Another Heirloom Quilt saved

My quilt is really special. My grandmother handpainted the state bird and state flower for each state on white bed sheets cut into squares. The squares were painted before Alaska and Hawaii were states. The quilt was never pieced together. In 2006 my mother in-law pieced the quilt together with beautiful replica fabric to match the era when the squares were painted. We used a green floral and a maroon accent fabric. Before the quilt was pieced together the fabric was washed. Once the quilt was pieced together I sent it to a Mennonite friend who finished the quilting. I am extremely picky about my quilts, and don't allow anyone to sit on the bed to keep them clean, but nevertheless my quilt was starting to look dingy so I decided to wash this quilt. I talked to my mother in-law fearful it may run and we decided it wouldn't be worth the risk. The more I looked at it though I just decided it needed washing. I put the quilt on a handwash delicate cycle, in cold water and had used shout on the reverse side of the quilt. I threw in 3 or 4 color catchers as well. When I opened the lid to my washer my heart sank. The water was a deep red. The color catcher sheets were completely red. I decided I would just add several more color catcher sheets and keep adding them until the sheets did not turn red or pink.and hope for the best. When the quilt was finished going through the double rinse cycle I opened the lid and I couldn't believe it. My quilt was perfect. Not one drop of red was on any of the white squares or the entire back. The quilt looks brand new and now I am washing everyone of my quilts in my trunk because I know with the aid of color catchers I have nothing to worry about!! I am a true believer now.

Main Page