Quilt cleaning - Florida

Tony Cooper wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

I'd have to do more search for the blue pattern name but the white/white quilting almost loks like it may be trapunto although it's hard to tell without seeing it really close up. It's gorgeous, truly a beautiful and classic quilt. Age is difficult, someone real knowledgable close by about quilts could possibly give you an idea. They'd need to look at the fabric, etc. If it were mine and I wanted more information on it I'd probably start in the phone book looking for local quilting shops and ask for members of the local quilting guild or someone they could recommend to take a look at it. The pattern eludes me... it almost looks like a variation on a snowflake but that's not quite it either. It's very interesting. Can you take a few close up photos to show the stitching of the blue against the white as well as the white/white areas of the quilting?

for closer photos.

Let me make something clear...The quilt needs cleaning. I'm looking for a source to do that. I don't care about the value of the quilt. It would be nice to know the pattern name and approximate age, but that's not really important to us.

A little history: We've had the quilt hanging as show in

for 27 years; ever since we moved into this house. The quilt was given to us by a relative (in the midwest) who inherited with his mother's estate. The relative found it stored in a trunk and had no idea how long it had been there or where it came from. The relative had no interest in "old things" and knew we collected antiques. (The relative is an Ikea and Crate and Barrel fan) The relative also gave us some dish towels and other linens because they were old and thought anything old must be an antique. (The dish towels were kind of tatty and probably came from Woolworth's.)

We keep it because we like it and because it's a family thing, and for no other reason. We're in our late 60s, and the quilt will eventually go to our daughter because she also likes it. Some time ago we had our son and daughter go through the house and put dibs on what they each wanted so there will be no fussing over who gets what.

Howdy!

Here's some info that says what I first thought of, take it outside and let the first layer of dust drop off, let the quilt air out a bit:

(I'd skip the buttermilk bath; just wouldn't "go there.") As the white fabric has yellowed, I'm supposing the blue used to be much bluer. Age has not detracted from the beauty of your quilt.

The close=up view shows a somewhat coarser cloth than we're used to seeing in the past 50 yrs, so I'd hesitate to get it wet.

BUT

*if* I thought it safe I'd soak the quilt in a tub of cool water w/ BIZ laundry product, gently, very gently squeeze out most of the water, lay it on a sheet out in the yard and let it dry, preferably out of the sunshine. HOWEVER I'd be very reluctant to do that w/ the older appliqué stitches all over that pattern. ;-)

I also vote for getting someone to put a regular hanging sleeve on the back of your quilt. Those tabs are adding to the stress on parts of the quilts; a sleeve distributes the weight evenly, adds to the "integrity" of the fabric/quilt. Your local quilt shop(s) should be able to suggest someone, a local professional, who could help w/ the sleeve.

Pattern? There are so many appliqué patterns that individual quilters have made up for themselves, and there are hundreds more traditional vintage patterns that were popular in Baltimore Album type quilts. Amazon.com shows dozens of appliqué books; I'd look at some of the book covers to find something similar to your quilt, note the authors, then look for websites for those authors; contact several of them to see if they could help identify your quilt's pattern. Most quilters are a friendly bunch and will gladly pass along some of their knowledge. I don't want to blow off your questions, just want to point you to some experts in this field. Your quilt has some beautiful handquilting on it.

Good luck, Tony. Please let us know what you find out about your treasure. And, again, a good, gentle shake is the start of cleaning your quilt. Give it some air.

Ragmop/Sandy--professional handquilter, sizzling in north Texas

same site Sandy quoted has appraisers pages.

last one on the page is in Calif...Julia D. Zgliniec, Pres. of Professional Association of Apraisers- Quilted Textiles she will probably be able to direct you to someone in the Orlando area who can have a look at your quilt and advise you of the age and proper way to clean it. as with others it really needs a proper hanging sleeve. i nearly died when i saw those 5 long tabs it was hanging from, you can see how the stress/weight has already pulled it out of square. i'm sure that is fixable tho. there are two others on that same page in florida, miami and lake city. hope one of those help you find out the info you need.

if you find a label on the back when you get it down, that will surely give you info on date/who made that beautiful quilt. looks like an oak leaf and wee acorns on a branch. the official name...who knows. we're all waiting to see what you find out about it and its real name. cheers and good luck, jeanne

Y'all are making me feel guilty. It's been hanging there for 27 years and never complained to me. No one from PETQ (People for the Ethical Treatment of Quilts) have come knocking at the door. My name is not on the internet as a known quilt abuser.

However, I do assure you all that, once I get it cleaned, it will go back up properly mounted. My daughter-in-law is an expert seamstress who is - as we speak - warming up the Bernina.