How to Finish a Cross-Stitch Project

Your completed cross-stitch project may need some care or cleaning before it's displayed, used or given as a gift.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray Bottles
• Clean White Towels
• Ironing Boards
• Irons
• Lukewarm Water
• Mild Liquid Dish Soap

1. Remove the completed cross-stitch piece from the hoop or frame and check for any dirt or smudges.

2. Launder the item if your soiled cross-stitch piece has been worked directly onto an item that will eventually be laundered.

3. 

   Hand-wash any other soiled cross-stitch piece gently in lukewarm water and mild liquid dish soap. Rinse in lukewarm water.

4. 

   Roll the wet cross-stitch piece in a clean white towel in such a way that no part of the piece comes into direct contact with any other part. Squeeze to remove excess water.

5. Lay flat to dry until slightly damp.

6. 

   Place the damp piece facedown on a clean white towel.

7. 

   Press gently at the medium-high to high setting with a dry iron until the piece is dry.

8. Dry-clean the cross-stitch project if the materials used are labeled "dry-clean only."

9. Frame or mount the work as desired or by following kit instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• To remove creases left by an embroidery hoop, lightly spray the back of the piece with water. Place the piece on a clean white towel, and press with a dry iron at the medium-high to high setting.
• Avoid moving the iron back and forth too much or pressing too hard when ironing the damp piece - you may flatten stitches.
• Soak the cross-stitch piece in lukewarm water if any of the colors bleed. Change the water every hour until it remains clear.
• Consult a professional craft or frame shop for framing instructions.

[boarstone]

on 12/16/2008 Well there's more to finishing a stitchery project after the washing, any comments/ideas on HOW TO MOUNT THE PROJECT? What is it mounted ON?

on 1/5/2006 When I need to press a cross-stitch project, I place it on a thick towel, right side down. I mist it, put a thin handkerchief over it. Press up and down, not back and forth. The towel helps not getting the stitches flattened.

on 11/22/2005 I use a baby bathing product to clean my projects. It gets the project clean and at a fraction of the cost of a mild detergent.

on 11/22/2005 Soak cloth in lukewarm water with a little Dawn dish soap (original blue, NOT ULTRA). Rinse well. Roll in a white towel to dry. Place between white sheets to avoid stains from an iron. Iron on medium heat until dry - on low for metallics that could melt.