Tuesday, June 14, 2011

How To Wash A Quilt by Marianne Fons

Many people consider me a quilt expert.

Some think I can correctly identify every one of the thousands of quilt block patterns in the American quilt lexicon. Others think I never ever make quilt design or sewing mistakes.
 Recently I was asked how to machine wash a (new) quilt. Fortunately, I do have an answer for that.

  1. Wash your quilt in a front-loading machine—the type generally available at a laundromat. (A household washing machine usually has an agitator post which can be rough on a quilt.)
  2. Use a mild detergent like Dreft. Even better, use "quilt soap," available at quilt specialty shops, or Orvus WA Paste, which is a gentle soap sold at farm supply stores for washing livestock.
  3. Take your quilt, your detergent, your coins, and a large, thick towel to the laundromat.
  4. Choose a washer. Select warm water and, if possible, a gentle cycle. Load your quilt and your detergent. Insert coins and start the machine.
  5. Fold the towel into a narrow rectangle. Place it on the floor in front of the washing machine. 
  6. Kneel on the towel, then fold your hands and pray throughout the wash and spin cycles that none of the fabrics bleed. 
Thank you again Marianne for being a part of The Fiber Nation!

Don't forget to check out the Fons and Porter site!

    4 comments:

    1. lol. Hopefully if the fabrics have been prewashed, they won't bleed!

      HEY I just got a new washer & dryer. It's top loading, but there is no agitator post! It cycles the water, and the water shoots at the laundry to turn it. AWESOME! First thing I did was wash all my quilts!!

      ~Monika

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    2. I wasn't expecting the punchline! Very cool-shows that Marianne is just as human as the rest of us.

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    3. lol... Loved the punchline... was wondering what the towel was for! So funny

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