Rinse DMC floss? Gridlines?

[xstitchsoprano]

Hello! As you may have seen from previous threads, I'm preparing to begin my first large heirloom project. I will be using DMC floss and would like to know if I should rinse the floss before hand. There are 150 colors so if I don't have to then I really don't want to haha! I'm assuming that I should rinse the project after I finish it to remove any oils from my hands while working on it. Though I'm concerned that if I don't rinse the floss out before the project, they might bleed. I've never rinsed my floss out before a project before, but since I'll be putting a significant amount of hours and work into this one, I want to make sure that I do it right! What do you think? Do DMC flosses need to be rinsed before a project?

I also have never used gridlines before, but since this is a huge detailed project, I think I'm going to need them! If drawn on, how easy are they to rinse off after the project is done? I'd be devastated if I completed the project, and the lines wouldn't completely rinse out after! Any pen recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help!

[rcperryls]

I have never rinsed DMC floss before stitching and have never had it run. That is what I have used on numerous afghans I've stitched and they get tossed in the washing machine with detergent and then in the dryer and never ran. I imagine there are exceptions to every rule, but I know I would not be rinsing that floss. I use Dritz Mark-B-Gone Marking Pencil. It is also available at Walmart, Michaels and probably most craft stores. There are several other brands also. I have never had a problem with the grid lines not completely washing away, but again, there are some members who have had difficulty.
Hope you will be posting pictures of your project. Anything with 150 colors is going to be beautiful, I'm sure.

Carole

[thegrindre]

I've also used DMC and washed the finished project by hand and have never had any floss colors run either.
I believe DMC is the best so don't worry about it. Just start stitchin' away.

[MaggieM1750]

The only time I've washed DMC before using was when using a dark red variegated floss. I have bothered with anything else and wash in cool water at the end to get rid of hand oils.

As for markers, I use the Dritz marker. Found on the notions wall in the quilting area at JoAnns.

[Rose]

I have used DMC for 25+ year and I have never had it run or fade or bleed or anything of that sort. I wash every project that I work on except for those few that I have stitched on paper.

I think DMC is an exceptional product as is Anchor. I like the feel of it and the way that is works with all of the material that I use.

[stitchingmae]

I have used the mark b gone pen for a while too and only had one accident with one, I had initally gotten ink on the project...and then threw it into the wash with out rinsing out the lines FIRST..apparently it caused a chemical reaction and they stayed.

I have left them on for a long time on my starry night and have in fact had to regrid starry night. I usually just soak it in the cool water, and they rinse away.

[Arianwen]

I have never had a problem with my threads running and I use both DMC and Anchor. I usually do a cold water rinse first to help set the colours then wash in lukewarm water.

I've only just started gridding and I use the Sewline pencil. I've not had any problems with the lines not washing out and you can also buy an eraser to remove the lines though I find I still need to rinse it to get the lines out.

If you are worried about pens or pencils leaving marks, I know some use thread to grid instead and just pull it out as they go

[Sarah83]

My grid lines all washed out when Easyjet somehow soaked my suitcase and everything in it. The DMC didn't run though.

I also find myself having to re-grid because after a few months the grid lines have faded massively.

This is the pen I use http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Products/Fabr ... -H295.aspx" target="_blank

[nachosmiley]

Never had a problem with DMC running...I've even used it on t-shirts with waste canvas which just get thrown in the wash with the normal laundry...not had a problem yet!

I use the same pen as Sarah83 and it just magically disappears as soon as water touches it,it's great!

However I have used the air vanishing marker (the same brand) and although it works just fine on normal fabrics it didn't want to vanish from an opalescent, so my advice is to test any pens/pencils you get on a corner of your fabric first just to be sure.