Question about quilt pattern #1
 

Hi,
My mom wants to sell her quilts. So, I was wondering what the quilt pattern is on this quilt see 1st pic.
Also, there are some water stains on the backing of the quilt see the last 3 pics. Thank you so much for your advice.
Best Regards,
Rob

This is a lemoyne star. Others will offer tips on cleaning the stains.

Thank you for identifying the pattern.
Rob

go to a quilt shop and get some Restoration--follow the directions and make sure that you lift the quilts out of the washer carefully so no stitchs pop or aged fabric tears--then lay flat to dry--no NOT hang or run through dryer as the batting may be old and clump and the fabric may shred when hung. Nice quilts.

I would use Retro Clean. It is available from Amazon, but here is their website with information about what it is and how to use it: http://retroclean.com/retroclean/

I assume these quilts have been washed in the past? If they have not been washed, the dyes may bleed if the quilt is soaked. If they have not been washed before, I would take them to a laundromat and put a single quilt in one of their large front-loading washers with Synthrapol. Wash in cold water, remove immediately from machine (you do not want damp fabric sitting on damp fabric for very long, as dye can get transferred). Dry on medium or low (not hot!) at the laundromat. If that does not take the stains out, you can soak in Retro Clean.

Whatever you do, do NOT use a washing machine with a central agitator. Those central agitators are very hard on quilts. Also, do not use a domestic front loader. They do not use enough water. A domestic top-loading washing machine is okay if there is no central agitator. If you use a top-loader, the best way to wash a quilt is to fill the tub with water and soap (or Retro Clean), stop the washer, add the quilt, and push down periodically with your hands. In other words, hand agitate the quilt. When washing is finished, drain and spin. Spinning is usually okay for a quilt. Add rinse water, hand agitate, drain and spin out. Use at least 2 rinses to get all of the soap out.

Edit: I looked at your posting history and found out that these quilts were collected from your parents, with some being from the 1980's and some older. You do need to be very careful cleaning these quilts. Are you thinking of selling on eBay? You may not need to wash them at all, as many of the quilts for sale there have stains. You just need to include the stains in the description and photos. This would be less work for you, and people who buy quilts on eBay generally will know how to remove the stains themselves.

Yes, I am thinking of selling on ebay as well as facebook yardsales and craigslist. Thank you for the suggestions. Take care. Rob

Thank you for the directions, instructions and the product name and where to obtain it. Best regards, Rob

I've had great success with RetroClean.
Also- just a thought here- I wouldn't list on Craig's list. You won't get anything for them there.

A few sellers have vintage quilts on Etsy. I have no idea how many they sell.

Thank you for the advice

Thank you for the confirmation and the advice.
Rob

You won't get much for them on Ebay either. It's a buyers' market.

If it were me I would take a chance and wash them myself.

Good luck with whatever you do.

I knew that would be the case after seeing the amount of competition. However, I feel like I have to try multiple places like ebay. I will also try local trade guide too.
Thank you for keeping it real for me.
Regards,
Rob

Thank you for your advice and for the good luck.
Regards,
Rob

In my experience, Ebay is good for things that can be described with a key word that people can search for, Coach purse, Micky Mouse watch.

Quilts and other vintage linens do better in a place where people can see them in person. Are there any flea markets in your area where you can rent a booth for one or two weekends, that would get a lot visitors?

When I was there and when I go by via car I know of one but I never see any customers go there.
I thank you for the advice. I will have to further investigate. Thank you.
Regards,
Rob

Do you have any auctioneers in your area? You may do much better if people can actually see the quilts in person rather than only online. Auctioneers generally charge a selling fee and can help you with what the quilts are selling for in your particular area. Good luck.

I don't know anything about selling vintage or heirloom quilts. Around here we have antique shops and malls, lots of little vendors in one large building. Are they a good selling place?

Unfortunately, I don't think you will get much money at yard sales.

Go to your LQS with pictures of a few of the quilts you want to sell and a note telling who made them and what year about and the prices you want for each. I bet they’ll let you put them up at their store. I also believe you’d have a good chance of selling them there and at a decent price because we quilters know what a quilt cost to buy the fabric and the cost to make it with our hard labor.