Quilt restoration part 1.

Over the Christmas holliday I aquired a quilt that was affectionaly my grandmother's. This is my father's mother. This quilt has been there and back and is very dirty and torn in many places. Due to the delicate nature of this quilt it is for display only after completion. The fabric is to the point it is far too delicate for use and far too precious for that matter. Today I have seperated the front piece from the backing and batting and removed all the yarn that was subsituting actual quilting. It appears the edging was hand stitched and the piecing was done by machine. The worst of the damage is along where the quilt was previously folded and put into storage. I advise anyone who has a family quilt or stores one or looking to store one to save a plastic protective bag when you buy a comforter so that the quilt is protected from dust and dirt which breaks down the fibers of the fabric.

Step one, seperate front from back.

Step two, repair tears in quilt.

Some of the tears are not on the seams and I will therefore have to replace the fabric in some places. All repairs will be done by hand on this quilt. I plan to quilt and edge using the sewing machine.

Step three, wet wash (by hand) with the help of Clorox2. You can also mix your own soap with hydrogen peroxide and a few other things but I'm a simple girl and just spent the money for a very similar mix. Also be sure to test a section of the fabric before just dunking the whole thing in the tub. Less is more (you can always wash it again). For more sturdy quilts you can spin them out in a modern day washing machine. For mine I will opt to airdry in fear of further damage.

1 quart of buttermilk with less than 1% fat content and 1 tbs of lemon juice also makes for a gentle cleaner in step three for less severe stains. For darker stains such as old pencil marks use water, a tiny amount of rubbing alcohol and a few dollops of dish soap.

Another option just for fun is self-cleaning carpet cleaners. Spray on, vaccum off. No washing machine required. I've never tried this method but have heard many success stories.