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Colorfastness
Washing & Pressing
Posted: May 26th, 2010 @ 10:45am
You may or may not know that NO thread can be declared completely colorfast. Most solid color, non overdyed (DMC and Anchor) will not bleed when washed. However, red and dark colors are the most prone to bleed. Threads that come in kits are a lower quality than DMC and Anchor and more often will bleed than the higher quality DMC and Anchor.
Before we used so many overdyed threads and fabrics, we always recommended washing and pressing cross stitch before it was framed. It removes the natural oils left behind from your hands as well as any soiling that may have occurred during your stitching time. It also "plumps up the stitches" and kind of smooths it all out. Washing also removes the sizing from the fabric and makes it easier to work with when mounting it for framing. Since I use so many overdyeds now and I don't pre-treat the threads, I choose not to wash most of my cross stitch now - someday the oils from my hands may show up but I probably won't be around to see them. I am sure to always use clean hands to stitch and don't have any food or beverages around my stitching. I also put my stitching away while I'm not working on it so it is not exposed to dust particles or in my house, cat hair!
If you do want to be able to wash your piece, there are steps you can take to treat your threads. And, heaven forbid, if you wash a piece and the colors bleed, there is a suggestion below to remove bleeding. I've personally never done this but we just received a piece of cross stitch in the mail from a customer. When she washed it, the threads ran in one area. She sent it to us because she didn't know what to do! We'll be trying the method below.
Another thing I've done for pieces that have bled or had drinks spilled on them is to dye the whole piece with coffee - it seems to cover up the bleeding and gives the whole piece a bit of an aged look. Depending on the piece, this can be a good alternative. We've actually had some people happier with the coffee dyed finish than they would have been with the original if it had not bled!
The following information comes to us from Threadworx, a manufacturer of overdyed threads.
"Due to the strict regulations imposed by the FDA on dye chemicals NO thread can be guaranteed 100% colorfast by specialty product manufacterers. The FDA, with the additional voice of the EPA, has removed many of the "setting" ingredients (such as lead) in dyes so now we must take special precaution with any colored fabric or thread.
We seldom have a problem with our colors running but we cannot guarantee complete colorfastness.
Specialty threads must be treated gently! The threads must first be unskeined, put into a bathroom basin 1/2 filled with cold water with 2 Tbls table salt and 2 Tbls vinegar. Soak for 2-3 minutes, remove, blot with towel and let dry. This is recommended for any piece that will require washing. Please Note: HOT WATER and using a STEAM IRON and/or a damp cloth when pressing completed project will reactivate dyes and cause bleeding.
If your work has been completed and the dyes have bled in washing then you must soak the piece in ICE WATER until the color starts to bleed out. Remove from the water and run an ice cube over the problem area and then place back in fresh ice water to soak again. Repeat this process until the problem area is clear of dye. This may take continued effort, possible over a few days, but it does work."
