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statement now are they, especially when they came from hand washing!

Now that you have your means, your detergent and water temperature in mind, it is time to get down to the real work. Use a little amount of your detergent, going overboard could mean hours of rinsing and way more bubbles than you would find in a bubble bath. About 5mL will be plenty, depending on the size of your tub, the amount of water and the size of your project. 5mL will do for about 4litres of water, the policy being less is more.

The actual motion of washing should be gentle. Once everything is set to go, place your work into the tub and gently swish it around to make sure that it is completely wet. Working from the middle to the edges, gently massage the soap into your work with your fingers. This may take some time, depending on the size of your work. To prevent cramping in your muscles, treat it like a massage and loosen up, the results will seem just that much better.

Washing completed, it is now time to rinse all those suds out. Pull the plug and let the soapy water drain away. Using warm water again, run your creation under the tap and let the water wash away the excess suds. Next step is to very gently bunch and squeeze your work until the water runs clear and there is no soapiness to the touch.

Depending on the size of your work and the amount of detergent you used, this could take a while, but have patience, you are almost done and the results are going to be worth the added effort.

Drying your work is just as important as washing. I like to use bath towels or cloth nappies. They are soft and more absorbent. Lay the towel out flat and place your work, again flat, in the middle. Fold the towel back over your work and gently pat dry for a few seconds. This will help to flatten your work out more again. The next step is to roll the towel, with your work inside, up, squeezing even more of the water out.

Now you need to allow your work to dry naturally. Please, whatever you do, resist the urge to hang it up with the clothes you have just washed. Keeping your work flat while it is drying is very important. It helps to reduce the amount of time you need to spend ironing and prevents bunching and distortion of the overall work. Another absorbent towel and a flat area, not in direct sunlight, will be the best for your work.
Flat area found. Lay the towel out and place your work on top, lain out like the towel.
Over the course of the day, you can gently turn your work over so that it dries more evenly.

Whatever you do, keep your work away from children, pets, and any men in your household. They will do their darndest to ruin your handy work and your sense of accomplishment at seeing your work all grimey again might make you scream! I know, I have been there!

Your work is dry and ready to be ironed. A moderate heat setting is best. To prevent squishing your work flatter than a pancake, it is best to use another towel, again flat over the ironing board/surface. Place your work in the middle and place the towel over it again. With gentle pressure, move the iron over your project slowly so that the heat can get through the towel and all the way through your work. Go over your piece about 5 times and then flip it over and repeat.

Your work is now ready to be framed or used for your other projects. Congratulations and may you keep up with all your good work.

P.S Now you might want to empty the tub, put the detergent away, wash your towels and make sure that the iron is switched off! Safety first and being so absorbed in your work is no excuse for poisoning family members of setting fire to the house!

Learn more about this author, Arna Cook.
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