I collect pre-depression cobalt glass, so my attraction to all things blue is common knowledge. You know now...right? 8^)
This is my first stitchery project of this kind. I've done lots of pre-printed pillowcases and never had the problem I am experiencing. I completed these 3 blocks back in 2000 right after purchasing the kit. Now a few years down the road I am motivated to work on it again. The patterns were all pre-transferred, and they are disappearing!!! They are dispersing into the surrounding fabric, blurring so I can hardly figure out where to stitch. BUT....that's not all, when I gently wash the blocks (I used a couple drops of dish soap-Palmolive) the dispersed areas are not washing out! If you click on "Baking" block for example, you can see a rosey glow under the stitching.
I have not pressed these blocks because I'm afraid the ink will set and I'll never get it all out. They have never been subject to extreme heat or extra moisture or anything, just all bundled together waiting patiently for my return. (Not even in a ziploc! I swear!)
So...what to do, what to do?
I need your help. Should I try Shout spray or OxyClean? Will that adversely effect the perl cotton?
Needless to say, I'm stitching like mad before I can't see the design any longer, but geez, I'd like to get it out once I'm finished, what a pickle!
15 comments:
I am no help at all.........but I love those pictures! We had a coal range like that when I was growing up..........and no I am not a hundred years old, just lived in a old, old house. Lots of good food came out of that oven!
Are there a lot of them? That will make it lots of fun to have to finish before they fade! Share them as you finish!
Maybe the manufacture can help?
I love your bluework. I have developed a liking for redwork lately. I have a couple projects in progress and others I have purchased the patterns for. I love having something I can occasionally veg in the lounge chair and still feel like I'm accomplishing something. Currently it is an 18x18 wholecloth that is being worked in red thread on an offwhite background. I only have the background stitching left and 1/4 of it is done. Hum, need to pull that one out and work on it soon.....
I would try shout.
I have done some redworks but I really love blue so have done some in blue and they look fantastic. Keep up the sewing....like the pics...
If the Shout doesn't work, maybe Oxyclean. I dunno. I'm terrible at things like this. I only answered to comiserate with you--everything I own I can't get stains out.
Love the stitching patterns!
The bluework is adorable. I have used the Oxyclean on a similar problem and it didn't hurt the thread or fabric.Make it a light solution though and rinse it more than you normally would. Get yourself a box of Color Catchers while your at it. They pick up any dye released into the water. You can put a red shirt in with a white towel and all you'll get is a pinkish-red Color Catcher. I now have them in all colors=-I should sew them together. Anyway I'm a big fan and get them by the arm-load at Target. I'm afraid they'll stop making the stuff like with everything that's good-or screw it up by making it "new & improved"
I have an old (1960?) appliqué quilt kit that had the pattern on the top in blue. The blue is still there after numerous attempts with all kinds of things. I just figure it adds to it's character.
Your bluework is stunning! Oxyclean works well and I see someone recommended the color catchers---I just found out about those last week, what a find!
I use Synthropol in the wash when I'm not sure about excess colour. I'm not sure if your familiar with it but it holds the excess colour in suspension, so as not to hold to the fabric. Like Dee and Marsaili said the colour catcher sheets are good. If you have a blue errasabe pen you can go over the fading lines while your stitching. It comes out in cold water.
I can't help you either, except to give you support! Very beautiful! Your stitching is so perfect I thought you were showing pictures of the packaging!
I'm no help with your stains as I'm the worlds worst at getting stains out. But I did want to say how much I like the blocks. I've rediscovered stitchery recently and have several quick fun projects planned for those days when I don't feel like sitting at the sewing machine.
One stain product that SEEMS (I'm going to be very cautious here) to not impact dyes that are supposed to be there is Dreft. It's marketed for use for baby stains -- I've been using it on my daugther's clothes and it seems to get things out that shout and other brands just don't touch. Plus, I haven't noticed much, if any, fading of my daughter's clothing and it works in cold water washes.
The color catcher sheets are fantastic, I don't know about this transfer dye, though. I'd be tempted to try a Tide stick, (on top of a white towel to absorb) it is used like a pen and you're able to control where it's applied that way. They're marketed for "fresh food stains" but I've used them on lots of other stains too with good results.
Have no idea, I just usually wash and hope!!
Usually I do red work, your blue looks great.
I enjoyed the pool blog, I hope it's nice and warm there for the cleaning. Not really a winter job! Tracey
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