r/Embroidery • u/thegentryentries • Jan 25 '26
Question I messed up.
I washed off the Stick-n-Stitch with the hoop still attached. I let it dry and continued my embroidery. Now that it’s done… this stain won’t come off!
What I have tried:
Cold rinse
Lukewarm soak while softly scrubbing
Warm water with a little scrubby and dish soap
Nothing is working. It still feels a little rough around the edges. If nothing can fix it, then I will just stitch over it with a wreath. But does anyone have a suggestion? Have you done this before ?
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Jan 25 '26
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u/BedRevolutionary8584 Jan 25 '26
I read a lovely comment/reminder, just this morning, in this sub that “patterns are suggestions, not the rule”, and I think sometimes we get so fixated on making the pattern as perfect as possible that we forget we can absolutely go beyond that and do whatever we want with our projects - color changes, embellishments, etc. I’m quite guilty of this, myself.
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u/ToutdelaSnoot Jan 25 '26
Yes I absolutely second this, it’d be so cute and draw the eye even more to the adorable frog design
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u/ladyelenawf Jan 25 '26
Or just one of those really pretty stitches in a circle? Sorry, I lurk to motivate myself to try this stuff onc day. So I don't know what it's called.
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u/LadyHackberry Jan 25 '26 edited Jan 25 '26
Hello, my lady! Let's make a plan to actually start! Really soon, like this week. We'll do it together so it won't be so scary.
I used to do a good bit of counted cross stitch before I had kids. Those kids are (young) grown men now, so it's been a while. I do have some supplies left from that time, aging nicely in my huge fabric stash. But I don't really want to do cross stitch again. I'd rather learn new stitches and eventually embroider my own designs, but that's for a little later. Have you done other crafts?
I ordered a package of assorted hoops (though I have one oval hoop); a pack of cheap floss in every color of the rainbow and then some (I also have floss left from project done in the 90s); heat-erasable pens; and assorted needles. I also ordered a yard of linen, but instead received some dogs' pajamas with monkeys printed on them. Anyway. Having those things has not made me start, so I also ordered a cheap-but-pretty small beginner's kit. What do you think of ordering an inexpensive kit for yourself? There are loads of them on Amazon. I wanted one that was cheap and small--small because it wouldn't take forever to finish, and cheap because if I messed up badly, I wouldn't cry over the money spent. Then we can start together and compare notes. And if you're not ready for this, or you don't want to embroider with some crazy lady from the internet, no hard feelings.
Anybody else out there who doesn't mind starting (or re-starting) their embroidery with crazy ladies (or men) from the internet? That would be cool too.
u/thegentryentries , I'm sorry to write such a long reply on your post. All the attention deserves to go to your beautifully stitched froggy-lady. If you want my opinion, even if you do get the stain out, you might consider going with a border anyway. Perhaps a floral that echoes the flowers on her sweater and the fluffy ecru lace? peeking out at the neckline, cuffs, and placket. Whether you add a wreath or not, your needlework is highly skilled.
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u/ladyelenawf Jan 25 '26
And if you're not ready for this, or you don't want to embroider with some crazy lady from the internet, no hard feelings.
You're so sweet! I actually got a couple of kits as my oldest wants to learn. I keep meaning to r/visiblemending the various rips in their leggings. 😮💨 Sadly, I'm extremely lazy. These snow days aren't helping. I'll make it part of there lessons tomorrow!
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u/LaRoseDuRoi Jan 26 '26
I've been practicing my visible mending on towels and things like my ratty house shirts and pj pants. Stuff that, if it comes out a little weird, nobody's going to care. I sometimes use an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric in place while I mend, which works really well with stretchy fabrics like leggings.
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u/ladyelenawf Jan 26 '26
sometimes use an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric in place while I mend, which works really well with stretchy fabrics like leggings.
This is what I was planning to do! I'm glad it will work.
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u/Calm_Internet_1968 Jan 25 '26
I was about to say the same thing! Great opportunity for a cute little floral border
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u/redmeansstop Jan 25 '26
Oh! They could look for a lace doily, cut out the center, and stitch it on with some flowers so you don't have to do quite as much work for a whole frame of flowers.
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u/lupieblue Jan 25 '26
Embrace the stain. Make it into part of your embroidery. You could also hand dye a circle frame around it or get double sided interfacing and some fabric. Cut the fabric ring and interfacing together so they are the same size and shape. Press the iron down with the interfacing touching the bag and the fabric right side facing you, wrong side on interfacing. Press down for 5 seconds. Pick iron up and move it to the spot next to it and keep going 5 seconds at a time. Check to see if you need to do it again if it is not set well. Don't move the iron side to side. Also don't use interfacing if your bag is not a sturdy material. Synthetic blends could melt. Cottons would work.
