fill my basin with water and some mild detergent. I then take my piece and swish it through a couple of times and then rinse thoroughly. I then roll it up in a towel to get the excess water out and then iron it (from the back side; use a towel if there are beads). I then lay it flat to continue drying. If you'd like to keep your pieces cleaner in the future, you may consider using a pillowcase to place the project in while you are stitching it. Also I use scroll rods and find that my hands are not touching the fabric very much, which keeps it cleaner.

    On any overdyed threads or dyed silks, I would suggest keeping your piece as clean as possible, because most of those are not colorfast like DMC or Anchor and may bleed if washed. You might consider prerinsing these if you ever use them.

    I hope that helps. :) Go to top

  • Reply from  Anita
    Monday, October 9, 2006 5:10 PM
    Connie,
    I haven't had any problems with DMC floss bleeding when I wash my completed projects. Here's how I wash my projects at the following link:

    http://www.cyberstitchers.com/Resources/FinishingTechniques/Washing.asp

    Anita Go to top

  • Reply from Connie
    Tuesday, October 10, 2006 10:16 AM
    Thanks for your help. I will give it a try. I thought I had heard years ago that the threads would bleed(!?) I was just hesitant about it. I am sure you can relate that you don't want to go through all of that work to have trouble at the end!
    Thanks again Go to top
  • Reply from Darlene
    Thursday, November 23, 2006 8:17 AM
    Do you sprinkle the baby powder and rub the material? New to this also and wondering how to finish it for framing. Go to top