We all have something that is special for us in our wardrobe. You may take care of these pieces with all your heart. These could be pieces with tiny beads, hand-stitched details or some threads. People who make these pieces spend hours on them. Yes, they make it with care and love, making it more gorgeous. At the same time, these pieces also feel a bit intimidating.
It’s time to face some reality. Even if you have one wrong wash cycle, everything looks poor. You may not be able to wear that again. That’s why you should be caring for these pieces a little extra.
Why These Pieces Need Extra Love
Handwork is slow, thoughtful, and personal. Someone literally sat and stitched each detail. That’s why your embroidered and embellished pieces deserve a little more attention. Also, delicate threads, sequins, and beads don’t love washers or dryers the way your denim does.
There is no need to worry at all. All you need to know is the basics of caring for these items. If you do a little hard work, it will surely pay off. These pieces will never stop making you feel happy when you treat them the right way.
Source: Pinterest
Delicate Stitches | Hand Embroidery Designs
Start by Reading the Label (Even if You Never Do)
I know… labels are tiny, confusing, and sometimes feel like they’re written in hieroglyphics. But they matter for these pieces. If it says dry clean only, please don’t risk it. If it says hand wash, follow that like a sacred rule.
There are many embroidered pieces that use threads. They may bleed or shrink if you wash them using the wrong method. Read out the labels to know the safest temperature. See if bleach is good to use or not, and how to dry them.
If there’s no label? Search and learn the right way.
Hand Washing Is Your Best Friend
You may think it is old-school thinking, but you should handwash these pieces to keep them looking fresher each day. Here is what you can do.
- Take a bowl and fill it with cold or even lukewarm water.
- Add a mild detergent — baby shampoo even works.
- Now dip your pieces in and swirl, never do scrub
- Keep your focus on the fabric, not the embroidery
- At the end, rinse very gently and never wring at all.
That is it. All you need is five minutes, and you are done with the safe washing of your lovely pieces. There is no need to soak these pieces heavily for too many hours.
Source: stitchfloral.blogspot
How to wash hand embroidery with no worries – Stitch Floral
Spot Cleaning Saves Lives (and Outfits)
Most of the time, we get just a tiny stain on our clothes. So, it is never a good idea to go for a full wash for that. The best thing is to use a soft cloth, cold water and a just pinch of mild detergent to dab gently. This will take off the stain.
This is especially helpful for pieces with zari, sequins, stones, or threadwork that could loosen.
If you’re dealing with darker embroidery on lighter fabric, always spot test first. Some threads are moody and like to bleed.
Drying: The Step Most People Mess Up
Air drying is the only option here. But how you dry it is the real trick.
Never hang an embroidered piece from the shoulders. Hanging makes water pull the fabric down, causing stretching or misshaping.
Instead:
- Lay it flat on a towel
- Roll the towel like a burrito to remove extra water
- Unroll
- Lay flat again to dry
This keeps everything in place, including your delicate threads and embellishments.
Source: thedesigncart
Threads For Hand Embroidery
Avoid Sunlight (Your Embroidery Will Thank You)
Sun bleaching is real. And embroidery threads fade faster than you think. Dry your pieces in the shade or indoors where the air circulates nicely. Strong sunlight can turn bright colors dull way too quickly.
If you’ve ever seen a bright red thread turn orange… yep. Sunlight did that.
Ironing Without Damage
Ironing embroidered pieces is where panic usually sets in. But it doesn’t have to be stressful.
Just flip the garment inside out and use a warm (not hot) iron. If the embroidery is thick or beaded, place a thin cotton cloth on top before ironing. Steam works wonders too — especially for delicate fabrics that don’t like heat.
And please never drag the iron across beads or sequins. It melts them. Just gentle pressing is enough.
Storing Your Handwork Pieces
This part is almost as important as washing. Good storage keeps your embroidery looking fresh, vibrant, and intact.
Here’s what actually works:
- Store flat or folded, never hung.
- Wrap pieces in muslin or soft cotton cloths.
- Keep them away from direct sunlight.
- Use cedar blocks instead of mothballs (mothballs smell like regret).
- For heavily beaded outfits, add tissue between folds to avoid friction.
If you’re storing something long-term, refold it every few months so the creases don’t weaken the thread.
Quick Fixes for Loose Threads or Missing Beads
It happens. A thread comes loose, a bead pops off, or the embroidery looks a bit tired. Don’t panic — most small fixes are easy.
- Loose thread? Don’t pull. Snip and secure with a tiny knot.
- Missing bead? Many pieces come with extras — sew it on with a fine needle.
- Frayed edges? A tailor can clean it up without altering the design.
If it’s a heavy bridal or formal outfit, take it to a professional. They know how to handle complex work without ruining it.
Love Your Handcrafted Pieces, They Last Longer
Embroidered and handcrafted clothes aren’t just clothes. They’re tiny pieces of art. Someone spent hours — sometimes days — making something unique for you. Caring for them is like caring for jewelry or books. Gentle hands. A little intention. A little patience.
And the best thing? The more you care for them, the longer they stay beautiful. Some pieces even get passed down. Your future daughter or niece might love wearing the same hand-embroidered kurta or jacket someday. How sweet is that?
That’s how you can take good care of handmade pieces!
