Welcome to the Twist & Thread Co. blog! We pour hours of love, care, and quality materials into every stitch we create, and we want your beautiful, embroidered items—whether they're patches, clothing, home décor, or accessories—to last a lifetime.
Proper care is essential for maintaining the vibrance of the thread colors and the integrity of the stitching. Follow this detailed guide to ensure your embroidered products have maximum longevity.
The Golden Rules of Washing Embroidered Products
Washing is where most damage can occur. Following these simple steps will significantly extend the life of your embroidery.
1. Always Wash Inside Out
This is the single most important rule for embroidered apparel and items with large designs.
- Why it helps: Turning the item inside out protects the embroidery from the agitation and friction of the washing machine drum and other garments, preventing the threads from fraying, snagging, or pilling.
2. Choose Cold Water and a Gentle Cycle
Hot water and harsh agitation are the enemies of thread color and fabric stability.
- Temperature: Always use cold water (or lukewarm at the absolute maximum). Hot water can cause the underlying fabric to shrink, pucker the embroidery, and, most importantly, cause the thread dyes to bleed or fade rapidly.
- Cycle: Select the "Delicates," "Hand Wash," or "Gentle" cycle on your washing machine.
3. Use Mild Detergent
Avoid harsh chemicals that can strip the color and weaken the fibers.
- What to use: Use a mild, color-safe detergent.
- What to avoid: Never use bleach (chlorine or non-chlorine) on embroidered items, as it will rapidly damage the thread color and can dissolve certain synthetic stabilizers. Also, minimize the use of fabric softeners, as they can sometimes leave a residue on the embroidery floss.
4. Consider Hand Washing (The Best Option)
For very delicate, complex, or heirloom embroidery, hand washing is the safest method.
- How-to: Fill a clean basin with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent. Gently swish the item and allow it to soak for no more than 15–20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly in cold, clear water until all soap is gone. Do not wring or twist the item.
Drying for Longevity
The drying process is crucial for preventing puckering and maintaining the shape of the garment.
1. Air Dry is King
The heat and tumbling of a dryer are notorious for causing shrinkage and distortion.
- Method: Always lay the item flat to air dry if possible. If it's a piece of apparel (like a T-shirt or hoodie), reshape it gently while damp and hang it on a padded hanger or lay it flat on a mesh drying rack.
- Puckering: Machine drying can cause the stabilizer used beneath the embroidery to harden or shrink, resulting in a permanent, wrinkled or "puckered" look around the design.
2. If You Must Tumble Dry...
If you are short on time and must use a machine dryer:
- Use the lowest heat setting possible.
- Tumble dry for a very short period (just to remove major moisture), then finish by air drying.
Ironing and Finishing Touches
Ironing can make your embroidery look crisp and professional again, but it must be done carefully.
1. Ironing Inside Out (Again!)
Just like washing, ironing should protect the threads from direct, damaging heat.
- Technique: Place a clean pressing cloth (a thin towel or muslin fabric) over the top of the embroidery, or turn the garment inside out.
- Setting: Use a low to medium heat setting and apply steam sparingly. Never place a hot iron directly onto the embroidery threads without a protective layer, as this can flatten the stitches and even melt certain synthetic threads.
2. Use a Towel Cushion
When ironing the area around the design, lay the item face-down on a thick, soft towel.
- Why it works: This allows the stitches to sink into the towel pile, preventing them from being crushed and maintaining their beautiful three-dimensional texture.
🚫 Quick-Check Do Nots
For the absolute best results, make sure you never do the following:
| Action | Result/Why to Avoid |
| Soak the product for long periods (over 30 min). | Allows colors to bleed and weakens the adhesive on patches. |
| Wring or twist the embroidered area. | Distorts the stitches and stretches the fabric permanently. |
| Use Chlorine Bleach. | Bleach destroys thread dyes and fabric fibers. |
| Dry clean unless the tag specifically allows it. | The chemicals in dry cleaning can damage some stabilizers. |
| Iron directly on the embroidery without a cloth. | Flattens the design and may melt or scorch the threads |
Handling a Loose Thread or Snagged Stitch
1. Stop and Assess the Damage
- Do NOT Pull: The most important rule! Never pull on the loose thread or snag. Pulling will only loosen more stitches or pull the existing thread out further, making the problem worse.
- Locate the Source: Determine where the thread has come loose. Is it a single stitch that has been pulled up, or is the tail of the thread from the back of the embroidery starting to poke through?
2. Fixing a Snagged or Looped Stitch
This is when a stitch gets pulled up and creates a loop or is hanging loose but is still firmly attached.
- Gently Smooth the Area: Use your fingers to gently smooth the fabric around the embroidery. Sometimes the fabric itself is just bunched up, and smoothing it out can help the stitch lie flat again.
- Use a Needle or Pin: Take a fine-tipped sewing needle, a straight pin, or even a toothpick.
- Tug the Loop Down: Gently insert the tip of the needle or pin next to the snagged loop and use it to very lightly push the loop back down into the fabric hole it came from. Do this in small, controlled movements. You are trying to distribute the excess thread back through the tension of the neighboring stitches.
- Secure the Area (Optional): If you are concerned the thread will pop up again, you can use a small drop of fabric glue or clear nail polish on the backside of the embroidery where the thread tail is. This will bond the thread to the bobbin thread/backing. Be very careful not to let it seep through to the front.
3. Dealing with a Cut or Broken Thread
If the thread has been completely severed and you have a small, loose tail poking out:
- Trim Carefully (Last Resort): If the thread is clearly broken and no longer attached to the main embroidery, you can trim the tail with very sharp, small embroidery scissors (like cuticle scissors).Trim ONLY what is necessary. Leave a tiny, 1/8-inch tail.Do not cut it flush with the fabric. Cutting too close can make the entire section unravel.
- Trim ONLY what is necessary. Leave a tiny, 1/8-inch tail.
- Do not cut it flush with the fabric. Cutting too close can make the entire section unravel.
- Tuck and Secure:Using a fine needle, gently poke the small remaining thread tail into the fabric next to the embroidery. The goal is to hide it beneath the dense stitches.Once tucked, flip the garment over to the back.Apply a tiny dab of fabric glue (Fray Check is ideal) or clear nail polish to the spot on the back where the tail is secured. This will lock it down permanently and prevent further unravelling.
- Using a fine needle, gently poke the small remaining thread tail into the fabric next to the embroidery. The goal is to hide it beneath the dense stitches.
- Once tucked, flip the garment over to the back.
- Apply a tiny dab of fabric glue (Fray Check is ideal) or clear nail polish to the spot on the back where the tail is secured. This will lock it down permanently and prevent further unravelling.
- For Significant Damage: If a large section of the embroidery is loose due to a broken thread, the best action is to take it to a professional dry cleaner or tailor who specializes in garment repair. They may be able to re-stitch the small section.
By taking these simple precautions, you are not just cleaning your products—you are preserving the artistry of the needlework. We hope this guide helps you enjoy the beauty and detail of yourTwist & Thread Co. itemsfor many years to come!
Happy Stitching and Happy Cleaning!
Do you have any care questions about a specific product you own? Feel free to reach out to the Twist & Thread Co. team!
