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Quilts - fragile?

I think not. We've had two quilts stapled (yes, really) from shelves to cover the bins and boxes stacked behind them. For 10 years. There's been lots of tropical sunshine, acres of flying batting fuzz, eau d'fried catfish, two killer hurricanes with their accompanying heat with no relief from fans or air conditioning, humidity and guests including stinky wet Yorkies, ... and assorted other assaults. In emptying the sewing room, I've machine washed and dried both quilts. I'm astounded. I really expected to spoon a handful of pitiful shreds from both the washer or the dryer or up from the living room floor where I'd blocked them and Yogi had carefully inspected them to rate their acceptability for naps and warmth. (It's been 20° here today). Both quilts are quite beautiful. Still. I know that toddlers can abuse quilts until they're loved down to the last handful and that's wonderful - but I thought quilts should be treated as if they were extremely fragile. Silly me. I don't guess quilts could withstand this sort of tough love for 200 years but I might not live that long anyway. How sweet it is to discover that quilts aren't the frail ferns I thought they were. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther
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I had those same thoughts many years ago. I had made a trip around the world in 1993. Had to make a trip to my sisters for a funeral. She spied the quilt and begged me for it. I reluctantly give it to her. She told me sometime later that she washed the quilt, WITH BLEACH. I was sick. Never again will I make a quilt and let her have it.

I visited her about 3 years ago and saw the quilt on the back of her sofa. It was dull and faded BUT.... it had not fallen apart at all. She still uses it every day to take her daily nap on the sofa.

I made a football quilt for her son and his dog chewed a big hole in the border. His wife decided the quilt should hang on the wall from now on and STAPLED it to the wall.

The baby quilt I made them is being dragged around the house by their

10 year old daughter. She won't let her brothers touch it or the dog near it. That quilt is 14 years old. Maybe there is a future quilter, ya think.

Kate T. South Mississippi

Reply to
Kate T.

Good point, Polly! Last year, our Relay for Life team raffled off a BEAUTIFUL Double Irish Chain Quilt. Lots of people were intimidated by it. (Non quilters, of course.) They seemed to think it would require dry cleaning or hand washing and such. Sales really picked up after we emphasized that is can be washed and dried in the home laundry room.

For this reason, I now mention home laundry in my note that accompanies the Quilts of Valor my group makes. I tell the new owner to enjoy it often and then how to launder it.

Quilts are way more fun if you USE them! PAT in VA/USA

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

I can also testify to the durability of wool batting. I made a couch throw three years ago, and what with the cat hair, etc., it's been machine washed dozens and dozens and dozens of times. I just hang it on the line then tumble it in the dryer a few minutes to fluff it. It still looks as nice as it did day one.

Sherry

Reply to
Sherry

Great testimonial, Sherry, and great idea, Pat. It never crossed my mind to mention on my own Wounded Warrior quilts that they are *not* fragile and laundering only makes them better. I'll do that. Polly

I can also testify to the durability of wool batting. I made a couch throw three years ago, and what with the cat hair, etc., it's been machine washed dozens and dozens and dozens of times. I just hang it on the line then tumble it in the dryer a few minutes to fluff it. It still looks as nice as it did day one.

Sherry

Reply to
Polly Esther

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