Washing a project before its complete?

[kezibell]

Hi all,
Having a disappointing time at the moment with my project, I've left it alone for two days waiting to see what happens. I have been using a plastic snap frame, and as I am progressing, my stitched area has had to go under the frame itself.
The top of my project is block colour and the frame has marked it/indented it slightly and it is really noticeable - a line across the top stitched area. I always remove from the frame when I am finished and as I said, I have left it alone for a few days to see if it settles, but I can still see it. I think because it is a solid red colour, it really stands out to me.
So I wondered, if I tried soaking/washing the top end in some water, and leaving it to dry, then iron it, whether it would help.
I am really near finishing and was excited about getting it framed, but this line is really catching my eye, as I know its there!
In the meantime, I have ordered a larger snap frame and if need be, I may need to unstitch a whole lot of work! Aarrrrgh!

[BizzieLizzie]

The same thing happened to one of my HAED mini projects. A line of stitches got badly crushed by the wooden hoop I was using and I gave up on the piece (unlike you I wasn't that far into it, though). I put it away and forgot about it. After a few weeks I was rummaging in my stitching box and came across the damaged piece - no sign of the crushed stitches! They'd all bounced back and the damage was barely noticeable.

I think I heard somewhere (probably on this forum) that washing a piece before it's finished affects the tension, but I'm sure others will be along to confirm or deny that.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do with it.

[MaggieM1750]

Don't un-stitch just yet. Floss is cotton.. it will bounce back.
I frequently wash my projects mid completion. I like to draw on them with marker and sometimes I'll need a clean slate.
I end up with frame over stitches with just about every project I do as my Snaps are in an 8x8 configuration. Never had permanently squished stitches.

But since you said you were close to being done.. Finish it then give it a wash- cold water, mild soap. If you are nervous of threads bleeding, wash leftover thread first to see how they react. You shouldn't have trouble with straight DMC/ Anchor.

[Rose]

No do not un-stitch it the lines will disappear and if you are that close to a finish like Maggie said just go ahead and finish it off and then wash it will come out. I have q-snaps that go over stitches all the time the stitches are not ruined in anyway.

[Mystonique]

I left a UFO in a tight inch depth plastic hoop for years before I knew better ... asdumed it was totally destroyed ehat with the round hump in the middle of my meant to be flat piece ... and the totally squashed stitching hoop shape.

But a few days later it had totally bounced back ... no sign of crushing or hoop shaped stretch.

[kezibell]

Thank you all, yes my line across has now disappeared! I assume it just takes some time to settle back down.
However, in my haste and trying different ways, I did iron it, with a cloth over the top, but I do now have a "shiny" area in the corner, which I can only think has come from the iron! Aaarrrgh!
So now hoping this will vanish after a final wash through!
Don't want to feel disheartened with my first project - I was getting on so well!