How to launder red work embroidery

by Glenda
(Heber Springs, AR, USA)

How do I safely launder red work embroidery? I do not know if the red embroidery, which is on white pillow shams, has ever been "set". There are no stains on the white cotton fabric, but they are slightly yellowed. These are about 10 years old and have never been laundered.

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by: Carol

Glenda, if it were mine, I would check the back of the piece for any ends of thread and snip some off short. I would then place these on an absorant white fabric or paper. I would then wet them and check after a while to see if any of the red color has bled onto the white surface. If not, then you should be ok to go ahead and gently hand wash, in luke warm water.

You mentioned that the pillowshams are at least 10 years old. Older threads are more likely to be run resistant than modern ones, due to laws that came into place regarding chemicals that could be used in dyes.

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