Embroidery lasts. That's most of the appeal — thread stitched into fabric doesn't crack, peel or wash away the way a print eventually does. But it does ask for slightly different care, and a few minutes of attention keeps a piece looking right for years.
Here's how we'd look after the things we make.
Washing embroidered clothing
For beanies, bodysuits and anything worn:
- Turn it inside out before washing. This is the single most useful habit — it stops the stitching rubbing against the drum and other garments.
- Wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle. Hot water is the enemy of both thread tension and fabric shape.
- Skip the fabric softener. It coats the threads and dulls the colour over time.
- Wash with similar items. Zips and hooks in the same load will catch embroidery.
Drying
Dry flat where you can, especially for knitted items like beanies — hanging them wet pulls the shape out. Avoid the tumble dryer if possible; the heat and tumbling are harder on stitching than the wash itself. If you must tumble dry, use the lowest heat setting and take it out slightly damp.
Ironing (carefully)
Never iron directly over embroidery. The stitches flatten and lose their texture, and synthetic threads can scorch. If a piece needs pressing:
- Turn it inside out and press from the back
- Or place a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the stitching
- Use a medium heat, no steam directly on the threads
Looking after hoop art and banners
Wall pieces need almost nothing, with two exceptions:
Keep them out of direct sunlight. This is the one that catches people out. Sustained direct sun fades thread colours over months — the piece doesn't look damaged, it just quietly loses its depth. A wall that gets indirect light is ideal.
Dust gently. A soft dry brush or a hairdryer on its coolest setting, held at a distance, is enough. Don't wet-clean hoop art; the backing fabric and hoop aren't designed for it.
Storing pieces you're not using
If you're putting a keepsake away — a birth banner, a first blanket — store it flat, out of the loft. Attics swing between damp and hot, which is hard on cotton. A drawer with a little space around it, away from direct light, is better than any special box.
If something goes wrong
Loose thread? Don't pull it. Snip it close to the fabric with small scissors — pulling can unravel a run of stitching that was otherwise fine.
And if a piece arrives with a genuine fault, tell us. We'd rather put it right than have you live with it. Our refund policy covers faulty items, and you can always get in touch directly.
The short version
Inside out, 30°C, dry flat, don't iron the stitching, keep wall pieces out of the sun. That's genuinely most of it.
Every piece we make is stitched in our London studio — browse the collection if you're looking for something that'll last.