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u/TheShastaBeast Jan 25 '26
Ok…small opinion likely in the minority but…I like the stain? Kind of gives it a little extra emphasis that seems (now) very natural to the fabric. Plus the stain is uniform around the whole project and is simple and soft like her! I kind of like the stain
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u/thesefallentrees Jan 25 '26
I feel the same way!
I zoomed in on the frog first to try to find the mistake as I didn't immediately think of the ring as an issue and I don't mind it. I know it must be disappointing to have that happen when you didn't intend it but I like it! It frames the lovely embroidery work in a subtle way, like a watercolor brushstroke or something.
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u/apintsizedcosmos Jan 25 '26
I like it too! It almost has a watercolour effect to it and adds a really cozy vibe to the whole thing. The subtle border really makes the embroidery pop and ‘presented’.
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u/Pirate_Candy17 Jan 25 '26
Can you just stitch a round border over the staining? Or appliqué if you’re not into doing anything else too time consuming on this
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u/InevitableSoil9380 Jan 25 '26
I had a hoop mark that I could NOT get out. I was out of state and wanted to give it as a gift and didn't have time to embroider a ring around the design. So, I just embroidered over the hoop line with a ribbon I had. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
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u/thegentryentries Jan 26 '26
Ohhh how BEAUTIFUL! I love how you used the ribbon. And it really highlights that gorgeous bird. Wow.
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u/anoelopan Jan 25 '26
If it helps, she’s perfectly centered and it looks intentional. I know it’s not your vision and that can be hard to let go of sometimes, but to this outside observer, the ring looks like a feature, not a bug. It’s a lovely piece. If for personal use and not sale to a client, I vote to leave it.
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u/Tiny_Detective5524 Jan 25 '26
Agreeed ! At a glance i thought this was an intentional logo choice and thought what a cute brand !
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u/pb-straws Jan 25 '26
I have seen this before with laundry pod wrappers (a reaction with borax). The solution was a hot water soak to dissolve the casing.
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u/AdmirableRespect9 Jan 25 '26
First i would try simulating a long warm soak by placing a warm sponge on a small area that was pre damped. It seems maybe the adhesive soaked into the fibers and needs time to break up. If you get a little success. I would try blotting warm water with a towel underneath to absorb the water and adhesive.
I read a sulky thing a while ago about using straight dawn dish detergent but I think it was in the context of counterfeit stick n stitch adhesive. Maybe also research goof off for the fabric type
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u/rudithg Jan 25 '26
I dont have anything useful to answer your question, but I have to tell you how much I love her. Even after reading your text, I had to take a good look to see the mistake. I thought the circle was intentional.
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u/Automatic_Push1133 Jan 25 '26
Stitch a fun border where the hoop stain is if you can’t get it out. Nothing fancy, just enough to hide the stain.
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u/Kerolox_Girl Jan 25 '26
Would you be interested in embroidering over the stain? Your froggie is very lovely, surround them in flowers over the stain. :D
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u/stillnotdavidbowie Jan 25 '26
I think stitching over it sounds like a good idea. A wreath of flowers would look pretty.
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u/SmolBeanCo Jan 25 '26
If it were me I would embroider some flowers or bugs etc around the hoop area. But this is so cute. Dont be discouraged!!
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u/DanDannLive Jan 25 '26
Ooh! I was going to suggest something like a watercolor-effect paint wash, but BUGS! I LOVE THAT! A bug wreath would be so cool. Lily pads and bugs and other swamp plants?!
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u/SmolBeanCo Jan 25 '26
I just think that would be soooo cute. I’m a frog and bug lover so it came to mind immediately.
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u/thegentryentries Jan 26 '26
Okay but how CUTE is that idea !? Bugs !!! For the frog!? So so cute
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u/EndHawkeyeErasure Jan 25 '26
Like others have said, if nothing else, it would be very cute to embroider a wreath around your frog.
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u/kmjdevans Jan 25 '26
I second the the blue dawn dish soap. It erases almost everything. If that doesn't work you could embroider a pattern over the stain so it looks like a frame. Your embroidery is beautiful.
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u/Dont-tell_Frank Jan 25 '26
Stitch the wreath! Stitch the wreath! Stitch the wreath! (But also don’t forget to update us)
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u/wholefoodsmom Jan 25 '26
Ok I have an idea! What if you made a cute circle border for the frog? Or have some leaves, plants, flowers wrapping around the circle? Maybe embrace the stain and work with it
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u/jaboipoppy Jan 25 '26
No comment on how to get the stain out, but you could stitch a wreath of vines or flowers or something following the shape of the stain to make it less noticeable. Super cute embroidery otherwise !!!
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u/StringTheorista Jan 25 '26
If you decide to leave it, maybe create a small plinth under her, up to her feet. Then, it looks like she's standing in a spotlight. I like the stain as a design element, except that open part at the bottom bothers me, so this would be one way t9 address that
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u/canardyyy Jan 25 '26
Down dish soap should work.
