A little bit of Schwalm Whitework

Some of you will remember that I started a Schwalm Whitework piece a long, long, long time ago. I had to put it aside for a while but it certainly wasn't forgotten! This afternoon I decided to get it out and continue to work on the filling patterns. I've finished all the outline stitches and all that's left to do are the fillings. I say "all" but really there is quite a bit of it to do!Before I begin to create the pretty fillings I have to prepare the fabric by cutting away threads inside the shape to create a grid. This always makes me VERY nervous since I don't want to cut the wrong thread! Doing it after a day teaching  isn't the best time since I'm rarely that relaxed (usually exhausted!) nor alert enough to do this kind of delicate work! But today, I felt I could succeed so I started again. Each time I pull this piece out of the drawer and unwrap it from the tissue paper, I am shocked at all the blue on the fabric! I purchase the fabric with the design already traced onto it from Luzine Happel (I'm so lucky to live not far from her and have been to see her twice!). Each time - after my initial shock - I open the book to the very end and reread the instructions for washing the piece when I'm finished stitching it: When the entire piece is finished I'm to "Soak it overnight and cook it the next day - if possible in a big pot and not the washing machine." This will remove all the blue...this will remove all the blue...this will remove all the blue...