Help with Red Work Squares
 

I have been working on red work embroidery squares to incorporate into a snow ball christmas quilt. What is the best way to wash after the embroidery is finished before cutting down and making into the quilt. Do I need to block the squares? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.

I would block the squares and once the quilt is completed, I would gently hand launder it. Please be sure to post a pic. when done. I love redwork!

I hand wash my squares in the sink when the hand embroidery is finished. When still damp I press them face down into a nice thick towel so the stitching doesn't flatten. Press & stitch the snowball corner on & trim to size.

Thanks so much for the quick responses, I just love this board and it's members. When you wash the squares in the sink, do you put them in the dryer on low and watch the closely or hang them to dry? I never have made a quilt before, I appreciate your help and can't wait to get on to the next step.

I made a Christmas redwork and block quilt. I did the redwork on bleached muslin, and I thought it was a little flimsy, so I fused each redwork piece to non-woven interfacing. I, too, did the "press into a towel" method so that the redwork stitches wouldn't get flattened. I have to confess that I didn't wash the redwork blocks. When the time comes, I plan to wash the whole quilt on gentle, with cold water and color catchers. You can see a picture of it here:

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...94495901iAgJxJ

psumom -- Your pictures are much more detailed then mine - beautiful job. I had backed my muslin with interfacing before embroidering -- I read somewhere that the back mess doesn't show through as much -- at least that is what I hope.

I love anything that is embroidered, I do alot of embroidery, and buttonhole stitch applique. I always use quilters dream batting on the back of my stitcheries. I love the look it gives my blocks and it hides the threads.

No, I don't put them in the dryer! I lay them flat on a towel until they air dry. I also use either a piece of flannel or plain muslin with my handwork. I trace my pattern on to the square first, then I baste the backing (close to the edge) onto the square & hand stitch through that.

I guess I am an old school embroiderer. I do not back my squares with anything. That being said I have done hand embroidery for 47 years! I have many friends tell me that the back of my squares look almost as good as the front. I tie off or travel in the stitches so I have neat and clean backs! But I have also known many that use the backings with good success! Luann in CT

May I suggest that you check the color fastness of your embroidery floss, some are better than others.....and you don't want any bleeding after all your hard work