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Hello,
I am finishing a stocking kit made by Design Works, and to my dismay have just discovered that the instructions say to wash the floss before using (and, if necessary afterwards, to dry clean). Until now, I have always used DMC or the thread included in Dimensions kits. Both DMC and Dimensions explicitly recommend washing the completed project.
Help! I have heard you can soak in vinegar and cold water to prevent running. Have you tried this? Does it work? Since it is for a child's Christmas stocking, I would like to be able to at least hand wash it in the future.

Even though your kit recommends it, I (personally) wouldn't bother with washing the floss before using, UNLESS it's a type that is prone to running/bleeding badly (like those that say 'not colourfast', overdyed cottons and silks, etc).

Either way, soaking floss in a solution of 10 parts cold water and 1 part white vinegar will prevent bleeding. If you're really concerned about bleeding, you can up the portion of vinegar (just rinse gently in cold water after the soak to neutralize the smell).

If you're just using typical cotton floss (like DMC), you shouldn't have to prewash your floss, but it won't hurt to do so. I always use the vinegar solution to fix dyes I'm worried about, and have never had a problem with bleeding as a result.

Thank you for the advice!
By the way, I checked out your blog - that wasp is really impressive! The only thing I've ever done which is even close to that was a butterfly, also one over one, but in needlepoint, and I really had trouble seeing what I was doing. You can see the kit here : http://www.bonheur-des-dames.biz/boutiq ... fr&num=431" target="_blank
So bravo, and thanks again.

Thanks for taking a look at my blog, and for the compliments! That butterfly kit is really pretty, too. I need to update my blog and my SAL's here, for sure.

Hi again Ketta,
Just wanted to let you know I tried soaking it in water and vinegar, and that worked fine.
Thank you again for your help!
Coclico

Good advice Ketta, I may do that with the Caron threads I use! (I assume no modern threads would actually desintegrate under the influence of vinegar?)