I found this quilt at a flea market recently, only $15. Handmade out of 30's to 50's fabrics, I think...only it is only the top and it has been stored for a long time and it smells rather stale. I need to wash it, but I'm not sure that it won't ravel...any ideas?

serge or overcast the border edge, wash on gentle

WOW, what a find. I'd sew the outter edge all the way around and use woolite and cold water and gently swish it and soak a few minutes and then swish again, then rinse the same way......gentle spin to extract the water. Gosh I envy you.

Thanks. It has all the points and it will be a pain to serge, but I agree with you.

The problem isnt the edges so much as it is the seams. Best to quilt it bbefore any washing. If you cant take the odor, hang it in the.fresh air tuntill it is manageable. Otherwise, if you must wash it, just fold it and pplace it in a sink or tub of water and rinse multiple times until the water runs clear and dry flat. Do not agitate at ask all until it has been quilted. Ask me how I know.

What a wonderful top!!!!!!!!!! Goody for you!! :)

hey i am new at this . but i would rely love one of those iron that the quilter use . you know the one that hop up . look at one the other day and it was to high for me to bye

I love the top, I am so glad you are giving it a good home. If it needs a new home I would be happy to take on the responsibility. :wink: :wink:

Air it out side in the shade to help get rid of the odor. If you just have to wash it, do it in the bath tub. Do a search on this sit to learn how. Do not put it in the washer, you will have a mess on your hands. Your best option is to quilt it then wash it.

I figured that I would have to soak it...I don't think I can quilt it without washing it...It bothers my asthma.

Its beautiful!

Someone told me to lay a quilt out on an old sheet, fold it over and put in a bathtub with mild detergent and soak briefly. Then let the water out and add rinse water, several times. Then roll up to gently squeeze the water out. Spread flat to dry. Hope this helps.

It has also occurred to me that you don't know if the fabric has been washed...and the blue could run. I would check an edge before doing anything. It doesn't appear to have stains, so going ahead and quilting it without washing is also an option.

Thanks, the blue was another worry, but I couldn't leave it there...it needed a good home! I'll use a color catcher when I do wash.

What a find. Maybe a gentle hand washing.

A fantastic find so glad you saved this wonderful top :thumbup:

Or spray it with 'Fabriz. If you wash while there are raw seams, in my opinion you will ruin it as seams will ravel. The ravelings will twist around each other making it impossible to do anything and what if the pieces shrink. Quilt it first. What do they say: "Safety First"

WOW.....What a treasure....!

The quilt in my avatar is an antique quilt that I quilted for a lady. It was in great shape, only a few small stains and I quilted it without washing. She had another that was badly stained that we talked about, and she decided not to have it quilted because of the expense and the fact that the stains might not come out. The best thing I've found to take the stains out of old quilt tops is oxyclean. You really got a nice buy!