Washing vintage quilts
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: oregon
Posts: 1,371
Washing vintage quilts
I need to wash a GMFG quilt made in the 30s. With lots of turkey red fabrics. I have retro clean wash,but how do I keep the fabric from bleeding? I also have a quilt top made in 1900 that I'd like to hand quilt. The cat slept on it...would you wash it before you quilt it? Thanks!
#2
Years ago red was made differently than it is done now. The formula was lost in the war. It should hold the color much better. You could test it in a small area to see if it bleeds. Retain is a market product many use on batiks these days to keep the colors from running.
I would not wash it before I quilted it though. I would take it out and hang it in the wind to air and give it a good shake. Perhaps use a lint brush to remove the remaining hairs. Then it would be good to give it a press from the back to align the blocks that were pressed out of place by the weight of the cat. You also have to wonder if the fabrics will shrink after washing and then it could be a real mess.
I would not wash it before I quilted it though. I would take it out and hang it in the wind to air and give it a good shake. Perhaps use a lint brush to remove the remaining hairs. Then it would be good to give it a press from the back to align the blocks that were pressed out of place by the weight of the cat. You also have to wonder if the fabrics will shrink after washing and then it could be a real mess.
Last edited by RedGarnet222; 02-15-2015 at 09:19 AM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 449
http://museum.msu.edu/glqc/quiltcare.html
they tell you how to care for antique quilts, they don't recommend washing or ironing, but if you must they have instructions. Im sure there are other sites too that have recommendations.
they tell you how to care for antique quilts, they don't recommend washing or ironing, but if you must they have instructions. Im sure there are other sites too that have recommendations.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,783
Do not agitate in the washing machine! Only soak the quilt or quilt top (that means leave the lid open so it won't agitate). The move the dial to spin out the water. Refill with clean water (again, no agitation--lid open), soak and spin out. Repeat the same way for a second clean water rinse. Lay flat to dry ontop of a clean sheet or line dry, out of direct sunlight if possible.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pinkcastle
Main
44
02-05-2013 01:45 PM