Hi,
I’ve always avoided ironing metallics because I’m afraid it would melt. Have I tried it? No.
Is there anyway you can iron the NON-Mettalic areas and then stretch the whole design and pin it on a board so it stays taut and allow it to air dry to remove any wrinkles in small areas near the metallic areas?
When is the fair? Do you have time to stretch and air-dry it?
Another thought but have never tried: after washing pattern, stretch the fabric around the metallic areas and using a hair dryer, move the hair dryer rapidly back and forth on a low setting to dry areas you can’t reach by iron, then iron NON-metallic areas.

Bermuda - thank you so much for your reply. The project is a Christmas alphabet with a separate picture for each letter and the majority of the pictures have a touch of metallic gold in them. There's no way I could iron around it. The picture has to be entered at the fair on the 25th and I've called the framer already to see if she could work it in before then. She said she'd call on Friday and let me know. In the meantime, I have to figure out if I'm going to wash it or not and then add all the embellishments too (stars, jewels, etc.) I think I'm trying to do the impossible and I don't want to ruin it by rushing. I've been working on it for months! Thanks again!

Hi Senior Stitcher, I've used metallics a lot and wash and iron them dry. What I do is use a plain beige tea towel between the stitching and the iron. So far have never had a problem.

Bermuda and Judy, you helped 2 stitchers . I have worked very little with metallic and I do want to do a project using them so this info was double helpful. Thanks, Pam

Make that 3 people! My current wip uses metallic threads too. To be honest I hadn’t thought about what might happen when I iron it. Eek, a melt down would have been a pisser!

I have ironed metallic thread and it has been ok, just use a lower heat and like someone else suggested have a towel in between the iron and your work. Maybe make a small test piece with your threads (a couple stitches on a scrap fabric piece) just to test it out if you are really worried :)

Never have had a problem ironing any project with metallic thread, after it has been washed. I always have my work face down on a doubled bath towel, then place a cotton tea towel on top oh my work. I then iron it.

Is it going to be shown at the fair without glass protecting the needle work?

Judy & Nita & Serendipity: I iron the pictures face down on a heavy white towel but haven't put anything over the back. I don't think I own any tea towels but have some white dish towels that aren't used because I have a dishwasher. Will use one of those. So glad you've had good luck ironing metallics.

Pamelastine & Jaj: Aren't you glad I asked? Me too!

Bermuda: I learned early on to ALWAYS have pictures framed with glass over them. Someone told me when I first started stitching that you NEVER put glass over counted cross stitch so I made my Mom a Hummel picture with no glass. She and Dad both smoked and when the picture returned after they passed, the background was ORANGE! I tried several things, including Restore, to get that smoke out and the best I could do was a pale yellow. The corners (under the frame) were still white so the yellow was obvious. However, I had it reframed with an oval mat AND GLASS and it's beautiful again. Regarding the fair picture - I need to get it washed and ironed, all the embellishments sewed on, and have it framed to be entered by the 25th (next Wednesday) so I think I'll leave it for next year. I will still have three entries for this year. The picture is called "Oh Holy Night" and is a Christmas alphabet - a picture for every letter. Needless to say, I've been working on it for a long time and don't want to rush the framer.

Thank you all for your comments - I knew I could get the answer I needed here. Happy Stitching!

Pillowcases make good press cloths too. I'm always afraid of some food/grease residue in dishtowels with today's "wonderful" detergents😂