Originally Posted by quilter in the making
I always read about the wonderful finds the QB members stumble across at garage sales, so last week I went to one myself and hit pay dirt. Attached are the pictures of the yardage I found and also some hand pieced blocks. I spent $16.30 and got 17+ yards, 108 of these blocks and still have a paper box and Rubbermaid container of various pieces of material, miscellaneous cut pieces, a cigar box of scraps, sheets and about 10 sets of pillow cases and about 2 dozen cookie cutters. There are a couple of crewel work pillow fronts (completed). My problem is it all smells horrible from cigarette smoke. I have washed the yardage and that washed up fine, but what do I do about the handpieced blocks and miscellaneous cut pieces? They smell so bad I don't want them in my sewing room until they smell better. Is there a way to wash them without them falling apart?
Try brass safety pinning them in the corners and then put them in a pillow case wash with white vinegar in the rince cycle, on a gentle setting 8-) you can add Borax too the wash cycle too.