If you're into quilting, then you may have a quilt (or several quilts) that you'll be wanting to keep for as long as possible. To keep them in good shape, there are one or two straightforward things you can do.
While this advice works rather well for all quilts, it has been written with patchwork quilts in mind.
Washing
Washing can cause several problems with quilts, especially if its a patchwork quilt. The difficulty is that because these quilts are made of several different material types, each may have its own directions for washing.
This means that different temperatures and styles can cause colours to run, damage to the material or fading.
The one way to wash a quilt that's safe for every material is a cold water hand wash. All that you generally need is a delicate hand scrub with a half scoop of washing up powder (or half cap of liquid) and then carefully scrub and clean by hand.
If you've got any embedded stains, is also ok to soak with an oxidizing agent also. This works on a remarkable number of stains. If you're ever unsure, check the packaging before soaking.
Storage
When the seasons and temperature changes, chances are your quilt will too. If you're putting away your patchwork quilt for a while, there's some straightforward steps you can follow for safe storage.
After you've cleaned your quilt, find a space that is out of bright daylight. Exposure to sunlight over time will fade and draw the color out of any quilt, so make sure its in a dark place.
Second, make sure its off the ground. Find a shelf or place higher up to store the quilt. This will keep it relatively dirt and dust free while its being stored.
Eventually, do not store it near any heating or cooling units. This may lead to damage and pre-mature wear to portions of the quilt exposed to the temperature changes. Be sure to check that no cooling or heating ducts pass close to the storage area too.
If you follow these guidelines, your quilt will last for many years to come!
While this advice works rather well for all quilts, it has been written with patchwork quilts in mind.
Washing
Washing can cause several problems with quilts, especially if its a patchwork quilt. The difficulty is that because these quilts are made of several different material types, each may have its own directions for washing.
This means that different temperatures and styles can cause colours to run, damage to the material or fading.
The one way to wash a quilt that's safe for every material is a cold water hand wash. All that you generally need is a delicate hand scrub with a half scoop of washing up powder (or half cap of liquid) and then carefully scrub and clean by hand.
If you've got any embedded stains, is also ok to soak with an oxidizing agent also. This works on a remarkable number of stains. If you're ever unsure, check the packaging before soaking.
Storage
When the seasons and temperature changes, chances are your quilt will too. If you're putting away your patchwork quilt for a while, there's some straightforward steps you can follow for safe storage.
After you've cleaned your quilt, find a space that is out of bright daylight. Exposure to sunlight over time will fade and draw the color out of any quilt, so make sure its in a dark place.
Second, make sure its off the ground. Find a shelf or place higher up to store the quilt. This will keep it relatively dirt and dust free while its being stored.
Eventually, do not store it near any heating or cooling units. This may lead to damage and pre-mature wear to portions of the quilt exposed to the temperature changes. Be sure to check that no cooling or heating ducts pass close to the storage area too.
If you follow these guidelines, your quilt will last for many years to come!
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To get some more great tips about how to make a patchwork quilt, check out Jane Green's how to make a patchwork quilt internet site now!