Embroidery Embroidery Finishing and Care 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'blocking' in embroidery finishing?
- Preventing stitch errors by masking off areas of the design
- Dampening and reshaping embroidery to correct distortion before framing (Correct answer)
- Applying fabric stiffener to make embroidery rigid
- Separating thread strands to the correct count
Correct answer: Dampening and reshaping embroidery to correct distortion before framing
Blocking involves dampening the finished embroidery and pinning it into the correct shape on a foam board while it dries, correcting any distortion caused during stitching.
Question 2: What is the best method for washing a finished embroidered piece made with cotton thread on cotton fabric?
- Machine wash in hot water with regular detergent
- Hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap (Correct answer)
- Dry clean only
- Spot clean with bleach solution
Correct answer: Hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap
Hand washing in cool water with a mild soap or specialist needlework wash is the safest method for cleaning embroidery, minimizing risk of color bleeding or fiber damage.
Question 3: How should completed embroidery be stored long-term to prevent damage?
- Folded tightly in a plastic bag
- Rolled around a acid-free tube and wrapped in acid-free tissue paper (Correct answer)
- Hung in direct sunlight to air out
- Stored flat in a cedar chest
Correct answer: Rolled around a acid-free tube and wrapped in acid-free tissue paper
Rolling embroidery around an acid-free tube and wrapping it in acid-free tissue prevents creasing, crushing stitches, and acid degradation of fibers over long-term storage.
Question 4: What is the purpose of using a pressing cloth when ironing embroidery?
- It helps transfer designs onto the fabric
- It protects stitches from direct iron heat that could flatten or melt them (Correct answer)
- It absorbs excess moisture from the fabric
- It prevents the iron from slipping on the fabric
Correct answer: It protects stitches from direct iron heat that could flatten or melt them
A pressing cloth placed between the iron and embroidery prevents the direct heat from flattening raised stitches or scorching delicate threads.
Question 5: How should embroidery be ironed to avoid flattening the stitches?
- Iron directly on the front at high heat
- Place face-down on a thick towel and press from the back with a damp cloth (Correct answer)
- Iron on the front using a dry iron at maximum heat
- Do not iron embroidery under any circumstances
Correct answer: Place face-down on a thick towel and press from the back with a damp cloth
Pressing embroidery face-down on a thick towel allows the stitches to sink into the towel pile, preventing flattening while allowing the fabric to be smoothed from the back.
Question 6: What causes embroidery thread to fade over time, and how can it be prevented?
- Moisture causes fading; store in dry conditions only
- Ultraviolet light causes fading; frame under UV-protective glass and avoid direct sunlight (Correct answer)
- Heat causes fading; store in cool locations only
- Washing causes all fading; never wash embroidery
Correct answer: Ultraviolet light causes fading; frame under UV-protective glass and avoid direct sunlight
UV light from sunlight and fluorescent lights causes thread colors to fade; using UV-protective glass for framing and keeping embroidery away from direct light preserves colors.
Embroidery Embroidery Finishing and Care 1
What is 'blocking' in embroidery finishing?