| Many people buy a handmade quilt because they look | | | | using it on your bed then it should only be washed |
| more pleasing aesthetically to the eye than do other | | | | annually whilst one that is either an antique or heirloom |
| types of quilts. The thing with these types of quilts are | | | | should be washed every 5 years or so. However if |
| that they actually highlight the skills and the prowess of | | | | yours gets dirty quickly then you may need to clean it |
| the person who has produced it. Certainly such a quilt | | | | more often. But what you should be doing between |
| would not only make a great decoration in the home | | | | each wash is to air it out in the open so it gets |
| but also provide a unique gift that will show someone | | | | freshened. |
| that you care about them. | | | | What you should do before you actually wash the quilt |
| You will soon discover that a handmade quilt is much | | | | for the first time is to check for fabric colorfastness. |
| sturdier than many machine made ones. Plus they also | | | | This will help to ensure the fabric dyes used on the |
| help to keep you much warmer as well. However as a | | | | materials that make up your quilt won't run. Plus if the |
| lot of time is taken in respect of the man hours that | | | | color is not fast then the colors will fade and the quilt |
| are needed to produce such a quilt they will generally | | | | will become discolored. The best way of testing the |
| be much more expensive than a machine made one. | | | | material to see if it is colorfast or not is by rubbing a |
| Certainly if cleaned and cared for properly such a quilt | | | | white piece of cloth that has been dampened with |
| can last a lifetime and beyond. So if you have | | | | water on each color on the quilt. If you discover any of |
| purchased such a quilt recently or have one already in | | | | the colors have bled on to the white cloth then do not |
| your possession then by following the tips provided | | | | wash it. If none of them have bled with cold water |
| below you should be able to extend the life of it for | | | | then try again with warm water and if it bleeds you will |
| some time to come. | | | | know not to wash it warm water but you can in cold. |
| When it comes to washing a handmade quilt it is best | | | | But it really is best if you wash your handmade quilt in |
| that you do not do this too often. Normally if you are | | | | either cold or lukewarm water, and never warm or hot. |