missing a step or something? Any advice will be appreciated.

Just another version of other methods. I place between terry towels, roll it up and press out excess water. Then I place them on cooling rack that I use to cool cookies. Place another one on top of them. That way air can get to both sides to dry and it helps to keep them flat. In addition to that,after dried, I place them between terry towels and press with a steam iron. There terry towel prevents that shiny appearance that sometimes shows if using a smooth towel.

Ladies I use plastic canvas sheets. Sandwich the FSL and use to rinse out all the WS then lay on paper towel. Because it is plastic it does not stick. I bought a large sheet at Walmart for under 2 dollars and cut it in half. Works like a seive. All the stickiness gets washed away instead of having to rinse over and over and it helps to keep it flat.

1 comment

by clawton 12 Dec 2009

A neat idea!

snowhite, I see you have lots of info here on how to rinse and dry your FSL - I like to rinse mine in almost hot water - blot between two pieces of toweling - lay flat on surface and with a chop stick hold it as flat as I can - then blow it dry with a hair dryer. Work for me! *4U

I use one of the foam containers that meat comes in.Well washed of course, then I put my FSL between 2 pieces of plastic canvas put pins in it to hold the FSL down. Does a great job. You can dry it with a hair dryer or just leave it and nothing sticks.

Ann Salem

Snowhite. I just blot with the paper towels then move to wax paper, a piece bottom and a piece on top. The paper plates sound like a good idea too. I have found that the lace will stick to paper towels, and reg. towels. I have pressed mine, however, I use a press cloth, and a low setting on the iron. H&*

Thank you for asking this question. I use the same method of placing on towels topped with books but was concerned that the FSL sticks to the towels. I've also used waxed paper topped with heavy books. The problem with that is that the FSL doesn't dry very fast because no air gets to it. (I am always in a hurry) Do others use kitchen towels without nap or regular bath towels?

Try using wax paper or plactic wrapn and place under something heavy untill it's mostly dry then let the air take away the last bit of dampness
:)

What is wax paper ?
I've just asked Mr Google and is giving me: papier ciré, papier raffiné. Is it the paper we use in the kitchen to cook in the oven ? or is it a special paper for embroidery ?

2 comments

by babsie 11 Dec 2009

Wax paper is used for wrapping sandwiches for childrens school lunch box.

by cathiejones 12 Dec 2009

Thank you

I RINCE OUT THE FSL .BLOT WITH TOWEL GET CARD BOARD,WAX PAPPER AND STRIGHT PINES, SHAPE THE DESIGNE AND PIN IT IN PLACE WORKS FOR ME..HOPE THIS HELPS.

I place mine between two layers of towelling then place my heaviest, flat bottomed, cast iron, cooking pan on top of the towel until the FSL has dried completely.

Believe me, It is truly flat after this treatment! LOL!

Hugs n roses, Meganne

4 comments

by claudenicolas 11 Dec 2009

Dear meganne, I have not well understand your answer.You plce your FSL between 2 towels, and after, do you iron with a hot iron, and after you put this cooking pan?, I have not understand "flat bottomed cast iron"... and why a cooking pan, because it is heavy? it is fill up?

by mops 11 Dec 2009

cast iron = fonte. So it's a heavy pan made of cast iron and that keeps it flat. I usually iron FSL between to layers of cotton at the stand for silk (or ** on my iron).

by claudenicolas 11 Dec 2009

Thank you mops

by meganne 11 Dec 2009

Hi Claude, sorry if I confused you, I use one towel, folded over and put the FSL in between the folds. And the very heavy pan I place on the top of the towel and let it sit there all night or for as long as it takes for the FSL to dry. The pan has to be very flat on the bottom so it will sit flat.

IF you understand this pan is so heavy I need two hands to lift it, it is too heavy to lift it with just one hand!!!

You should see me trying to put it in the oven when it is full of food, I have muscles on my muscles. LOL!!!

Hugs n roses, Meganne

Hi Snowhite, there is no definate rule, press out as much water as you can, I use a heavy towel, then lay flat between two sheets of plastic or wax paper with some sort of weight on top for the night. I am using a heavy towel and throw pillow. Make sure you spread and shape the piece, or after drying you can steam iron the piece and pull into shape, easily!! I have been doing fsl for over a year, this is my speciality, and am still learning!! One thing, when doing 3D pieces that have been sewn together before rincing, use sheets of wax paper between each piece and leave the wax paper in until the piece is almost dry, lift the layers apart several times during the drying process. Hope this helps!!

wax paper

After I rinse the FSL I blot it with towel then lay it between 2 pieces of plastic cross stitch then lay something on top till it dries. Flat every time.
Loyce

I do alot of FSL designs. No real trick to keeping them flat after drying. I rinse the piece under running water, put it between towel paper and pat dry, then lay them flat on a dry towel and put another towel on top. Leave overnight this way to dry. Mine never curl up if the piece is of good quality digitizing with a solid base. If it is not, then curling is a problem and not much you can do but re-stiffen it and iron it. Pays to invest in a good quality design. Hope this helps.

I trim my H2O stabilizer very close to the stitching. This reduces some of the stickiness. Them I rinse the FSL under a running faucet of warm water. I can see the H2O stabilizer disappear while rinsing it . Then I take a paper towel, lay the FSL on it, fold the paper towel over it and blot the water out by pushing my hand on it. After this I use a form paper plate to lay the FSL on. I make sure the FSL is lying flat and allow it to dry, usually overnight. It doesn't stick to the plate. Hope this helps. You can also iron the FSL, but be careful not to scorch it.

maybe Shirlene will come to youe rescue. she does a lot of FSL.

1 comment

by aldoom 11 Dec 2009

o.k. don't laugh PLEASE! I camp a lot and have the plastic paper plate holders with holes over entire area, and I trim my fsl real close and place between two holders and hold under running water, shake, dry off your holders, and when the heat is on I then place it over vent with 2 or 3 cans holding it flat and in a matter of minutes mine is ready, just remove your perfect lace piece.This is the method I have used everytime and never have seen it anywhere on any forum. After you laugh at this country girl, try it - it works.Merry Christmas Alice