tropit

Well...how bad are they? If they are just a bit dirty, or have some pet hair on them? Then, hand baste around the quilt sandwich and let it soak overnight with some cool water and mild laundry detergent, rinse thoroughly and lay flat to dry. After the quilt is quilted, bind and wash again. You may try some of the kind suggestions above concerning mold. That's another issue. I would not send anything with mold on it to the long-armer.

Good luck!

~ Cindy

Jo Anne B.

Anything containing mold is a health hazard-bag it and to the garbage it should go. As someone who seems to be sensitive to mold-the congestion, the head ache/migraine, coughing. I am miserable!!
Seems there are those who don't understand the true meaning of donation.
I recently learned the hard way, bought some fabric from a heavy smoker, didn't fully realize how bad until I had the fabric in my house for 20 minutes. I soaked in Oxyclean, Simple Green, Odo-ban, washed and hung outside to dry. Set off the head ache/migraine. It was horrible. Never again.

RedGarnet222

Borax is a wonderful thing. It really does take care of the smell and stain. Bless your heart for trying to save these old treasures.

matraina

Why would you want to give a quilt that is smoky, dirty,moldy to someone who needs a quilt? If it bothers you, it will certainly bother them. I wouldn't put any further work into it. Save your hard work for a quilt you would be proud to gift.

newbee3

the fabric is supposed to be clean when they donate it.

Deb watkins

Absolutely agree with this. If you don't want it because it is dirty, or moldy, why does one think that someone else would like it?

tkhooper

Thank you so much for the ideas of how to save these quilts. Of course they are washed after they are quilted and nothing is donated to a charity that isn't well made and clean.

I just wanted a new long arm quilter to be able to use her machine and new skills the way she wanted to do. If that means basting a quilt soaking it in the tub and drying it flat. I have the time and am willing. Much of this fabric is donated by family members after a quilter has passed. They don't know that it spent 20 years in the basement being saved for the perfect quilt. i know I have saved fabric until it was little more than strings so I'm not surprised. And I have the dead nose of a prior smoker and can't smell the problem. But i can see water that is dirty.

Thank you for the suggestions you have given me. I'll be looking for the borax. i haven't seen that in an age.

Karen G

Washing the fabric before sewing would be the best in the future.

tkhooper

I think your right.

2manyhobbies

My mind just spins with this. I can't imagine donating something that is dirty, let alone smoky or moldy. But I know people do, especially if they are cleaning out a relative's home. A friend collects children's coats for the poor. You should see how those come in! She washes them a number of times sometimes to get them presentable. I would do what the others have said. Clean what looks like it can resurrected and get rid of anything that would present a danger to the recipient, as in smoke and mold. Sigh.