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Afghan - should I back it?

Hi Group, I am about to start an afghan that is cross-stitched with patterns all over it. When it is finished, I am afraid that with use, the threads will come loose on the back even tho I plan to weave them in pretty good. But there's always a chance that they will be pulled out. So......should I think about putting a backing fabric on it? The afghan is a loosely woven fabric from Zweigart, a beige with red lines making the blocks. I was thinking of a backing like muslin, but my daughter said to use a fleece of some sort. So, once I learn the "right" kind of backing, then how do I attach it? Hem it and stitch just around the sides with hidden stitches of some sort? or "quilt" it along the block lines? Oh, the cross stitches will all be in about 6 or 7 shades of red. Should I "wash" the threads (DMC) first or do I not have to worry about bleeding when laundering it? How does one "wash" the threads without getting them all tangled up? Can I put them in the dryer to dry?

Any help is appreciated! This is going to be a big project (for me) and I do want to get it right without any "I shouldas" after it's done. I've looked thru all my old cross-stitch magazines and online for answers but am not finding anything.

Kathy

Reply to
Kathy Tabb
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Boy! You asked a ton of questions! What an interesting read!

I would not use fleece as a backing fabric. Stick to something lightweight. There are so many fabrics out there. Head on over to a fabric store and see what's available. I have the most beautiful antique baby blanket and it is lined with the loveliest rayon. A perfect weight for this tunisian crocheted blanket.

Attaching it is easy. Hemming (that's the actual term for the technique) is the preferred method as it is quite invisible. The more modern term is slip stitching, but watch that you only take the tiniest bites of the fabrics and have the tiniest of stitches. You'll have to measure, pin the lining on the afghan (turning under a quarter inch or so, then hem.

As for the threads: Wash them in their wrappers by soaking them in a detergent solution. Then see if they bleed. Then rinse in cool water until the water is clear. You really shouldn't have to do this with DMC reds. I've never had them "run". But it's prudent to be safe rather than sorry.

Dianne

Kathy Tabb wrote:

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

A backing would be fine--it might make the afghan more comfortable against the skin for the user. I apply a dot of Fray Check on all of my woven ends when I'm using cross-stitch on wearables or baby toys. Haven't had an end come loose yet with that treatment and those items get used and washed a lot. You will see a little damp dot on the front right after you apply it, but it disappears when it dries. If you do use a backing, remember to prewash and machine dry both the afghan AND the backing fabric before assembly because you'll have a huge problem if they are put together and one piece shrinks and the other doesn't.

Only the brightest or deepest shades of red would be any concern and even then I've never had a problem with DMC floss. I've had off-brands or unidentified brands from kits that have faded but DMC has always washed well without bleeding in my experience. If you do prewash any floss, put the full skein of each color in a separate bowl and use lukewarm or cool water and the detergent of your choice although I would avoid any with dyes that would discolor the water since that would make it harder to tell if the floss is bleeding dye. You don't really need to swirl the thread around so tangling shouldn't be an issue. Label each bowl so you remember which color is which. Let stand overnight and check the water color in the morning. If clear and colorless, rinse the floss thoroughly and hang it to air dry. Putting it in the dryer

*would* make a tangled mess unless you have one of those special racks for sweaters/delicates that you can get for some dryers.

As for how to attach the back> Hi Group,

Reply to
Brenda Lewis

Thanks to both Dianne and Brenda on their helpful hints. I can hardly wait to start this project (still waiting for delivery of the afghan). I would never have thought of washing both the afghan and the backing; I'm so glad you mentioned that! And Dianne, you mentioned "slip stitching" as the modern term for hemming. Thank you!!!! I've seen the term "slip stitching" in many magazines and didn't have a clue what this was! And here I've been doing it for years!

Thanks again! Kathy

Reply to
Kathy Tabb

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