You have stitched the final X, and your design is complete. It is tempting to call it finished there, but the last hour of work, washing, pressing and framing, is what turns a completed piece of stitching into something you are proud to display. Rush this stage and even beautiful stitching can look flat. Here is how to finish properly.
Give it a gentle wash
Even careful stitching picks up hand oils, and your fabric may have gridding marks to remove. A gentle wash brightens the whole piece:
- Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water and a little mild soap
- Soak the piece flat for a few minutes, then swish very gently. Do not rub or wring
- If you used a washable fabric pen to grid, cool water dissolves the marks. Never use warm water on ink until you are sure it has gone, as heat can set some inks
- Rinse thoroughly in clean cool water until no soap remains
A wash also relaxes the fabric and evens out your stitches, so it is worth doing even on a clean-looking piece.
Dry it flat
Lift the wet piece carefully, supporting it so it does not stretch. Roll it in a clean towel and press gently to remove most of the water, then lay it flat on a dry towel to finish drying. Never hang wet stitching up to dry, as the weight of the water distorts the fabric.
Press, do not iron
Pressing removes creases and makes your stitches sit crisply, but a hot iron flattened straight onto the front will crush them. Instead:
- Lay a clean towel on your ironing board
- Place the stitching face down on the towel, so the stitches sink into the soft surface
- Cover the back with a thin cloth and press with a warm iron, not hot, moving gently
Pressing face down onto a towel protects the raised texture of your stitches, so they stay plump rather than squashed. Take extra care around backstitch and French knots.
Choose how to display it
With the piece clean and pressed, you have options:
- Framing behind glass gives a classic, protected finish for wall art
- Hoop display, leaving the work in an attractive hoop, is quick, modern and charming
- Making it into something, such as a cushion, card or ornament, suits smaller pieces
Our post on creative ways to display your work explores these in more detail.
Mounting for a frame
If you are framing, the piece needs mounting so it sits flat and centred:
- Centre the design carefully on your mount board before fixing it
- Lace or pin the fabric around the board so it is taut but not stretched out of shape
- Keep the grain straight, so horizontal and vertical stitches line up with the frame edges
A slightly wonky mount is the most common finishing mistake, so measure twice and take your time centring.
To glass or not to glass
Glass protects a framed piece from dust and hands, but it can flatten the texture and cause reflections. Some stitchers prefer to frame without glass to keep the tactile quality, or use a mount board to hold the glass slightly off the surface. There is no wrong answer, only your preference and how much handling the piece will get.
Sign your work
Before you seal it away, consider adding a small stitched initial and year on a corner or the back. It marks the piece as yours and turns it into a dated keepsake, which matters most for gifts and heirlooms like the ones in our wedding and baby keepsakes guide.
Enjoy the finish line
Finishing well is the reward for all those hours of stitching. Once your piece is washed, pressed and framed, find it a spot on the wall and enjoy it. Then, of course, it is time to choose your next project. Browse the pattern catalogue and start again.
A careful finish makes ordinary stitching look accomplished and accomplished stitching look stunning. Never skip it.