Hi Cory,
You might want to speak to Kristi here on ECS with that question regarding hand-dyed Aida cloth
"bleeding" when washed. She would probably be able to help you. For my part, I ALWAYS wash my fabrics in COLD water to prevent bleeding. Also, had some hand-dyed linen that I did projects on but none of them bled. Only "little nasty" mistake I made was using the steam setting on my iron and went over a project of mine that had a hand-dyed floss ( a dark green) and it bled on the linen. I immediately put the fabric in cold water and left it for a couple days, swishing water occasionally, and fortunately the bleeding came out from linen. Hope this helps!

To me if they want to sell the dye fabric so the color won t run as the floss. that all.

Yes, I too would like to know. I bought some Wicheltt hand-dyed so the fabric looks like clouds, white and light blue. I ordered it from Herschners, and when I got it, it had a label on it that said "Do not wash--dry clean only." I wasn't happy about that and haven't used it. I have washed all my other "regular" Aida, and would like to do the same with this, but do I dare?

I have a question....what is with the need to wash everything either before or after stitching?
I work for a lady who has owned a needlework shop for 15 years and has stitched way longer than that and has taken numerous classes in everything related to stitching. She NEVER washes anything and says there's no need to....and why would you even take the chance with a hand-dyed fabric or thread? Unless you spill something on it or get it excessively dirty while stitching......why wash at all?

Just curious ......

Agree, MissKitty. There's a widespread belief your skin oil will damage the fabric. Can't believe those Colonial girls washed their samplers. It would have been boiling water & lye soap. And everything was hand-dyed, right?

If something looks clean I assume it is. If it's showing dirt, I soak it in tepid water & Orvis. Only once had trouble with a hand-dyed item. A floss faded, but I loved the new color.

I work with an embroidery hoop. After I wash and iron the finished project, I notice it helps to remove hoop marks and just seems to make it look fresh.

I agree with Cory. I wash mine after completed and it makes it look so fresh and crisp after ironing. I even use starch (heavily). I've never had the problem of bleeding. I wash in the sink with very little dish detergent or Eucalan Fine Fabric Wash (sold here). I just swish it around and pat it under water. Then I rinse with tepid water and roll it into a white clean, thick towel. I don't let it dry in the towel as the wrinkles are harder to come out. I stretch it and then iron it, put starch on it and iron some more. I've never had a problem with this process.

I find dry cleaning finished projects is best. Project is slightly stiff and nicely squared, very easy to frame..

I don't know why some of us feel the need to wash finished projects.
I wash mine and press them from the wrong side. I place a white towel under it. I never thought of using starch. A shop owner friend told me that projects should never, ever be dry cleaned. I don't know why, maybe the chemicals they use??? So I've followed that rule because she seemed to know her business. I wash mine because I wash constantly and feel that after I've been dragging it around for 6 to 12 months it could probably use it. I have to admit that the water never looks dirty, so there probably is not a need to wash. That's why I am not all that fond of specialty threads that cannot be washed. It's just a personal thing. I have to agree with jclifford, the projects do look nice after washing and pressing. It seems to make the stitches look nicer.

The latest Keepsake Needlearts Catalog has some hand over-dyed Aidas. Some made exclusively for KNA.