Thursday, February 28, 2013

Yo Yo Quilt

Aunt Cathy bought me a yo yo quilt at an auction she went to. Looks like it would fit nicely on a full size bed. It is a very old quilt. It really needs to be handled delicately.  Every time I move it, it seems I hear a tear or rip.  There are a few spots I need to fix.

I need some advice on how to clean this without it falling apart. The smell isn't bad, so I know it will be easy to clean up.  I just need advice on what is the best way to do this.  The only thing I can think of is when it finally gets warm out to soak it in the bathtub then hang it outside to dry.

Please leave advice in the comments section. I know there are many experienced quilters out there who can help me with this.

Up close of some of the yo-yos

I tried to get a picture of it on a bed.

I found this interesting. One end of the quilt is angled on each side.  I think it is supposed to be finished that way because each side is the same.  However, what end of the bed does the angled end go on.  Should I put the angles at the top of the bed with the pillows?  Or I wonder if they are supposed to go at the bottom and maybe the angles help the top lay nicely on the corners. 




6 comments:

  1. I would just spray some Febreeze on it and maybe air it outside when the weather warms up.When folded to put away put good smelling dryer sheets in the folds. I would NOT try to clean it further. You got a real treasure.

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  2. I bet that quilt was made to fit on a full size mattress. the rounded(Angled) corners will hang without extra bulk when draped over the end of a "full" size mattress. I think that mattress is only 5 feet wide (or less)...find something that wide and drape it over it and see if it works. if it does you don't have any pointed corners dragging the floor.

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  3. Many times the corner is either worked off into the design like this or has a split to accommodate bedposts at the foot of the bed.

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  4. I have sealed fabric up in a plastic bag with an opened bar of deodorant soap (wrapped in a paper towel), put it away for a month or so and I bet that smell would go away. I agree with Diann above, I would be afraid to try to wash it in any way.

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  5. I agree too about not washing it. The weight of the wet fabric would just pull it all apart when you tried to lift it out of the water. I have heard that safeguard or irish spring soap is good to put with it, like "hared" above was saying. Enjoy your beautiful treasure!

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  6. I would avoid wetting the quilt at all. I have had brand new fabrics "spotted" with Mary Ellen's starch, and I would be very, very leery of using any type of "wet chemical" at all. I completely understand the need to clean it, but I would default to airing the quilt out of direct sunlight and/or gently vacuuming the quilt with the upholstery attachment of a vacuum. Also, rather than hanging the quilt to air it, I'd instead drape it over a chair, etc. Beautiful quilt! Good luck!

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