stitching
could you let me know how to wash the thread before using it without it getting all tangled.
Posted by: margie on 12/03/15
Google it
by: miss crossstitc on 12/03/15
I ptefer to offer my sincere advice. I never pre-wash DMC. I never pre-wash Weeks Dye Works overdyes because both brands are colorfast. Weeks will label the 1% of theirs that aren't.

By industry definition, colorfast means that the color will not bleed onto other colors/fabrics if washed per manufacturers instructions. Both companies recommend cool water.

For other overdyes, I use lukewarm to very hot water, per recommendations on label or on their website. As far as tangles, it is impossible to wash, rinse, blot, rinse, blot, rinse, blot, hang to dry if no color bleeds on blotting. As a masochist, I recently was awarded the job of pre-washing nearly 100 skeins of overdyes that needed hot water wash. My hubby strung a clothesline on the kitchen over sink and counter. I washed, rinsed a lot, blotted a lot, towelled gently, hung to dry. Despite using tongs, burnt my hand. Oops. Lots of tangles despite carefulness. Recarded all floss after untangling. Will have Weeks convert all other overdyes to their colors by email, as no complete conversion chart exists anywhere on the internet. My long answer your short question!
Short answer: always tangles.
by: Su Pitt on 12/03/15
Su, I will continue to use the overdyes unwashed. This is entirely too much work. I keep my hands, etc very clean and so I won't have to wash the project once it's completed. Burned hands? You poor thing. I have never had a problem with DMC and see no need to prewash. I just finished working with Colorworks overdyes and the "Black Coffee" left my thumb stained for three days despite thorough washings, doing dishes, showering, etc. Problems, problems! :) Why did you have to do 100?
Yes, a conversion chart would help. I found something the other day - Gentle Arts to DMC - but the look up process was time consuming. After all that work I decided to go with Gentle Arts after all. For some projects the overdyes look nice. I installed Windows10 the other day - I clicked on the wrong thing - and now I have nothing but problems. I cannot access my email and desperately need to look something up. DD must be in meetings, she usually has the answer. I'll probably unplug everything and restart. :(
by: Texas Stitcher on 12/04/15
texas stitcher how did you remove black coffee stains ? just in case ayone else encounters.
by: hobbies on 12/04/15
Sorry, I should have been more specific. "Back Coffee" is the name of the color that I stitched with. It's from Color Works. It wore off eventually. I was commenting about pre-washing floss and that one has to be careful for the overdyes not to come in contact with water because they are not color fast. If they are it will say so on the tag. That means no washing the finished project, or spilling water on it, using a damp cloth to iron, or using steam. That is the reason that many stitchers pre wash the overdyes to remove the extra dye. If you keep your hands clean, complete your project quickly and otherwise safeguard it from becoming soiled then there is no need to wash the finished piece. I just like to wash mine. It seems to improve appearance. But that's just me! :)
No need to worry about any of the above mentioned problems with DMC or Anchor.
I'm glad that you were able to find storage items for your floss.
by: Texas Stitcher on 12/04/15
Tex, I feel your pain about email and tech issues! I lost all my email due to a small issue that grew to an ugly issue...DD helped restore, Amazon helped restore, but the stuff I was supposed to do? I forgot. Now I need help again to be a fully functioning idiot with email in the 21st century...maybe this weekend a few brain cells will click in. :) maybe a restorative trip to the gym would help my frazzled nerves and over-extended brain... LOL

Forgot to tell!!! We made a condolence call on the Stitch Niche to speak with Doug...such a sweetie...all the ladies were pitching in and soooo much fun. Got some fabric, DD got the needlepoint bug...I hope his plans work out for the sale...I wanted to cry.

by: VCESS on 12/04/15
Oh Tex, I did 100 because I kinda over-ordered on a fairly big project for a wide stitch band that is long. One bad day, decided to wash it all. I had back and forths with Gentle Arts and got fed up with their excuses for not rinsing well after dye. The guy who wrote me jeven threw in that hebwas friends with John and Melissa at Weeks and had eaten a meal with them. I don't know what that had to do with not completing the process and making us stitchers crazed about colors bleeding! The same is true with Classic Colorworks, but seldom use their floss. After all my pre-wash, pre-rinse, the only bad bleeder was, of course a red.
I know to be vigilant about reds, browns, blacks and dark blues.
by: Su Pitt on 12/04/15
VCESS, good to hear from you. I shut mine off today and lo and behold the email came back on. I have forgotten more about this computer than most people will ever learn. DD shows me so much and as she walks through the door so does all the knowledge. Poof into thin air. She would write it down for me but now it's homework with Olivia that takes precedence. If I don't use it daily........! I've also found that pulling the plug, waiting 30 seconds or so and plugging it back in is very effective.

I called Carol today and she told me that there is an interested party, I hope that it all works out. Where would the regulars, not to mention the Elves as they call themselves, go? Yes, Doug is a sweetie and seems to be hanging in there. The kids check on him. Maybe the short term memory loss issue helps. He still lives by himself. I really like Kathy, it's so sad. I chuckle to myself sometimes because I ordered Anchor Marlitt from here when I first moved here over 5 years ago and she never got it for me. Every so often I'd ask her about it and she would look into here book. Then she'd tell me "no still working on it". I'll never get it now.

Needlepoint! Wow!
by: Texas Stitcher on 12/04/15
Su, I'd like to invite that fellow to my house for a piece of my mind! That's all I have to say about that. I don't want to get started since I had a very frustrating morning and getting nothing but the run around!

You were smart to do it all at once. I have spells like that myself. At least now you can stitch without having to stop and rinse.
by: Texas Stitcher on 12/04/15