I took this handquilted Irish chain quilt home from the thrift shop to wash it. The unbleached muslin is really grimy, and some of the red blocks are fraying, but mostly it's in decent shape. The biggest problem with this quilt is the red polycotton bias tape binding obviously sewn on recently. The worst part of the binding is that it is machine sewn with white thread.
I'm tempted just to throw this in the washer on a gentle cycle, since no one will buy it dirty. If it falls apart, it falls apart. It's a strange size, not quite a double, so I'm wondering if someone has already trimmed it and then rebound it.
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3 comments:
I'd be sure to include some dye cloths in the washer with the quilt.
I was taught to wash antique quilts in the bath tub using Orvus or another gentle soap. If you put a length of muslin UNDER the quilt in the tub, you can use it to support the weight of the wet quilt when you are ready to take it out and dry it by lying it flat.
Given its size it could have been made for for what we refer to as a 3/4 bed - 54" wide, I believe. I love two colour quilts and this one is no exception, grime and all.
Me? I would use cold water and gentle laundry detergent on the delicate cycle (with white vinegar added to the wash water and maybe a color catcher or two for good measure).
If it doesn't come clean after the first "bath" - then I'd go for a second and maybe third BEFORE I toss it in the dryer to get most of the wetness out.
Depending on how it handles, you could spread it flat to dry the rest of the way or let the dryer finish the task.
I know - some will disagree. But we can each have an opinion, right?
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