how to wash a new quilt

[bjsm1981]

This is my first post. Hope you all can give me some info. I just finished hand sewing the binding to the back of my quilt. It's finished!! I want to wash it before i give it as a present. The lady i'm giving it to lives in the desert so there isn't a "clean" place to lay this quilt to dry "anywhere"! Here's my info: I did not wash the fabric/batting/backing/binding. It's a logcabin done from eleanor's book (love it). (it was professionally quilted but not using a longarm) Its made with colors of mostly aqua's and whites but there is one bold teal strip - i tested it and it's colorfast (used woolite on a qtip).
I was thinking of: washer in cold water, hi water level, woolite. no agitating just plunge it in and let it soak, drain washer, rinse. Then spin. Dryer - 20 minutes on low then i'll lay flat to dry.
My goal of course is not to have anything bleed but mainly i want the quilt to be durable - not a delicate thing she doesn't want to use for fear of washing it. As we all know, the desert isn't a place where things stay clean, just opening the door could have you dusting the house again! So ladies, am i doomed to tragedy? I really would like the quilt to have a used, vintage look. Thanks in advance for all your help.
bj

[Littlebit]

Hi and welcome to the forum ~ I love to finish a quilt and throw it in the washer, because for me, it is not done until all the stiffness from the fabric is gone and you get those wonderful wrinkles. I always wash it in cold water on a short cycle with mild soap, and let it tumble dry. I rarely prewash fabric, unless it is a red. love the vintage look and really want to make sure that I didn't make any boo-boos )

[Quilter7]

Welcome to the forum! You will discover many friends here!

Congratulations on finishing your first quilt. I too would wash it in cold water using a mild detergent. I didn't prewash my first quilt because it was an embroidered top in a kit. It came out just fine.

Carol

[Cathy32078]

bjsm1981 Hello & Welcome to the forum. Happy that you joined us. I alwasy wash quilts after they are completed. I wash in the machine, in cold water. I then put it in the dryer. It comes out softer than before and I love the wrinkled/crinkly look. I want my quilts to be used and used often. Therefore they have to be washable. Hope this helps. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Hugs
Cathy

[busyhands125]

I use the SHOUT COLOR CATCHER in my wash , if red colors I use two sheets, also they go to the dryer. REALLY WORKS . Catches all of the colors that may bleed so far.

Pat/busyhands

[bjsm1981]

Thanks so much for the advice! I had previously gone on the internet and the info there was daunting! Soaking it in the bathtub, pushing water out, lay it outside on sheets for 3 days to dry - Yikes! I'm so glad i received the quilt in a day newsletter which reminded me of the "community". I will reply back when the quilt is dry and maybe a pic if i can figure out how to post it. Thanks again. I'm all excited now to see what it's going to look like - but it's almost midnight and too late/early to start the washer, LOL

[MAWmum]

Welcome to the forum!
I am with everyone else washing machine, short scycle mild detergent. Then into the dryer for a tumble. The color catchers is a great idea!

[fabricgirl]

I never wash my fabrics before I make a quilt but when I give them away as gifts I usually throw in a box of those woolite color catchers
and enclose a note to tell them to wash by it's self in cold water with a color catcher.


fabricgirl