To Wash or Not to Wash

Since it's going to be framed and not used for a pillow or anything else that would be handled, I wouldn't wash it. I would probably dampen it a little and iron it on the wrong side and that would be that.

Lucille

If it looks nice, I'd iron it and frame it.

I'm about to start the same piece, but got mine as a chart, so I'm changing the fabric color and will work on linen.

-- Jere

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I think Jim's idea is great, but I never wash gold threads anyway. Is it noticeably soiled in any way ? If not, don't. I know people throw their hands up and say the oil from your hands will ruin it over time etc etc. I figure if something lasts about fifty years, that's good enough.

My g-grandmothers sampler was completed in 1853 and I know it wasn't washed because the colours don't even look colour fast, plus it was scrunched up in a box with photos till I framed it back in the early

Tough call. In general, it makes me nervous not to wash. I know some people pooh-pooh it, saying that it's not really an issue if stains come up years and years down the road, but I have lots of baby clothes that were put away apparently clean that came up in significant stains within one or two years! However, with a dark ground fabric, you'd be less likely to see it even if a stain did come up. I don't usually find that the fabrics run, but it's obviously a significant problem if it does. I'd probably be tempted to do a little test on a scrap of it and wash if I felt confident that it would come out okay.

Best wishes, Ericka

Jere,

I am sure yours will have some of the special characteristics that mine has. I have little red doxie hairs here and there. I guess I will give it a going over with a bit of tape before getting it framed.

What colors are you using?? I stayed with the navy and gold, since Mike has 23 years in the Navy, and they had no formal wedding as such. No bridesmaids, just a japanese clerk.

Gillian

Jere Williams wrote:

I'm using a sort of medium blue linen -- perhaps around a wedgewood blue -- and I'm using the colors of gold called for, but I haven't decided about the white yet.

It's for my younger daughter who got married October 1. She's so non-traditional in so many ways, I wanted something other than the traditional wedding sampler.

She helped me pick out the Celtic knot design -- now if she'd only help me stitch it....

-- Jere

Thanks for all the helpful emails. In the end I ran a test wash, cutting off a little of the surplus fabric at the bottom of the piece. I stitched a few xxxxs in white, and let it soak in cold water with Orvus. There was no sign of the color running, so I went ahead, and washed the whole thing this morning. It looked absolutely great, and is now down at my LNS, waiting to be framed.(Along with three other small pieces).

Gillian

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I've never washed gold threads - were they okay?

I didn't make myself clear!! I meant golden in color, not gold as a metallic. Sorry!

Gill

I have washed gold metallic threads in several pieces and pressed them from the wrong side of the work with no problems. Ruby

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Okay, I was surprised when people said to wash them lol

I must echo Ruby's claim. I have washed Kreinik and DMC metallic threads without incidence. I have used DMC's metallics (Z series) to crochet and have washed them without a problem. I have used them on pieces that got a lot of handling and were machine washed repeatedly. These sustained damage through time. But a single hand wash? No problem. Dianne

I've never had a problem washing metallic threads of any kind.

Now, if I was using real metal threads, I'd be *very* careful while stitching, and try to avoid washing the piece at all.

Kreinik/DMC/Rainbow Gallery/etc metallics are strong enough to withstand a wash every once in a while. I wouldn't suggest using them on something that would get washed often, though.

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net WIP: Oriental Butterfly, Insect Sampler, Rose Trio, Carousel (TW) Most recently Finished: TicTacToe Sampler, Snow, Morning Glory Stitching log:

I always wash any finished piece. I have never ahd problems with metallics or beading. If you a re nervous about the colorfastness of the thread from some of these kits, pre-soak with some vinager in the water to set the dye. Then only use a mild dishwashing soap.

Raymond Skogland snipped-for-privacy@accesscomm.ca

Hi everyone! I hope I am talking to the right person. This person had stitched amazing piece. She cut a piece of fabric. She stitched it and washed it. No running. So she washed the whole piece and everything went well.

The text above is about the things happened to the person I am talking to.

And now my comment to her:

It is great to know that all went well. My stitching is just needlepointing...I have not washed anything...but I hope all goes well in my case too if I must wash something in the future. Best: Pirjo

ACK! No!!!!! You should never wash needlepoint (because of the canvas). The best way to clean it is to go out and rub it in the snow.

Luckily, Pirjo, you have more of that than I do!