ToucanSam

I have a quilt TOP that my great-grandmother made, probably 50 years or so ago. Needless to say, it needs some laundering. Is there a way I can put this in the washing machine? I was thinking of tying it up in a sheet.....

She stitched it pretty well, I don't see it fraying but would like some input.

amma

You could soak it in the washer, but I am not sure if agitating it would be a good idea. Many here have said they soak them and let it spin out, and then do the same for the rinse cycle.

gollytwo

NO, I would not put it in a machine.
I washed an antique in the bathtub, changing the water many times, til it ran clear. Hand pressed as much water out as I could and then dried on a sheet in the yard, top side down out of the sun

Prism99

If it's a top, not a quilt, I would baste the wrong side to a sheet before hand washing. Might test any suspicious colors first by gently rubbing a damp white cloth across any reds and blacks.

Tops are very fragile and tend to develop horrible fraying thread problems if washed. That's why I recommend basting to a sheet and strongly recommend against machine washing.

craftybear

wish you luck, please take a picture for show and tell, thanks

jljack

Yes, you can soak it in the washing machine tub, gently rolling and squishing with your hands, and then empty the water out and spin the quilt. Don't agitate it, but it can do the spin cycle just fine.

littlehud

I would love to see a pic of it.

macgma2001

i have one we think is about 100 yrs old but has some holes in it and the raw cotten batting is falling out. it needs to be washed badly and i'm afraid to try.i was thinking of basting the hole shut to a sheet (its on a corner) any other ideas? it was found in my Bro in laws shed after storing it many years there.