Test a metallic, silk, cotton, or rayon thread for bleeding

It's a potential disaster that every stitcher fears: a thread color bleeding. While most colors are safe, there are others with reputations: reds, oranges, greens for instance. What can you do if you've washed your needlework and discovered a bleed? Read on for tips from stitchers. We have not tested these, so you may want to try them on scrap stitching first*. 

Suggestions:

• "Prewash any thread that could possibly bleed. Let dry before using in stitching."
• "Soak the piece in ice cold water until the color starts to come out. Then, rub ice cubes over the area and put it back into fresh ice water and soak again. Repeat these steps using clean water until the area is clear." See Carina's Craft Blog here for her test of this cold-water technique. 
• "Rinse and repeat. Rinse the piece in very cold water, and allow it so sit for a few minutes. If the color doesn't start to come out by itself, then run an ice cube over the affected fabric until the color comes off."
• "If you see any signs of bleeding while you are washing your stitchery, stop washing, and start rinsing under running cold water right away. Rinse for several minutes and then let it soak in cold water." Click here for more information from Needlework Retailer on cleaning needlework.

*It's a good idea to have a test swatch on which you make a few stitches and wash to make sure a thread doesn't bleed. OR, cut a length of the thread and soak it in water.