Expert: Kris - 11/8/2010

Question
My mother made a cover for the top of our piano (roughly 5 ft by 14 inches)-
-cross sticked border on aida.  I guess she didn't pre-shrink it, and it got
dirty in our move so when we had it dry cleaned and pressed, it shrank.  I
think the border where the stitching is held its size, but the plain aida in the
middle tightened up, and now the whole piece (aside from being a few inches
smaller all around) will not lie flat, but kind of bubbles and ripples up.  Is
there a way to stretch it back out, or at the very least keep it flat?  

Answer
Beth,

I am not sure if you can stretch it. I would try taking the piece and laying it face down on a towel and then placing another towel over it and iron it. Start at the middle and iron out to the ends slowly. Make sure that the towels are not too thick or it won't work. It may take several tries at this but it should get it to lay flat for you.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Good luck,
Kris