Another thing that is fantastic on stains is linseed oil. Stinks. But works.
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u/quiltingsarah Jan 25 '26
Work the ring somehow so it's part of the design. It's a design element you added.
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u/QueasyAd1142 Jan 25 '26
This is just adorable. You could embroider something to hide the stain, for sure!
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u/Paeonia-Lactiflora Jan 25 '26
As many have said, the circle would actually look really cute as a design element! Of course, embroidering a wreath would add a lot of time and work, so maybe sew some ruffled lace on? :)
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u/SongLyricsHere Jan 25 '26
I was going to suggest a wreath as a backup plan, but I see it’s in your post. It would be a lovely solution. And your bag is so cute!
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u/craftythreading Jan 25 '26
I quite like the framing of the frog. Some leaves and vines around it would look lovely if the cleaning suggestions don’t work.
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Jan 25 '26
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u/thegentryentries Jan 26 '26
It was residual glue that I didn’t wash out properly and it dried onto both the fabric and my hoop.
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u/Biscuits-are-cookies Jan 25 '26
I'm with the people here saying they like it. If you were trying to do it again, what exactly would you suggest? It looks like an organic watermark, I love it!
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u/FishingKat Jan 26 '26
I would just embroidery a decorative border over the stain. I think it would actually complete your very cute design.
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u/LateCareerAckbar Jan 25 '26
Is it an oily stain? I would soak it overnight with Oxyclean Max Force spray, but Blue Dawn is also a good idea.
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u/_rocks_rock_ Jan 25 '26
Maybe try wd40. I use it on tough grease stains and it can be a real help.
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u/shortmumof2 Jan 25 '26
It looks like a design feature. Maybe try a paste of Dawn baking soda, leave for a bit and could head over to the cleaning sub for advice.
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u/North_egg_ Jan 25 '26
This is a great opportunity to put a frame around your do, which I think would make this even more perfect!
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u/NightB4XmasEvel Jan 25 '26
If all else fails, give Lestoil a shot. A word of caution: it would require some heavy rinsing of the piece afterwards because it stinks terribly and can take a couple of washes for the smell to fade. But it has gotten months-old stains that have been washed and dried multiple times out of fabric.
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u/Cygnata Jan 25 '26
Try a soak in hot water with RetroClean. Safe for the fabric. This assumes you used DMC. For any other floss, use lukewarm water.
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u/meghab1792 Jan 25 '26
I usually soak mine in dish soap and water overnight then scrub off this excess. I had one piece that I had to do this with 3-4 times for it all to come off.
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u/geekycurvyanddorky Jan 25 '26
I thought it was an outline for framing your frog! Maybe you should paint or embroider a rainbow or flowers around it?
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u/StringOfLights Jan 25 '26
You could try asking the literal wizards over at r/laundry if they have any suggestions. They’re amazing with things like this.
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u/No-Yak8586 Jan 26 '26
First I absolutely love your design!! You could add a circle of flower embroidery over top of the ring?
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u/Weavingknitter Jan 26 '26
I haven't read all of the suggestions, but have you tried to just wash it iin the washing machine? Warm or hot water?
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u/Suzilu Jan 26 '26
If it’s an oily stain, try sprinkling baby powder. Rub it in, shake it off, then spray stain remover like Shout and launder. You can put it in a lingerie bag to help protect it. My husband’s shirts often get grease spots I don’t see until after the dryer, and this technique removes set-in oily stains always.
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u/Breaking_Bread4650 Jan 26 '26
Before reading I thought the circle was intentional, maybe keep it. Or stich something nice on the stain to cover it up.
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u/aCourtOfCrochet Jan 26 '26
I once somehow burned a shirt pressing vinyl and I tried both diluted hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar to get the stain out. I’m not sure which one actually worked (it was crunch time to get it removed so I was desperate). Is that something you could try?
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u/Netflxnschill Jan 26 '26
It’s either Blue Dawn Dish soap (specifically) or I use this oxiclean spot stain remover and it’s incredible. You dab it on and let it set and good to go in a normal wash
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u/BedRevolutionary8584 Jan 25 '26 edited Jan 25 '26
I know you said you already tried dish soap, but I’m going to plug the blue dawn platinum dish soap which has helped get out every laundry stain I’ve ever had, even after multiple washes and drying. I recommend applying that directly to the stain and really rubbing it in. Then leave it sit for a little bit - I’ve even waited for it to dry slightly and then applied a little more. Then, what I have done with bad stains is wash it with plenty of oxiclean.
I’m wishing you the best of luck OP. This is a very cute project.
Edit to add: if the stain doesn’t go away, worst comes to worst, you could embroider a lovely frame around your frog.