My 91-year-old grandmother has been sensing the end of her time here for a few years now and has tried to give away to her family everything of value she owns. This weekend she gave me and my wife a quilt that was handmade by my great, great, great grandmother who was an American Indian. She even spun the thread used to make it. This quilt is at least 150 years old. My wife and I plan to have it cleaned professionally and then somehow mount it on the wall. It does have a couple of stains on it that I would like to be removed if possible. Do you know what type of business I should contact for the cleaning? Any cleaning methods that are better than others? Any ideas on how to properly mount to the wall? Should it be put in a wooden case with a glass covering? What about products I could use for preservation?
2006-07-24 09:51:11 · 8 answers · asked by kevinb49 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
You will NOT be cleaning this quilt - at least, you won't be getting any stains out. The fabrics are too old and fragile for any cleaning other than dust removal, and even that is a delicate business involving a screen and a vacuum.
You should contact a professional textile conservationist. The American Institute for Conservation, 1717 K St. NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20006 can give you a list of professional conservators in your area.
As for displaying the quilt, do NOT hang it on the wall. That will put way too much stress on the quilt. The best display is flat, like on a bed, but I wouldn't want a quilt as old as yours left unprotected on a bed. If you fold it, it should have acid free (archival) tissue paper between the folds and wadded paper IN the folds, to keep it from creasing (which can destroy the fabrics). Do not display it in direct sunlight - light damage is irreversible, as is damage from tobacco smoke. Do not use plastic to contain your quilt - it gives off chemical that will destroy the fibers. Do not seal the quilt inside a container - it can mold. There are ways to display it in the second link, but it is a lot of work.
Sorry this is so negative, but it sounds like your quilt is an incredible piece of history, and it would be a shame to damage it accidentally.
2006-07-24 13:19:59 · answer #1 · answered by swbiblio 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-24 03:36:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT WASH THIS QUILT. I agree with the second answer- contact a museum to see that they would do to clean it. I would not hang it unless it is folded over a thick wooden bar. If you hang it with anything that will rip or tear the fabric it will continue to tear. I have several old quilts but none this old. There are some display cases you can get that are big enough to see the quilt from all angles. They are about the size of a small trunk and have glass sides and glass tops. see if this helps you http://www.amishavenue.com/products/758
This is a truly wonderful gift you are being given. Ask for the history of the quilt and the quilter. It will make a wonderful addition to your home and should be cherished.
2006-07-24 10:15:15 · answer #3 · answered by bootsjeansnpearls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are like I am and don't live near a museum try a leather cleaner or a rug cleaner if you feel that you really have to wash it but if i was you i would do either one of the two things by either framing it as a whole quilt if you have enough room or fold it up in a nice picture shadow box and display it you may even want to make it a little more sentimental by adding either your grandma's or great great great great grandma's picture or a picture of most of them with a little card that says who made it that way when your kids are in the same boat you are they will know who and when it came from with out trying to do research on it good luck hope it turns out great and keep the memory's alive
2006-07-24 12:37:23 · answer #4 · answered by christy b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-03-08 23:28:15 · answer #5 · answered by Halford 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to the laundromat, mix in about 1/2 gallon of bleach and wash on HOT extended cycle. You won't even recognize that old rag!
Mount it on the wall with a staple gun or nails.
2006-07-24 09:58:19 · answer #6 · answered by John T 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why don't you contact a museum. I'm sure someone would be able to help you with all your questions. You may also want an appraisal for insurance .
2006-07-24 09:56:37 · answer #7 · answered by shelly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, PLEEEEEEEASE contact a museum!!!!!
It may be priceless and a wash may kill it!!!!
thanks for asking first!!!
2006-07-24 12:05:54 · answer #8 · answered by susieque 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