Stitchers' Forum
HelenMT
Member
Hi!
I'm new to cross stitching and was feeling really proud because I've just finished, this week, my first project - that is, until I washed it...
Now that it has dried, I still have a dirty mark where the embroidery hoop has been. I'm gutted!
I can't work, as Jane does, without a hoop because I have a deformed left hand - and I need my right hand to hold the needle.
It's taken me months to finish this project, and I'm really disappointed.
Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks!
Helen.
Jean Strange
Member
This is going to sound really wierd!! I read a series of murder mystery books set in an embroidery shop in the USA (books bought from Amazon and when I go to the States) and just yesterday I read about a lady who brought a piece with an embroidery hoop mark to the fictional shop, but it didn't say whether it was a dirty mark or just a crease. Anyway the author had them spray it with a mixture of white wine vinigar and water and then iron it dry. I don't know if it will work for a dirty mark or only a crease, but might be worth a try.
Good luck anyway and welcome to the Forum I'm sure you will get lots of tips and advice.
Jean
Christine Berrett
Administrator
Jean
I know this isn't relevant to the original post but I have to ask - are the books by Monica Ferris by any chance?
Christine
Jean Strange
Member
No Christine these are by Amanda Lee but have read Monica Ferris plus a few others on this type of book will e-mail you with other authors on this type of genre that I really enjoy. Have knittining, crochet, embroidery, cookery etc series that I have read. Loveley light easey read crime, after a stressful day at school they are fantastic ascapism.
Tinouche24
Member
Please could you put the authors names on the forum. I like easy reads after a stressful day at school as well and these sound fun. thanks.
Sorry I cannot help with the first query. I use a hoop but I always take my work out when I am not stitching. I know it doesn't help this time with your mark but it might prevent them in the future.
Auntie Beryl
Member
Welcome Helen, My sugestion would be a drop of washing-up liquid . Perhaps you would be better using a frame instead of a hoop . Dont give up the cross stitching , though . It is not easy coping with a disability ,but it certainly boost your confidence when you can compete in the "real" world! It might take me a little longer , or I may alter a chart slightly but I am always pleased with the result . Happy Stitching , Beryl
kandr.phillips@tesco.net
Member
Hi Helen: I always use a bar of Fairy Soap, the green household one. It's difficult to find these days but well worth the effort. Damp the soap slightly and rub gently on a stain or dirty mark. Wash you work in cool water afterwards, gently rubbing the area of the stain. As previously mentioned, take the hoop off when you are not working. Good luck.
Jean Strange
Member
O.K. as mentioned not really relevant to original post but a way to reieve stress, authors I have read with a "stitchy" theme. They are all murder mysteries but easy reads.
Monica Ferris stoties set around a shop called Crewel World
Mary Kruger, set around knitting shop Ariadne's Web
Elizabeth Lynn Casey a sewing group setting, The Sweet Briar Southern Sewing Circle
Sally Goldenbaum, Seaside Knitters Mysteries
Amanda Lee set around embroidery shop The Seven Year Stitch
Maggie Sefton stories set around knitting shop The House of Lambspun
Betty Hechtman set around a crochet group which meet in a bookshop, I'm not going to tell you the name of the group you need to discover it for yourself as some people who don't know much about crochet might misunderstand!!!!!
I have also read some of this genre set around various cooking type settings if anyone is interested in those authors am willing to post.
All the above authors are available from Amazon.co.uk and some are available on Kindle (sorry I love my new Kindle and am downloading lots of titles) It will be great to take to the Canary Isles at half term, just this one little device with LOADS of books to read on it!!! As long as I can charge it there will be no problem.
Hope any one who decides to dip in to the books enjoys.
Jean
Christine Berrett
Administrator
Thanks Jean I've made a note of that lot! And I don't know about anyone else, but I would be very happy for you to post a list of 'cookery' authors too :o)
I brought up the name of Monica Ferris in the first place because I'd never even heard of her until some kind soul introduced me to her books last year, and I very quickly became 'hooked'. I am always happy to discover other writers I'm not familiar with when friends with similar interests recommend them....
Christine
Christine Berrett
Administrator
On the original subject of soiled needlework, I wonder if any soap would work just as well if you couldn't get hold of Fairy Household soap itself?
