How to wash and press a finished cross stitch
The last stitch is in, but the piece isn't ready for a frame yet. Months in your hands leave dust, fingermarks and lines from a hoop or marker on the fabric. Washing and pressing bring back a clean, even look. Here's an order that suits ordinary stranded cotton on Aida or evenweave.
Step 1. Test the threads for bleeding
Bright reds, dark blues and other strong colours sometimes bleed. Before you wet the whole piece, dampen an offcut of each bright thread and press it against a white cloth or paper towel. If it leaves a coloured mark, wash with extra care: cool water only and no soaking.
If there are marker lines on the fabric, check how the marker comes out: some disappear with water and some with heat, and then an iron could set the line before washing.
Step 2. Washing
- Use cool or barely warm water and a little mild detergent without bleach.
- Lower the piece in and swish it gently. Don't rub or twist it.
- If a mark won't shift, dab it with your fingers under water rather than using a brush.
- Rinse in clean water until the water is clear and there's no foam left.
If a thread does bleed, don't leave the piece lying wet and don't dry it on a radiator: keep rinsing in cool water until the colour stops coming out.
Step 3. Removing water and drying
Don't wring the piece. Lay it on a clean, light-coloured towel, roll it up and press lightly; the towel will take the extra water. Then spread the piece flat on a dry towel and let it dry away from radiators and direct sun. It's easier to press while the fabric is still slightly damp.
Step 4. Pressing
- Fold a thick towel into several layers.
- Lay the piece face down, so the stitches sink into the soft towel instead of being flattened.
- Cover it with a thin cotton cloth.
- Press from the back with the iron on the cotton setting, lifting and lowering it rather than sliding it across, so the fabric threads don't skew.
- Keep the edges of the fabric straight and square.
When not to wash
If the piece has metallic threads, beads, buttons or other embellishments, check the maker's instructions. Sometimes a careful press from the back through a cloth is enough instead of a wash.
After washing
A clean, even piece is ready for finishing: a frame, a cushion or a card. If you're just starting out, see "How to start cross stitch", and for the time that preparation and finishing take, see "How long does a cross stitch take?".