Quilt Preservation

Stacy, To know what is the top and what is the bottom. Don't forget to put a lable on your quilt. Traditionally the label does on the lower right as you view the quilt from the front. This way you will always know which is the top. Also a lable records some history,  who made the quilt and who it was made for. If you submit your quilt for judging you will get marked down for no label. Mary Lou

All of my quilts have labels with care instructions sewn directly to the back of the quilt. I print four of these labels at a time onto an inkjet printer sheet and keep them on hand for when a quilt is finished. This is especially important when a quilt is being given as a gift or sold. A simple little label can help prevent confusion when it comes to quilt care and cleaning, hopefully saving quilts from being damaged by well intentioned but misguided attempts at cleaning.

Documenting or keeping records of quilts you've made might seem unnecessary,  but it’s a worthwhile task that will make it easier for future generations to learn about what you’ve spent many hours creating.   A good option is to record the information as you finish and label a quilt, that way you won’t be forced to rely on fading memories in time to come.    Besides these reasons, it’s a good idea to have proof of what quilts look like in case they go missing or are stolen.   

I use a blank journal for recording information on the quilts I make and here are some of the things I include.

Size :  Size of finished quilt along with size of blocks and borders.

Pattern : Source of pattern eg: magazine or book or if I’ve designed it in EQ myself then I record block patterns and keep a printout of the EQ design.    Sometimes I’ll do a colour copy of the pattern to keep in the Journal.

Techniques used  :  Applique,  pieced,  paper pieced.   I sometimes copy block piecing instructions to add as well. 

Quilting :  Name of specific pattern used if a Long-Arm Quilter has done the work.

Fabric :  Name of fabric designer,  manufacturer and collection.

Who the quilt was made for and if it was made for a Special Occasion.

Photographs :  This is especially good if the quilt has been a gift.    I take a photograph of the full quilt, close-ups of various blocks to show quilting and one of the label.   

Dates :  Start and finish dates.

And any additional thoughts I might have had during the creative process.

Go ahead, give it a try, have some fun with it.    Personalise your pages by using scrapbook papers, add swatches of fabrics used and photographs of the quilting process and when you’re done you’ll have a record of what you’ve done and it’ll also provide you with good memories.  

Make your label part of the quilt by adhering it to the quilt back with a spray or transfer before you begin quilting.  Then, quilt right over top of the label with your design pattern so the label is a part of the quilt itself.  This is particularly important if you have a sentimental or valuable quilt in that the quilt could never be sold if stollen.  This tip was passed on at a guild meeting by a woman who had 6 very valuable and sentimental quilts stollen from her home.  The thief knew exactly what they were after as no other items were taken during the robbery. 

If you decide to wash your quilt by machine do not let it run the whole cycle. Instead fill the tub with lukewarm water and gentle detergent. Do Not Agitate. Agitation breaks down fiber, especially in the batting. Let quilt soak a few minutes and use a (new) bathroom toilet plunger to gently move water through quilt, or your hands. Drain water and let quilt go thru spin, rinse as above at least two times, and spin rinse water out. Lay flat to dry, and fluff in dryer for 10 minutes on air setting.

If your quilt becomes dirty or stained, think carefully about rushing it off to the cleaners or throw it in your washing machine. Generally speaking, quilts made in the nineteenth century should only be dry cleaned by professionals. Before you wash a quilt, you should check to see if their dyes run when introduced to water. Wet a cotton swab with a small amount of salvia and run it over the fabric. If you detect any color, dry clean the quilt. Otherwise, use a mild detergent and wash the quilt on a gentle or low agitation cycle.

Quilts should be aired at least once a year in order to freshen them naturally. Do not rush out and hang your quilt on the clothesline in the hot sunshine. The light and the hanging weight can both damage your quilt irreversibly. Find a flat, clean place to lay your quilt that is in the shade. Before you throw your quilt on any flat surface that will work, lay down a clean white cotton sheet. This will serve as a buffer so you quilt does not touch the actual surface.

A quilt on display rarely gets dirty. The exception, however, is the layer of dust on the outermost layer of fabric. This dust could potentially damage or stain your quilt if it is not appropriately removed. Do not shake or beat your quilt to remove the dust. This movement could do considerable damage to an antique quilt. Instead, cover the head of a vacuum hose with an old panty hose. The panty hose prevents the quilt from being sucked into the hose, but the perforations allow the dust to be safely removed.