Barbara Stone
Member
I don't think all types of soap would work, - I've tried other types before and they did nothing, apart from make your hands clean!!! On the other hand, can anybody recommend any decent books cos I'm in the same situation as Jean - I got a kindle for christmas and although I've downloaded a few, I've not got loads on it, and as I can now buy books and not take up any more storage space, I'm going to branch out. I might try a Monica Ferris book, so thanks Jean. I'll let you know what I think.
Jean Strange
Member
Hi Barbara
Unfortunately Monica Ferris is not available on Kindle, but some of the others are or have 1 or 2 of their books on Kindle if not all (usually those that have been in print for some time).
For those who wanted the cooking murder mystery authors here goes
Joanne Fluke set in a bakery
Isis Crawford catering business/coffee shop
Miranda Bliss bar/restaurant/cooking lessons
Diane Mott Davidson Catering business
Joanna Carl chocolate shop!!
Just be warned most of these books include recipes, and most of them are sweet ones, cakes, biscuits,cookies etc.
One more series I have read and enjoyed
Lorna Barrett set in a street of bookshops each specialising in a different type of book.
Hope you enjoy some of the books happy reading and stitching. In fact I think this lot could keep us going for quite some time!!
HelenMT
Member
Hi everyone!
I'm sorry that I haven't replied to any of you sooner than this. I've not been feeling too well. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for your suggestions. I think that I'd heard about using washing up liquid before. So, I might go for that one. I haven't decided yet. I will keep you informed...
Thank you all, once again.
Helen.
Christine Berrett
Administrator
Discovered that my local library has a whole shelf of Joanne Fluke books, but I can feel my weight going up by pounds as I read them :o(
Elsa H
Member
Hi everyone, this thread has brought back many memories of Fairy Washing Soap, Sunlight and Lifebuoy - does anyone remember like me the carbolic smell of the last one? The stinging sensation on skinned knees made you know that there was no way the germs could survive!
If the original poster has still got the problem, then Vanish stain remover (the bar, not the oxi powder) as a pre-wash might lift the mark. Otherwise, and this sounds REALLY weird, I have used an organic method on a greasy stain on a fabric that could only be washed at low temp - and it was brilliant. This is a bar made, amongst other things from ox bile! I bought it on the recommendation of a French lady at a farmer's market. It is also available under the trade names Sodasan and Galltval, both available on line. Best of luck
Janet
Member
Ive only ever washed my work in a mild solution of fairy liquid, I would imagine that vanish will work though,
Also Elsa, I remember carbolic soap as my father worked at a coal mine, and he used to bring soap home from the pithead baths, it was green pink or white and it was pure carbolic, but boy! did we smell clean after a bath, its funny that I have any skin left at all, no wonder I have to use sensitive skin products now!!
Elsa H
Member
My father wasn't in such a risky workplace as yours, Janet, he was a butcher. His hands were soft, unlike my mother's - she was a baker. The carbolic soap I mainly encountered was at school. Three times a week at primary school we learned knitting and sewing and our afternoon break was spent queueing up to wash our hands. Woe betide anyone who came into class with dirty hands. The water was scalding and the soap was deep pink. I too have had skin problems, and am now trying a nettle soap in the hope that I might see an improvement. Will let you know! Funny where a post can lead.
Barbara in France
Member
Hi All
I am new to the forum but noticed your message Elsa. I used to use a hoop but now do it the same as Jane. However, what I used to do in order to stop the hoop marking my work was to bind the hoop with strips of fabric, bind it all the way around, when you get to the end just put in a few tacks to keep the fabric secure. I think you will find this will help, you will not need to take off the hoop once you have finished stitching for the day either. Good luck with it.
Best wishes
Barbara in France
Tinouche24
Member
I have just found Monica Ferris on audible.co.uk.
I will give her a go.
Audible books are brilliant I can stitch and "read" at the same time. The best of both worlds !!!!
Jean Strange
Member
I agree I have lots of "talking" books. I listen to them while stitching and doing the ironing!! Anything to make that less boring. Have not noticed Monica Ferris on audio books before might have a look at the site too and have a go.
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