Thank you! Decades ago when I cross stitched, I had heavenly Aida. I was horrified at the quality I recently found. I'm so relieved there is a solution. Thank you. I wonder why the manufacturers are doing this to the cloth in the first place. Surely they would save money by skipping the step of making it hard. People who want stiff fabric can just use a hoop.
Thanks for the video. It was very helpful. I recently purchased some Zweigert 18 Ct vintage mocha which was printed on one side. Can I do this process on this one to soften it up without losing the mottling?
Thank you so much for this tutorial ! Also, your fabric dyeing tutorial is the best. I'm getting ready to dye some Aida for my first time and these videos are very helpful. Thanks again. 🙂
I have been waiting for a video like this. I am definitely going to try it soon. People who hand dye the fabric and sell it have nice soft Aida so I knew it was possible. Thanks for the video!
Interesting technique! I have customers ask me this question all the time and I’ve never tried to do it myself. I carry mostly Zweigart rather than the cheaper brands of Aida, but it is still too stiff for some stitchers. The hand-dyed fabrics are always softer because the sizing has been washed out of them OR the dyers use unsized fabric to start with. I will share this video, for sure! Shelly
I just throw my un-dyed Aida (with serged edges) in the washing machine on the gentle cycle with Woolite. Then toss in the dryer on a gentle cycle cool temp. Take out when slightly damp and then iron it.
If you know you want it super soft, should you just let it soak 24 hours- or do you think a rinse and wash with Dawn and dry 5 minutes in the middle of the time helps with the softening? Soaking some aida right now!!
Hey Jackie! Thanks for the tutorial! When you put the cloth in the dryer for five minutes will it still be pretty damp? Iron it when damp? Does this process shrink the Aida? At 67 my eyes are not what they used to be 🤣AND if my piece is already stitched with DMC would this process work? Thanks!
When I put it in the dryer it is wet but not soaked. Rolling it in the towel does remove a lot of the moisture. You put the dryer on low so it shouldn't cause your fabric to shrink and when I pull it out it usually is not completely dry, but close. I would think doing this to a completed piece may make the Floss bleed, but I am no expert. Jacque
Thank you! Decades ago when I cross stitched, I had heavenly Aida. I was horrified at the quality I recently found. I'm so relieved there is a solution. Thank you.
I wonder why the manufacturers are doing this to the cloth in the first place. Surely they would save money by skipping the step of making it hard. People who want stiff fabric can just use a hoop.
Thank you !!!! I’m trying your method right away.
Wonderful! Let me know how it goes. 😁
Thanks for the video. It was very helpful. I recently purchased some Zweigert 18 Ct vintage mocha which was printed on one side. Can I do this process on this one to soften it up without losing the mottling?
Wooohooo! 🎉 so excited to watch- thank you!!
😊😊😊
Thank you! I have been looking for a video to walk me through the process of softening Aida. It was very easy and helpful! Thank you.
You are so welcome! 😁
Great process! Thanks so much!
You are so welcome! 😁🪡
Hi Jacque! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I will have to try this sometime in the future. Happy Stitching!
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much. I've saved this in my tutorials.
Glad it helped!
Excellent! I will definitely be doing this. Thank you so much!
You're so welcome!
Thank you so much for this tutorial ! Also, your fabric dyeing tutorial is the best. I'm getting ready to dye some Aida for my first time and these videos are very helpful. Thanks again. 🙂
You are so welcome! Let me know how your dyeing turned out. Jacque
I have been waiting for a video like this. I am definitely going to try it soon. People who hand dye the fabric and sell it have nice soft Aida so I knew it was possible. Thanks for the video!
The fabric the dyers use does not have a starch added to it.
Thank you for sharing. I enjoy stiff Aida. It’s good to see different points of view.
You’re welcome 😊
Thank you. I will give it a try.
Thanks for sharing. I plan to try your technique.
Wonderful! Let me know if it works for you. 😁
I’m definitely going to try this.
Please do! And let me know how it comes out. Jacque 🪡🪡🪡
Great tutorial!
Thank you!
Interesting technique! I have customers ask me this question all the time and I’ve never tried to do it myself. I carry mostly Zweigart rather than the cheaper brands of Aida, but it is still too stiff for some stitchers. The hand-dyed fabrics are always softer because the sizing has been washed out of them OR the dyers use unsized fabric to start with. I will share this video, for sure! Shelly
It was a wonderful tip that I learned from one of the groups I am in. 🪡🪡🪡
I just throw my un-dyed Aida (with serged edges) in the washing machine on the gentle cycle with Woolite. Then toss in the dryer on a gentle cycle cool temp. Take out when slightly damp and then iron it.
I am so glad you found a technique that works for you. 🪡🪡🪡
This helps me so much. I just dyed my first fabric and wanted to cry because it is so stiff.
I would do the process on your fabric and if the color fades out, just re-dye it.
This is a great trick! Can you do this with dyed Aida? Thank you for showing this.
I guess it would depend if it is overdyed or not.
@@CrossMyStitches I’m doing some now & it’s working! Thanks for the info!
Since your re-using the vinegar do you add more fabric softener each time you use it?
No. I did that for the sake of the video. Thanks for watching.
I had the same question!
If you know you want it super soft, should you just let it soak 24 hours- or do you think a rinse and wash with Dawn and dry 5 minutes in the middle of the time helps with the softening? Soaking some aida right now!!
I think the rinsing and washing between soaks helps in removing of the starch.
@@CrossMyStitches thank you!
Hey Jackie! Thanks for the tutorial! When you put the cloth in the dryer for five minutes will it still be pretty damp? Iron it when damp? Does this process shrink the Aida? At 67 my eyes are not what they used to be 🤣AND if my piece is already stitched with DMC would this process work? Thanks!
When I put it in the dryer it is wet but not soaked. Rolling it in the towel does remove a lot of the moisture. You put the dryer on low so it shouldn't cause your fabric to shrink and when I pull it out it usually is not completely dry, but close. I would think doing this to a completed piece may make the Floss bleed, but I am no expert. Jacque