Very OLD quilts
06-11-2015, 09:15 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
Very OLD quilts
My husband recently found 6 very old quilts (made by an unknown family member many years ago) in a house that has been empty since 1994. These quilts are in amazing good conditions considering the state of the rest of the house. Some just need minor repairs and others have some large places the mice found them.
Here are my questions:
1) Can I wash them? (They are terribly dirty)
2) If I repair them what good are they?
Here are my questions:
1) Can I wash them? (They are terribly dirty)
2) If I repair them what good are they?
06-11-2015, 09:26 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,451
What are the fabrics used? If it is cotton yes I would wash them on gentle and use a quilt soap available at a quilt shop. I would also use a couple of color catchers. It would be taking a risk as the batting material us unknown. However, would you use them as they are? Even to recycle into bags? And how to use them...............a wall hanging, pillows, bags............depending on the pattern.............calla
06-11-2015, 09:30 AM
#3
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
A certified quilt appraiser would be the best source for info on your questions, especially the second one. Of course you could repair them to be functional again (used as quilts) but no telling what effect that would have on their value as antiques.
06-11-2015, 09:33 AM
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
Wish you had posted photos of the quilts. Yes they can be washed. There was a post about washing antique quilts on this site in the bath tub. Be very careful of using only a gentle detergent such as one that is made for antique linens.
06-11-2015, 11:41 AM
#6
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...t%20appraisers
06-11-2015, 02:40 PM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 3,254
Start looking up quilt shows in your area. Some of the larger ones have quilt appraisers who will look at them, for a fee. Maybe Grand Island, Hastings or Omaha which is not central, I know. Maybe contact the Nebraska State Quilt Guild, might not be the exact name. Also, University of Nebraska at Lincoln has that wonderful Quilt Museum. There is a lot of information there, if you ever have a chance to go, plus beautiful displays of quilts. It is a great place to visit whether you need information or just want to see some wonderful quilts. Good luck with your quilts. Hope you find some helpful information.
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