I purchased this lovely vintage quilt top today. The blocks are hand pieced and then machine sewn together (at a later time I'm guessing). The quilt is stunning I think! Sadly there are some stains on it that look like they might be water stains.

Does anyone have advice on how to remove the stain without damaging the top? I want to clean it and have it quilted.

Thanks for your help and knowledge!

Try oxyclean. It worked on my Great Grandmother's hand pieced and quilted top.

Oxyclean would be my choice, too, but not until you either quilt it or baste it to a sheet. I would not wash it with the back uncovered.

I love this quilt too. I had 3 that my grandmother pieced in the '40's and 50's. I had quilted them and then washed them. I worked really well. I did a no-no and washed them in my washer on gentle and dried them a med. The colors came alive. I'm so glad I did all that work. Be sure to show us when you are finished:)

Hand or machine wash on gentle? Water temp?

I would hand wash with oxyclean and hang it on a line to air dry.

I wash my 1960s quilts in warm water on gentle after a soak in the washer, but they are quilted and finished. If you don't wanto to finish this one first, then you'll need to baste it to a sheet on every sashing strip and all the edges. It would be a shame to have such beautiful work become a ball of strings.

After the wash cycle is done, I respin the quilt on a normal speed, but I would never agitate it at normal. Then a short tiime in the dryer and, finally, spread out to finish drying.

The top is absolutely gorgeous! I recently read the directions on my powder non-chlorine bleach. It recommends soaking for up to 8 hours. You might try that (after stitching your layers and adding binding)!

I would have it quilted first, then perhaps use Retro Clean (http://www.retroclean.com ).

Thanks everyone for yor advice. I do not want to damage these quilt tops. I just think they are precious (see the other two on the pictures topic).