Originally Posted by quilterpurpledog

You would be taking an unwarranted risk if you washed this quilt in any way prior to its completion. It might not be pleasant to take it apart first. I would think that some of the odor would disappear if you aired it out by spreading it on a plastic drop cloth outside on a warm day. Be sure to cover it with a cloth sheet to protect it from fading from the sun. Only by taking it apart will you know about its inner construction. When you replace the batting and maybe even a different backing the quilt will be stable and will stand up to laundering. There are several products made to remove stains from quilts. I know that some people dry their quilts in a dryer but I prefer to dry them flat. Again I use the plastic drop cloth and lay the quilt flat. You have a treasure. Please don't take chances of ruining it. If you have a quilt museum in your area or know of an appraiser (like at a quilt show) seek out expert opinion.