Ring Quilt Information

Ring Quilt Facts

Important Offers

Questions and Answers

Can I wash a patchwork quilt in my washing machine? This is a double wedding ring quilt, hand sewn and about 30 years old.

momwith2suns replied: "I'VE DONE IT NO PROBLEM."

carebear replied: "My mother is a quilter and she washes her quilts in her washing machine, but it doesn't have and agitator in the center. I would take it to be professionally cleaned. They should know how to do it without damaging it. Do you know what the batting is, because some people use wool as the batting"

mam replied: "I agree with the others, yes you can wash it in the washing machine. Just make sure you put it on the gentle cycle and not a lot of detergent."

MJane21 replied: "I think it might be best to hand wash this quilt."

crrankin22 replied: "Why not take it to a laundramat where they have big machines for you to use? Especially if your washer is just a standard size. If it has a special meaning to you either laundramat or cleaners. Good Luck I love old quilts."

Kay replied: "Yes, you can..but you must use the gentle cycle and keep the water cold. It is as close to hand washing as we can do."

lou b replied: "I wouldn't if I was you, especially with it being so old. It is probably made up of materials which are, or aren't washable....and anyway the colours might run. Get it dry-cleaned, I think."

tracy211968 replied: "I was wash it on the gentle cycle and not to often. Try to cover it instead of using it. I bet its a beautiful quilt they don't make them like that anymore."

marryme_alig replied: "Hmm, on the gentle cycle? With Woolite. Or maybe at the laundromat in a front-loading machine (no agitator)."

Annie replied: "It should be safe to wash the quilt. As long as it's not threads coming undone or fraying. It's best to wash it in a front-loading washing machine (laundromat kind) on gentle."

swbiblio replied: "It really depends on the quilt. Most quilts made today can be washed without any problem, and I expect a 30 year old quilt would be fine. Check for a few things first, though. 1. Does it look like it's been washed before? One way to tell is the texture of the top. An unwashed quilt will be relatively smooth. A washed quilt shrinks a bit and can look slightly puckery between the quilting stitches. This isn't bad - it's just the way it is. 2. Is there any damage? If there are tears or worn spots, you may need to repair them before cleaning. 3. Is it really dirty, or does it just need to be aired out? Try throwing it over the porch railing, or hanging it over the line (dry, of course) for a few hours. 4. Are there any stains that need to be pre-treated? Different kinds of stains may not come out even with pre-treating. 5. Most important - is the fabric colorfast? Test it first by rubbing a damp white cloth over every different fabric. If color transfers, be VERY careful about washing it. If you do decide to wash it, do a combination of hand and machine washing. Fill your machine with warm water and stir in a mild detergent like Dreft or Ivory Soap Flakes. You can also purchase special quilt detergent, but it's expensive and no better than Dreft. Put the quilt in and agitate it by hand, then let it sit for a few minutes. Spin the water out and rinse it in clean water, then spin it out again. Carefully remove the quilt and spread it out over towels on a flat surface. Cover it with a sheet if you have pets or small children, then direct a fan at it until it is dry. If you decide you'd rather not take the chance, be sure to talk to a professional QUILT cleaner. Don't dry clean it - the chemicals they use can damage the quilt even more than washing would."

tia c replied: "YES- I ALSO HAVE HOME MAKE QUILTS. I MAKE THEM MY SELF.--- TO WASH--- THE - WAL MART SALES- --COLOR FAST-- ITS IN A BOX LIKE FABRIC SOFTENER SHEETS .IT WORKS REALLY WELL. AND IF YOU HAVE WASHED ONE AND THE COLOR HAS ALL READY RAN . WASH IN AGAIN . AND THE--- COLOR FAST--- WILL REMOVE .THE COLOR(dye) THAT RAN ."

ang replied: "yes"

I want to frame parts of an old quilt for my children. Anyone know how? I have an old wedding ring quilt. It has been in my family for years and slept under my most of my family, from my grandparents to my children. My kids even used it as a race track and ran their match box cars on it at my grandmother's house. It is getting thread bare and needs to be retired from use. I wanted to take pieces of it and frame them for my children and their families so they can enjoy looking at it and remembering our passed on family members. It carries so many memories for each of us. How can I frame it so it will be protected and where can I find frames to use? Has anyone ever had this done before? I want to frame it myself and add even more to it's memory. I want to put it under glass to keep out the dust.

chuck replied: "Too bad the Amish grandmothers aren't using the internet to tell you what to do, eh? Here's what you do: You will have to find an art supply, framing shop or a hobby shop in your area that sells supplies for framing. You can buy the supplies and do it yourself, or you can have a professional do it for you. (Expect to pay $200 to $300 to have it done for you; or half this to do it yourself). The basics for framing a quilt portion are as follows: You will need to use what are called "archival framing materials." These usually include acid-free mat board and UV- (ultraviolet light, which causes fading) -filtering frame glass. Also, you will need a shadow box or a deep frame, deep enough so that the quilt piece doesn't touch the glass. In sum, you want to frame your quilt section in a shadow box or deep frame, using archival framing materials. If you have been laundering your quilt throughout its history, you should launder it one last time before preparing the sections for framing. The best idea is to wash it in a front-loading machine, in lukewarm water, with plain, unscented soap or detergent (Woolite for instance), no fabric softener. Never dry-clean your quilts. You will have to decide how much you will destroy your quilt in order to get a portion in a frame. You may need to re-hem the portion that you remove from the quilt, or you can use a framing border around the quilt section to hide the edges. When your quilt sections are framed, they should be hung in a place without any bright or direct sunlight, as they will fade quickly if they are in bright light. Also keep the framed pieces from humidity to avoid mildew. Find a frame shop to get more specific information for your quilt."

angel B replied: "Depending on where you live (I'm in Miami) But I used to work for Michael's arts & crafts stores I think they have a website too, I was a framer there last yr. & we did that all the time they do excellent work most times but depending on frame could get pricey but the assist w/all of the pricing ect. Or you could find another similar store that specializes in arts & crafts, any frame shop most will do it. Good luck"