Quilt Care in a Nutshell

A Few Free Tips

by Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications

1. Remember that quilts like the same environment as humans. Do not store quilts in unheated areas, in plastic bags, or in high humidity. Attics, garages, and basements are a no-no.

2. Really think twice about wet-washing a quilt. Irreparable damage can occur, especially to antique quilts.

3. Wear gloves when handling old quilts to protect YOURSELF from possible surface contaminants.

4. In hanging a quilt, old or new, make sure that it is adequately supported. No push pins, please!

5. Do not leave quilts hanging vertically for a long time. Every 3-6 months, let them rest for the same amount of time they have hung vertically.

6. Never fold a quilt or textile the same way every time. Insert padding in the folds. Polyester batting is an inert substance that will not damage the quilt. Acid-free, lignin-free, archival tissue paper can be purchased from Gaylord or other archival supply companies. Fold it, accordion style, to stuff into the folds.

7. Dry cleaning utilizes chemicals that are potentially carcinogenic. Avoid dry cleaning any quilts. The solvent will saturate the batting and remain inside.

8. Hang quilts in interior spaces, not on outside walls of your home, to help prevent mildew from forming on the reverse side, from changes in temperature and humidity.

9. Paint wood surfaces and seal them with two coats of polyacrylic before letting them come in contact with quilts or textiles. Another barrier for preventing wood acid migration is aluminum foil. When storing a quilt in a box, wrap the outside of the folded quilt in de-sized muslin, available at the source indicated in my book, Straight Talk About Quilt Care, now online at: http://www.quiltersmuse.com

10. Replace acid-free tissue as soon as it yellows, or as soon as a ph indicator pen shows that the paper has regained an unacceptable level of acidity.

Above all, enjoy your quilt!

More tips are available in the book, Straight Talk About Quilt Care, formerly a hard cover book published by Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH. This page may be reprinted for distribution to quilt guilds, museum meetings, and in guild newsletters, FREE OF CHARGE.

Comments? Questions? Write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com