scrapinmema

This is a beautiful quilt. Would rip it out and start over then laundry.

Jingle

I would rip it out and re do it.

Prism99

It is extremely risky to wash a quilt top that is not quilted. Fabrics can shrink at different rates and pieced edges can fray. It can result in a real mess.

Since this quilt is already partially quilted and the edges are covering the batting and sewn down, I would wash it before taking it apart. Before washing, however, I would run large basting stitches (by either hand or machine -- do not need to be neat!) in any open areas that are without quilting. This will help stabilize the top so fabrics can't shrink apart from the batting. Once quilted, the three layers become one and batting takes control of shrinkage. This means that no fabric is allowed to shrink more than the batting.

With a quilt that large, I would take it to the laundromat and use their largest front loader with Synthrapol (widely available on Amazon and in quilt stores that cater to dyers). I probably wouldn't use hot water, but rather cold. Even with cold, the Synthrapol should prevent any dye bleeds from settling into the fabric. I would partially dry in the laundromat dryer, then bring the quilt home and lay out on carpeting (or outside in the shade to protect from sunlight, on a flat sheet with another flat sheet on top to protect from birds flying overhead) to finish drying. Inside, aiming some fans on the quilt will speed the drying.

Only after all of that would I take the quilting stitches out and separate the layers.

Edit: One more thing. I would add about 1/4 cup of this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TSO20W/
with the Synthrapol. This stuff is amazing in terms of soaking up "off" odors in laundry.

lclang

Do NOT wash...carefully rip out the quilting stitches. You could spot clean or simply vacuum (on low vacuum with a nylon stocking over the end of the tube). Do not hand wash or machine wash until it is requilted. If the batting is cotton I would recommend replacing it with something less apt to shred/lump than the old fashioned cotton batting. Looks like a beautiful quilt so remake it the best you possibly can so you can enjoy it for many years.

quilterpurpledog

You would be taking an unwarranted risk if you washed this quilt in any way prior to its completion. It might not be pleasant to take it apart first. I would think that some of the odor would disappear if you aired it out by spreading it on a plastic drop cloth outside on a warm day. Be sure to cover it with a cloth sheet to protect it from fading from the sun. Only by taking it apart will you know about its inner construction. When you replace the batting and maybe even a different backing the quilt will be stable and will stand up to laundering. There are several products made to remove stains from quilts. I know that some people dry their quilts in a dryer but I prefer to dry them flat. Again I use the plastic drop cloth and lay the quilt flat. You have a treasure. Please don't take chances of ruining it. If you have a quilt museum in your area or know of an appraiser (like at a quilt show) seek out expert opinion.

helenquilt

PLEASE DON'T WASH IT. No matter how careful it will ravel and you will have problems. After quilting then give it a good washing.

quiltmom04

Oh my! I remember those fabrics - I think I had most of them. Reminds me of my mom! Thanks for your picture!

maviskw

I think this is what I would do. You surely want to wash it as soon as possible, and if it is basted at least a little, it should survive a delicte wash in a large front loader.

Quiltngolfer

I would spray it with Febreeze and hang outside for a while, then rip out, requilt, bind, then wash it. Febreeze helps a lot with smells.

hudgoddess

What a neat project. How bad does it smell and how much does it bother you?
My nose is sensitive, so I'd have to wash it first. Do you have grass you can lay it on to dry it?
I ripped apart a friends vintage baby quilt once. Reworked the squares, added sashing, borders, new batting and back and quilted it. I was scared to death to rip into it, but it turned out great and my friend loved it!
Jump on in there!