I was on a roll the other day - I had a sinkfull of slightly sudsy Soak wash with a production line of projects to gently launder and lay flat til I could iron them dry. I was onto the ironing process when I realized I'd slipped a project into the pile that used non-colorfast over-dyed floss. 
Photo © Connie G. Barwick
My bat project made me go "EEK" and not because the little bat motif is scary! The floss dye had run out into the design. It looks much worse than the photo implies, trust me. I was amused by this - I am the one that some people turn to for advice when this happens to them, after all!
I tried the method I suggest - rinsing it under cool water in an attempt to remove the dye - to no avail.
I know I can use some water colors, fabric paint, or cold-water dye to add to the colorful background to salvage it, so I am not disappointed. I can also redo the project quickly, so it is no great loss if I can't make it look better.
But, one of my stitching buddies swears by Orvus and since she is sending me some, I will try that first!
Have you ever had an oops like this? Vote in the poll and let us know - and share about your experience using the comments section below.
Photo © Connie G. BarwickMy bat project made me go "EEK" and not because the little bat motif is scary! The floss dye had run out into the design. It looks much worse than the photo implies, trust me. I was amused by this - I am the one that some people turn to for advice when this happens to them, after all!
I tried the method I suggest - rinsing it under cool water in an attempt to remove the dye - to no avail.
I know I can use some water colors, fabric paint, or cold-water dye to add to the colorful background to salvage it, so I am not disappointed. I can also redo the project quickly, so it is no great loss if I can't make it look better.
But, one of my stitching buddies swears by Orvus and since she is sending me some, I will try that first!
Have you ever had an oops like this? Vote in the poll and let us know - and share about your experience using the comments section below.
Comments
Years ago I made a cute blue and white gingham dress for my daughter. Then decided to dress it up with a simple cross stitch of a bear holding balloons. Oh, yes, it was adorable. Until I washed it. Between the brown bear and the red balloon, it was completely ruined. At least she got to wear it once.
Years ago I used to use a metal embroidery hoop. I stopped using it when I noticed that it was leaving rust stains in my stitching. I don’t remember what project I was stitching at the time, so I don’t remember how I dealt with the stain, but now I use plastic hoops so they won’t leave rust.
I like the bat .. the stain kind of implies movement to me. However I’ve done the ink spill a few times.. usually with the non dmc flosses.. you know the inexpensive stuff. (hey i bearly make rent) But the Shout maximum gel.. on the canvas r the material.. and then a little vinegar and wash it on cold.. and it helps me prevent and cure some of the ink leakage.
Connie, I’d have to say that practically every one of my projects contains at least one oops!!
I worked a cross stitch baby bib which had DMC red thread that ran onto the white background in a large area after washing. I soaked the bib overnight in a cold water solution of Oxyclean (powder) and the red dye washed completely out of the white fabric. The solution did not affect the other thread colors. The bib looks as good as new!
I had the dye problem in a quilt I made as a gift, but it was very scrappy, so it was okay. I also scorched a cross-stitch piece that I’d spent HOURS on–and scorched it two days before Christmas. Thank goodness Gramma was around to coach me through minimizing the stain (I think we used vinegar…).