Advice for unpicking work

[debpeb]

Hi
I started a cross stitch design on 14 count Aida and decided I wasn't happy with the work so started to unpick it all. I was hoping to use the fabric again but the holes I've stitched through are larger and unsightly and when I've tried washing Aida in the past it looses it stiffness and seems to shrink slightly. Are there any cross-stitchers that can advise me on how I will be able to unpick the design and not have the fabric go to waste? Thank you in advance.

[Rose]

Well yes the fabric is going to loose the stiffness because you have washed the starch that is use on the manufacturing is washed out. That does not mean that it is unusable. I wash all of my fabric. Sometimes before finishing and always at the end of stitching. If you want the stiffness back then you can buy starch and after washing you can iron the fabric and spray it with starch to give it back its stiff. Use a very hot iron and you can spray it on both sides of the material.

I have only known the fabric to shrink very slightly to its original size because stitching and having the material in a frame, hoop, scroll will stretch it just a bit.

[NeedleAndFork]

Washing the fabric will help with getting the threads relaxed a bit and back into proper position. Just be super careful when unpicking that you don't accidently snip the fabric! I like to use a pair of curved scissors and snipp on the front through the top leg of most of the stitches and then use tweezers to pull the floss out. You might also be able to use a lint roller to pull the floss out if you snip every single stitch.

As for the fabric softening - that's because most fabric has sizing applied to it while it is being processed. If you're putting the fabric in a hoop or frame to stitch, that won't matter. If you're stitching in hand though that might get difficult. I'd recomment sticking with using a frame or hoop since it's harder to get an even tension on soft fabric.

[richardandtracy]

It's not something I've done, or heard of, but it occurs to me that spray on starch (as used by some people for ironing) may stiffen the fabric up a bit after washing. It should then wash out when you wash the piece after finishing.

There may be problems with this, and more experienced people could chime in to give a yay or nay.

Regards,

Richard

[Allyn]

How hard are you picking it? If you're pulling the threads as you 'frog,' you may be pulling the holes open. If that's the case, don't pull so hard.
If the stitches looked okay before you frogged, then the holes may look more open just by having the needle passed through them as you stitched (especially if you're using a large needle like a #24) and when you stitch through the same holes, the new stitches will be fine.
If the fabric is softer after you washed the sizing out, that's okay. Some people don't like stiff fabric and will wash the sizing out before they start any new project. Unless you're using fabric or threads that aren't colorfast, washing the project when you finish is usually what folks do anyway so it ends up getting washed one way or another.
So. . . . .I guess I don't see a problem. Frog the old thread, iron the piece of fabric if you want it smooth after washing it, and reuse it.

[debpeb]

Thank you for all your advice. I use a 24 needle, never heard of "frogging" but I will try all your suggestions. When washing the fabric the holes seem to "shrink" but as I don't usually use a hoop I'll give it a go and see if that works. Thanks again, much appreciated

[Allyn]

Follow up and let us know how it went.

[Corey.G]

I'm not sure if you're still keeping up with this thread. But the lifesaver I have found is called a stitch ripper. You can get them in most sewing kits, especially the ones that are small enough for your pocket. I find them at dollar stores and Walmart.

You just run the end that looks like a barb for a fishing hook, underneath the stitches at the front, and back if you like. Then you can just pick them out by hand. Love this tool and has become a favourite in my arsenal. Here's a pic of one;

[Allyn]

I'm not sure if you're still keeping up with this thread. But the lifesaver I have found is called a stitch ripper. You can get them in most sewing kits, especially the ones that are small enough for your pocket. I find them at dollar stores and Walmart.

You just run the end that looks like a barb for a fishing hook, underneath the stitches at the front, and back if you like. Then you can just pick them out by hand. Love this tool and has become a favourite in my arsenal. Here's a pic of one;

That seam ripper is a common sewing notion. I use suture scissors for a little more control.

And then I give it a light brush with a booboo stick:
http://www.nordicneedle.com/prod/6726.html" target="_blank
And all the stray fibers and cut threads are gone.

[NeedleAndFork]

That seam ripper is a common sewing notion. I use suture scissors for a little more control.

And then I give it a light brush with a booboo stick:
http://www.nordicneedle.com/prod/6726.html" target="_blank" target="_blank
And all the stray fibers and cut threads are gone.

I wonder if a CLEAN mascara brush would work as a booboo stick. It looks pretty similar! Or a teeny tiny bottle brush? Maybe the next time I'm at a department store I'll see if I can coax someone at the makeup counter to spare me one of their disposable mascara brushes that they use for makeovers. I'd say I'd rescue one from some ancient mascara I need to toss out but I doubt I'd ever get it clean enough to feel safe using it on my stitching.

[Allyn]

I wonder if a CLEAN mascara brush would work as a booboo stick. It looks pretty similar! Or a teeny tiny bottle brush? Maybe the next time I'm at a department store I'll see if I can coax someone at the makeup counter to spare me one of their disposable mascara brushes that they use for makeovers. I'd say I'd rescue one from some ancient mascara I need to toss out but I doubt I'd ever get it clean enough to feel safe using it on my stitching.

I honestly don't know. It's been years since I used mascara, so I don't remember how soft or stiff the bristles were. I like Judy's BooBoo Stick because it has two sets of bristles -- one end long/soft and one end short/stiff. One end pulls the clipped threads and the other end picks up all the fuzz. If you try something else, give us a report.

[debpeb]

Thank you for your advice I have been away from the computer busy doing a new project for Mum's birthday so I was trying to concentrate on that! I decided to have a morning of organising my cross stitching stuff and can't believe how many projects I started on with probably no intention of finishing (birth sampler...the girl is now 2!!!, Christmas cards I had no intention of sending, a Summer sampler i've lost the pattern to...I really need to be more organised!!!) and have just started to unpick some of the work but wondered if there was a quicker way of unpicking than using a needle and going through separate stitches as it's giving me a headache literally and was leading to the start of a migraine! I think i'll be popping down to the local haberdashery for an unpicker I still haven't unpicked the project I started to unpick but will let you know how it goes