capucine

What's the best way to wash a applique bed spread, and would you iron it after wash? I was thinking of washing it in the machine on a drip dry cycle :roll:

quilter1430

I figure that if you pre-wash your fabrics, they don't suddenly become fragile just because they were made into a quilt. In fact, I always wash my quilts after they are done ... I like the look it gives. I wouldn't think you'd need to press the applique after you wash it. The "scrunched" look is appealing. I am careful not to put them in a really hot dryer and make sure you keep your quilts out of the sunshine ... they will fade.

Prism99

If you have a top loader, do not use the agitation cycle. Instead, stop the machine and hand agitate by pushing down on the quilt. Move the control to spin, fill with rinse water, again stop the machine to hand agitate, advance to spin.

If you have a front loader, it can be a good idea to go to a laundromat and use their largest front loader for the first wash. Although a front loader is easier on a quilt (no agitator in the middle), household front loaders use very little water and this can be a problem if one of your fabrics bleeds. A bleed in lots of water means the dye will be very diluted and less likely to stain other fabrics.

Always take a quilt out as soon as the cycle is finished, so wet fabrics are not lying on wet fabrics. This can facilitate movement of dye.

I would not iron any quilt!

katesnanna

make sure you keep your quilts out of the sunshine ... they will fade.[/quote]

I just hang mine with the backing showing.

capucine

Thank you ladies for taking the time to reply and your suggestions i will attempt at washing tomorrow:) have a good day.

CruisingStef

I would take a quilt like that to the laundermat; using COLD water if you can. That scrunched-up look is what gives the quilt personality, while giving classiness at the same time.

If drying a quilt, use low to no heat, but if putting it outside remember to never let the sunshine hit it, it will fade it out.