How do I get rid of the stickiness and stiffness of the wss after doing towels, I do not want to wash the article before giving it as a present.

There is another stabiliser you can use instead of WSS, it is called Dry Cover Up (now renamed to Fabric Cover UP)
It was recommended to me by a very knowledgeable Digitiser & Embroidery Guru.

It doesn't wash out, but remains under the stitches for the life of the garment, comes in many colours and allows you to embroider white over black without the white looking grey.

I have not tried it yet, but I ordered a 20 foot roll of neutral to try and I'm not embroidering any more towels until it arrives.

You can find out more at the first link below.

And you can purchase (best price I could find) from the second link.

I will add this post in main community so that everyone get to see it.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

I have also learned that I need to let the item soak to be sure the wss is out. Warm water works best. Best of luck.

I wash the area that is the design. For others, I just wash them to be sure that they look great washed. It is not like they can return them. But I only embroider stuff for my closest friends and relatives.