Question:
I have several old (and new) quilts made by members of my family. I am afraid to wash them, but sometimes they really need it (I have kids).... should I be handwashing, machine cold/delicate?
Also: I can't imagine EVER selling these - even though I have sold just about everything else on eBay - and forgive my ignorance - but what makes a quilt valuable? Hand stitching? Pattern?
Just point me in the right direction...I want to be a responsible quilt owner!
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This this link.


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Welcome!
I got a chuckle from that link above. First they say to use acid-free storage (paper and boxes) and then further down the page they say you should soak a new quilt in vinegar and water to set the colors.
DON'T DO IT. Don't soak any fabrics in vinegar and water. First of all, it doesn't work (to set the colors) and second of all...why introduce even a weak acid to the fabrics????
The real problem with figuring out how to clean a quilt is that there are so many variables.
For instance, a relatively new machine-quilted quilt with the right kind of batting can be machine washed in a front-loading washer that is large enough for it to move around freely. But there's a lot of disagreement about the types of soap to use (or if you should use any), and of course there could be color fading and shrinkage, etc.
The safest thing is to recommend NO WASHING -- that way you don't get blamed if things go wrong! And I think this is the way most quilt conservation sites tend to lean. And it might actually keep some real heirloom quilts from being destroyed.
But realistically, only YOU can decide how to clean and store and use the quilts in your possession.
When I think about those things for my own quilts, I take a couple things into consideration.
--what was the intent of the person who made the quilt? (to make a 'lovey' quilt that will be worn out or to make a showcase quilt that is displayed only on special occasions?)
--how has the quilt been used up to this time? what condition is it currently in?
--and most important, what's the significance of this quilt to me? Is it so precious I should find someone else to care for it? Does it give me great memories whenever I display it? If so, should we 'use' it? If we are already using it, should we continue to do so? If it is definitely a utility quilt (utility in the sense that it functions as a quilt cover for warmth or cuddling or as a tablecover, etc) then how will I clean it when it's needed, knowing full well that it WILL need it?
Once you're comfortable with the answers to these questions, then you are ready to figure out HOW to clean, store or otherwise care for a particular quilt.
Elaine
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I knew I'd love this site Thank you so much for the advice! I think I'll rethink using some of them. They will mean so much to my kids when they grow up, I'd hate to see them worn out by then.
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My first post in this forum . . .
What goodworks1 said is absolutely wonderful advice!
I haven't made a quilt for years now but I started becoming a little too much of a purist and being more concerned that the quilt would last rather than be used. I so disagree with that now!
They're made to be used and not socked away in a closet and brought out to be "admired" occasionally with enormous effort put into protecting and prolonging them. Of course, there are true genuine works of art and that's a whole different kettle of fish.
My first full size quilt was a simple churn dash pattern which was machine pieced and hand-quilted (nothing fancy!). It's virtually in shreds now and I wouldn't have it any other way! It had a lot of life and a lot of memories and now it's retired and packed away until it reaches somebody who it won't mean anything to and that's its destiny. It wasn't quality work and truly had the life it was meant to have.
This sounds backwards but I taught my Mom to quilt and not her me. Besides sampler and baby quilts, she only made one big one (a queen size). That quilt along with my rendition of "Some are the Same" (from Great American Quilts 1990), are the only two I want to see carried on. In both cases, fabrics were prewashed so there wasn't and shouldn't be a great fear. They're both used (albiet minimally) and can and have been machine washed.
My feelings are that I can't expect others to hold in awe and cherish each and every single thing I do and my guess is that the ladies that made those quilts that are now yours, would also like to see them used rather than tucked away in some dark closet.
I really believe (though many may disagree!), that unless those quilts are of a significant or artistic quality, have been passed down or have special emotional issues, they're meant to be used and cleaned.
Enjoy them! Let your kids and grandkids enjoy them! Wrap them in the love that they were made with.
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Well, there is one or two I'd say may be of artistic value. (Maybe...) but the others are definitely meant for wrapping your babies in and rocking to sleep.
How does someone determine artistic importance? I mean, I can remember people asking my great-grandmother to make them a quilt, because she was known for having special talent. She always had 2 or 3 going, stretched out over the top of her bed with pulleys to raise them up so she could sleep at night. One of hers seems pretty intricate and detailed. Then my grandmother (her daughter) made one for me for Christmas. She had made one for each of the grandchildren, and everyone wanted mine instead of the one they got! I would NEVER sell them, of course.... I just think they are so beautiful, I want to show them off. You know?
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Originally Posted by eclipse04 Well, there is one or two I'd say may be of artistic value. (Maybe...) but the others are definitely meant for wrapping your babies in and rocking to sleep.
How does someone determine artistic importance? I mean, I can remember people asking my great-grandmother to make them a quilt, because she was known for having special talent. She always had 2 or 3 going, stretched out over the top of her bed with pulleys to raise them up so she could sleep at night. One of hers seems pretty intricate and detailed. Then my grandmother (her daughter) made one for me for Christmas. She had made one for each of the grandchildren, and everyone wanted mine instead of the one they got! I would NEVER sell them, of course.... I just think they are so beautiful, I want to show them off. You know? Gosh! I wish artistic value had an easy answer but just the fact that your great-grandmother's quilts were admired and requested, says a bunch!!! "Intricate" and "detailed" is also a dead giveaway that these are probably quilts of worth and absolutely so as they were made and passed on by your G-Gma!
I didn't read your post closely enough and was thinking what you were talking about was of fairly recent vintage (shame on me and thirty lashes with a wet noodle!!!).
There's so very many variables and I'm so very far from being an expert but there are quilter's guilds throughout the country and I'll bet the one near you has a wealth of information they could give you on them. I've got a feeling that not only do these quilts have emotional/sentimental value, they might have financial value too.
Please disregard any advice I gave earlier and protect your heirloom quilts! (I'm so sorry I was thinking that they were fairly new!!!)
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Well, some of the quilts are relatively new...so you were on track there! Who knows, maybe the "artistic value" I see is just a longing for my grannies...
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I'll take a snapshot of one or two tomorrow, so you can see what I mean by "intricate".....I just can't imagine keeping all of that straight while designing...etc. For all I know she could've remade an already-established design. See, I have much to learn! I do think I will see if there's a quilter's guild near me, that's a good idea. I think it would be cool to write a few things down to pass along with the quilts to my children, in any case. Those old visions in my head of the pulleys and such give me nice warm feelings!
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You're in Tucson? So am I!