Pennyhal

I don't know if I'd use Fabreze on these. I'm worried that we really don't know if or how this product might affect the fabric. I'd just air them out for a while and see if they aren't so musty. If you have the patience and a vacuum that won't eat them, I'd go over each one and vacuum off any dust that might be settled on them. I certainly wouldn't wash them in a washing machine until they are stitched together so that the edges are stabilized.

selm

put them in the dryer on air only for a while with maybe a softener sheet with a mild scent. This will air them out, blow out any dust on them and maybe make them more pleasant to work with. I did this with an old quilt top I had to work on and it worked well.

Sandra in Minnesota

I would set them outside (in a screened porch or garage) and let them air-out for a week or two. Wouldn't wash or dry clean them. They are beautiful and wonderful!! Please show us when you have them together.

QUILTNMO

wow what a GReat friend!!!!

pocoellie

I don't have any advice for you, but that will be an amazing quilt when done.

Sandygirl

Check out Sew Fresh by Bear Thread Designs. All natural, no chemical spray for removing musty smells from fabric. Not sure that i would use Febreeze though. Read the label on the Febreeze.

beautiful molas!!
sandy

Kooklabell

Molas are usually made of cotton. So my suggestion would be to gently hand wash each block. I would put one color catcher in with the block. Cold water. Then I'd dry it by rolling in a towel and lay flat to dry. I'd probably go for a black border around each block and randomly place them into a quilt. I might try to keep a few out to place into a frame too. They are so very beautiful. What a wonderful memory treasure from your friend.

JoyceHoopes

The thing is, if these are traditional Panamanian/Guatemalan(?sp)molas the fabrics have probably been made using natural plant dyes. If they were mine, I'd check online for someone (probably at a museum or a place like Winterthur), who can tell you what you have and what to do with them. Of all the suggestions I've seen above, I think the only one I "might" try is using the clothes dryer on air for a few minutes but I'm not even sure about that. Talk with someone; given their age you won't really know what you have until you do. It's a beautiful collection and almost overwhelming in it's size. Joyce in DE

faykilgore

Those are just fabulous! I have no clue how to put them together but whatever you do will be wonderful!

Grace creates

Really a wonderful treasure. Spray lightly with white vinigar, not directly but spray the vinigar in the air around them and fresh air.