Finishing, Care and Maintenance of Embroidered Articles
Finishing, Care and Maintenance of Embroidered Articles tests what happens after the last stitch - and this is where marks are easily lost.
Finishing steps
- Remove all tracing marks: brush off chalk, sponge soluble pen with cold water, and never iron over chalk.
- Block the piece square on a padded board, wrong side up, pinning to measurement.
- Press on the reverse over a terry towel so stitches are not flattened; use a pressing cloth on silk and zari.
- Finish edges with hemming, lining, piping or framing; check that the article lies flat and the design is centred.
Care
- Wash with mild detergent in cold water, no bleach, no wringing; roll in a towel and dry flat in shade.
- Store folded along seams in muslin, not plastic; use neem or lavender sachets against moths; refold periodically to avoid crease lines.
- Zari darkens with rough washing; beads need a soft brush and no soaking.
- Treat stains promptly: grease with absorbent powder, ink with cold water, never hot.
Worked example
An embroidered cotton cushion is washed. Cold water with mild detergent, ten minutes' soak, gentle squeeze, two rinses, no wringing; roll in a towel to remove water, dry flat in shade; press on the reverse over a towel. Hot water, wringing or direct sun would shrink the cotton, fade the floss and set any stain.
Traps
Ironing the right side (flattens satin and melts zari), bleaching, hanging wet work (stretches it), storing in plastic (traps moisture and causes mildew), and trimming threads too close so the work unravels at the edge.