Getting rid of folds in cross stitch fabric

[ljs1953]

I spend a lot of time washing and ironing my fabric with folds in it. I can never fully get the folds out with ironing and I iron while the fabric is damp, and I have a brand new iron, which I requested for Christmas. Any suggestions on getting the folds out of cross stitch fabric would be greatly appreciated. I am at my wits end! I have too much fabric to waste by throwing out. Help, please. Thank you.

[ljs1953]

This question is for aida/linen that hasn't been stitched on yet.

[Mystonique]

If it's fabric from a kit I don't worry too much as the folds don't interfere with stitching once it's stretched in a hoop or frame.

Otherwise I purchase fabric on rolls for that reason.

Probably best fix (if washing doesn't work) is to use a hoop or frame to stretch it.

[Rose]

Some times they are very stubborn and you have to be persistent but I have found that using the steam option helps a whole lot and making sure that the fabric is still damp.

[Athalie]

Steam does help to remove fold lines in fabric. Try hanging the fabric in the bathroom where it will catch the steam from showers and baths.

[Oriettait]

I have had success with this system in one case of a stiff linen that had been sitting in a closet for ages.. I hung it while damp attaching some weight at the lower end so it would stretch while drying. I used those hanger with clips that you use to hang skirt and a light weight attached to the hook.
after that a good steam iron did the trick.
Hope this help

[Louise1262]

I steam press my linen as soon as it arrives and the creases come out okay, maybe the longer it's stored folded the harder it is to remove them. Aida does seem to hold creases more I've found. My fabric is then stored "hung" on hangers with 3 large soft pegs each. This also helps with sorting.

[Reta]

As soon as I get folded fabric its steam ironed and the rolled in a cloth

I remember being told if you put a piece of string and iron the crease against the fold its raises the fabric and so as you bend the fibres back the opposite way they have been folded
Does that make sense

[crosstitcher1]

I'm like Rose. I just work the project on the fabric, and when ready for framing, I wash my projects and press with a hand towel over the project, wrong side 1st. Then repeat for the designed side. I always mount my projects on sticky boards, pressing from center of design outward to the edges, til all the wrinkles are out.


HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND.

[ljs1953]

Much appreciated. I read online after posting this question that you can use vinegar water. Wonder if this works? Anyone try it? My husband used to frame my projects and used sticky board. Even my 10 year old framed projects still look great. He's no longer living. I just picked up stitching again after 5 years and was wondering if folds were a problem for framing at say Michael's Arts & Crafts. I'm probably worrying needlessly. Thanks!

[Oriettait]

I know vinegar water help fixing the colors and I always use it in the washing machine instead of the softener and it works great, so it should definitely help. It keep the washer cleaner too as it remove the limestone. When the laundry dry it does not smell like vinegar at all, just use the most transparent vinegar you can find.

[afdish]

I use my MIL's pressing cloth, a simple panel of white cotton fabric. Submerge it in water, squeeze out excess just so it doesn't drip everywhere, lay it over top the needlework fabric, and press with iron on cotton setting. Works like a charm for even the more stubborn creases. I have no idea why this works for me, when ironing with full steam doesn't, getting the fabric wet and freezing then ironing didn't, and spritzing with vinegar water didn't.

-Tricia
aka afdish

[Arianwen]

I know I'm coming to this a bit late but I don't find a creases/folds a problem with my aida.

I don't wash or iron it before use, even when it comes folded in a plastic bag, and most of my 'spare' aida is stored folded flat in a box.

I find that the tension on a frame or hoops is normally adequate to straighten the creases out then running a warm iron over it while damp solves the rest of the folds

[Leroy_B]

I know I'm coming to this a bit late but I don't find a creases/folds a problem with my aida.

Always find older posts revived are as important as the same day posted. Many will encounter the problems such as myself as I removed an aida cloth folder for a long time. I needed to know now what to do. Glad to be informed else I'd of had to do a search and research.