Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)
-   -   mistakes I've made (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/mistakes-ive-made-t205401.html)

OKLAHOMA PEACH 11-09-2012 07:25 AM

But i need to wash mine, I smoked while making one of my tops, no longer smoke in house, but top has been stored while making another, and it stinks, I need to wash it before even finishing it, would hand washing be alright, no line or deck railing to lay out on but could lay it out on laundry machines and far as pressing, thats what I get for smoking it up.

KalamaQuilts 11-09-2012 07:53 AM

I wouldn't, for all the reasons above.
with out a line or deck rail to hang it on for a few days, you could try putting it a dryer, fluff only, no heat, along with a clean wet towel. It will probably take several times with a clean damp towel but it will eventually take the smell out.

Or you could fold loosely and sprinkle a full box of baking soda all through it then bag or box tightly. shake the box ever so often. It will probably make it so you can work on it, then a proper wash when you've gotten it quilted. Good luck!

Peckish 11-09-2012 07:58 AM

A response to the Aussie who wondered if nobody line dries anymore:

I try to, when I can. I love the way the laundry smells when it's been line-dried. However, I've lived in places where it wasn't allowed, mostly because of HOA (homeowner's association) rules. I HATE HOA rules. Years ago we lived in a place where we weren't even allowed to hang Christmas lights. After that I told my husband I NEVER wanted to live anywhere where I was told what I could and could not do with my property.

KathyJ 11-09-2012 08:09 AM

I made a log cabin quilt for donation to our local VA. It was completely finished & ready for delivery but I had not photographed it yet. Yep, on photo op, one corner block was totally the wrong way. Why did I or the longarmer not see this? Who knows but I donated it anyway. Hopefully, the Veteran who received it will not hold my mistakes against me. All we can do is laugh, learn & move on.

jcrow 11-09-2012 08:25 AM

To get smoke out of a quilt, if you lay it outside for 3 days, the smoke smell will disappear. I suppose the same will happen if you put it in a garage or open it up and put it in a non smoking room in your house that has one of those sprayers that goes off every so many minutes.

Tothill 11-09-2012 09:52 AM


Originally Posted by katesnanna (Post 5645091)
Does nobody in America line dry fabric. I always wash first but if I had a situation like this I would gentle wash in the laundry tub then hang on the line. I know a lot of you ladies get snow and other bad weather but surely everyone has some fine weather.
I know I'm lucky where I live because we get lots of sunshine (Queensland is known as the Sunshine State) but I haven't owned a dryer in almost 20 years. The only fabric that gets washed in the washing machine is muslin in multiple meters. Every thing else is hand washed, squeezed gently then line dried. After it's dry it is folded or put on boards. I don't iron until I'm ready to use fabric.

Well I am in Canada and cannot speak to what people in the USA do. One of the features that had us buying the house we have lived in for the past 15 years was the clothes line. I can use it about 7 months of the year. It is too damp from about now through March, there is no way towels could dry.. But on a sunny winter day I will at least hang my pillow cases even if I have to iron them dry.

But three neighbours have removed their clothes lines.

There was a court challenge in Ontario a few years ago against HOAs that banned clothes lines. Those that wanted clothes lines won for environmental reasons.

I do use the washing machine for all my laundry.

quiltmau 11-09-2012 10:27 AM


Originally Posted by Peckish (Post 5645425)
A response to the Aussie who wondered if nobody line dries anymore:

I try to, when I can. I love the way the laundry smells when it's been line-dried. However, I've lived in places where it wasn't allowed, mostly because of HOA (homeowner's association) rules. I HATE HOA rules. Years ago we lived in a place where we weren't even allowed to hang Christmas lights. After that I told my husband I NEVER wanted to live anywhere where I was told what I could and could not do with my property.

Peckish-I am now in that situation. I hate being told what to do-especially at my age. Duh!!-I AM NOT A CHILD - at 67 I feel that I am adult enough-most of the time anyway-to make fairly reasonable decisions.

As for the line dry or as Aussies say the Hills Hoist-I really, really miss it. My sheets are not as crisp and don't smell as good. The only time I used the dryer was during the fires in Victoria. Too smokey.

Our HOA does not allow line outside and we have one of those 'buy the rules' types here. He even hates the that the deer dare to trespass and eat his bushes. LOL

karate lady 11-09-2012 10:50 AM

There are no fences between three of our homes here in this little town (pop 450) and there is a big field to my West and is the back property of one of the neighbors. She has a clothes line there and since she no longer uses it, (for physical reasons) she lets me use it. When weather is nice I use it a lot, but right now the northwest is a bit wet .../The boys complain the towels are stiff, but I don't care. LOL

sueinstitches 11-09-2012 12:24 PM

Haven't made that one ! But made a good one. I made a baby top than decided to put FLANNEL on the back didn't pre-wash, sandwiched and quilted than I washed IT! Well the flennel shrank 5% like it always dose the first washing the top diden't What a sight !:(

damaquilts 11-09-2012 03:32 PM


Originally Posted by Peckish (Post 5645425)
A response to the Aussie who wondered if nobody line dries anymore:

I try to, when I can. I love the way the laundry smells when it's been line-dried. However, I've lived in places where it wasn't allowed, mostly because of HOA (homeowner's association) rules. I HATE HOA rules. Years ago we lived in a place where we weren't even allowed to hang Christmas lights. After that I told my husband I NEVER wanted to live anywhere where I was told what I could and could not do with my property.

This is what I was thinking too. I love fresh smelling sheets. I haven't seen one anywhere around where I live either. What is really funny is I said when I was a kid I would NEVER hang another piece of clothing on the line. I had to for 5 kids and sheets for my grandparents rental cabins. All year long winter and summer. Now I wish there were somewhere I could at least hang my sheets. Don't think I would want to go back to the wringer washer and line though on a regular basis. LOL


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:33 AM.