Sunday, March 8, 2026

Slow Sunday Stitching - March 8, 2026 - It's a DISASTER!

 First of all, everything is OK on the Mead Dragon.  I've been back to doing 100 stitches or so a day, and there are just 600 stitches to go.  I am on the last color!  Should be a finish this coming week, providing I do not have another disaster.

This week, my focus has been on Blackbird Designs "And to All a Good Night".  I had put in about six hours and had gotten to around the 85% mark, BUT.

Yesterday I was in a hurry and left a can of Dr. Pepper near my Blackbird Design piece.   I know better, I do.   I did not get a picture of the mess when the soda got knocked over.   Cue the panic, ripping it off the scroll rods and into a cold-water bath with SOAK needlework and yarn soap.

I knew it was a huge risk as this project has overdyed cotton floss and overdyed linen.   And there was a lot of bleeding.   And worse, a lot of dye migration as it dried. 


It doesn't look so bad in the photo, but there is a halo of red everywhere along the bricks and a swath of blue grey all around the roof.  The Cherry Bark in the door frame and letters ran too - more reds.

So much work ruined by just a second of inattention.  Just due to putting my drink down on the left side of my stitching chair near my workspace instead of over on the right where it would not have spilled down onto my work.  

I'm heartsick.   I'm not sure if I should try to rewash it with color catchers and a vinegar rinse.   Or to just trash it and start it over at some point with new floss and fabric.   Has anyone successfully rescued a project when the floss ran badly?   

If I can't get the disaster fixed, I will eventually restart it.  I do love the design, and I know it's a lot of people's "unicorn chart".  I was hoping to pass it on to someone in a RAK when I got it done, and that's not going to be able to happen now (the soda hit the chart, too.  At least it's still readable for a second attempt, though not in condition to pass on.)

Linking up with the SSS crew for sympathy or solutions - I'll take either!


7 comments:

  1. Please, please, don't trash it! Listen, Dawn is the best "colour catcher" EVER! So the entire project in warm water with a few drops of regular blue Dawn. See this post to understand my disastrous adventure that ended well. https://atthecornerofscrapandquilts.blogspot.com/2017/01/hidden-gems-seasons-finale.html
    I know that embroidery thread is not like a flat piece of fabric so you might have to soak it more than once but, what do you have to lose? ;^)

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  2. So sorry about your disaster. I just sold that same cross stitch kit on my Etsy shop this morning!

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  3. Oh no, I feel your pain! I don't have a solution, but Chantal's sounds like a good idea. Sending a hug for good luck!

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  4. I hope you are able to save this project! This is not what any of the slow stitchers want to happen to our stitching. Take care. Gail at the cozy quilter

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  5. Oh no, so sorry to read about your disaster, I do hope you get some expert advice to fix it. Although I don't do this type of handwork i certainly admire you and everyone else who put so many hours into your beautiful projects.

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  6. This is terrible for sure...all those beautiful tiny stitches. But I agree with others here...some have had amazing success with colour catchers and Dawn is well known to be a gentle and effective cleaner. So do give those another try before putting it away. Good Luck!

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  7. I would definitely wash again and safety pin color catcher sheets to both sides of the bleed, and although I haven't tried Dawn (blue) I have heard many folks have had success with that. You must be heart sick!

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