Washing Rag Quilts

[Shirley Ellen]

Hi everyone

I haven't been here for a while but I was going back through the threads and
know you were discussing rag quilts back there a bit but it didn't quite
answer the question I have.

I just made my first rag quilt. It turned out awesome I think.. although it
doesn't look so good in photos. It's all red. I made it for my
brother-in-law who is dying of lung cancer and he's also colour blind so red
is the only colour that looks like anything other than grey.

Anyway... I took it to the laundromat and had them wash/dry wash/dry for the
first time so I wouldn't clog my machines. How hard will this be on a
washer/dryer after the first 2 washings? I want to be able to warn my
sister.. who will not be pleased if I send her something that breaks a major
appliance.

Thanks for any help

Shirley

[Page]

I don't have a lot of experience in washing rag quilts, but it would
probably be best if it's always washed at a laundrymat. Even if it
isn't raveling anymore, it will be pretty heavy once it's full of water
and could be hard on a home washer during the spin cycle. Putting coins
in a machine is a lot more economical than a service call.

[Jan]

After about 2 washings, it's fine to do at home, you may still want to stop
half way thru and empty the lint trap just to be safe, but I have no
problems with ours after the initial laundromat 2-3 times.

Jan

Post by Shirley Ellen
Hi everyone
I haven't been here for a while but I was going back through the
threads and know you were discussing rag quilts back there a bit but
it didn't quite answer the question I have.
I just made my first rag quilt. It turned out awesome I think..
although it doesn't look so good in photos. It's all red. I made it
for my brother-in-law who is dying of lung cancer and he's also colour
blind so red is the only colour that looks like anything other than
grey.
Anyway... I took it to the laundromat and had them wash/dry wash/dry
for the first time so I wouldn't clog my machines. How hard will this
be on a washer/dryer after the first 2 washings? I want to be able to
warn my sister.. who will not be pleased if I send her something that
breaks a major appliance.
Thanks for any help
Shirley

[Shirley Ellen]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking if she has a heavy duty dryer, as I do,
but not a heavy duty washing machine she could hand wash and then dry in the
dryer. I'll put a note in with it so she can decide for herself. I don't
know his prognosis but she may want to use the quilt once he's gone anyway.
One of my next projects is to make her one for herself.

I had read somewhere that it's important to check the lint trap in the dryer
as it's drying to watch for buildup.

You guys are the greatest

Shirley
--
My Quilt Site
http://members.tripod.com/inspiring-thoughts/quilts/index.html

Inspiring Thoughts
http://members.tripod.com/inspiring-thoughts/index.html

Post by Jan
After about 2 washings, it's fine to do at home, you may still want to stop
half way thru and empty the lint trap just to be safe, but I have no
problems with ours after the initial laundromat 2-3 times.
Jan

Post by Shirley Ellen
Hi everyone
I haven't been here for a while but I was going back through the
threads and know you were discussing rag quilts back there a bit but
it didn't quite answer the question I have.
I just made my first rag quilt. It turned out awesome I think..
although it doesn't look so good in photos. It's all red. I made it
for my brother-in-law who is dying of lung cancer and he's also colour
blind so red is the only colour that looks like anything other than
grey.
Anyway... I took it to the laundromat and had them wash/dry wash/dry
for the first time so I wouldn't clog my machines. How hard will this
be on a washer/dryer after the first 2 washings? I want to be able to
warn my sister.. who will not be pleased if I send her something that
breaks a major appliance.
Thanks for any help
Shirley

[Jan]

I just have a normal washer and dryer, my washer is ancient, and they both
handle a twin size rag denim just fine and my queen size denim that is more
of a patch rather than a rag does just fine too. I hope they enjoy. We
love ours

Jan

Post by Shirley Ellen
Thanks for the input. I was thinking if she has a heavy duty dryer, as
I do, but not a heavy duty washing machine she could hand wash and
then dry in the dryer. I'll put a note in with it so she can decide
for herself. I don't know his prognosis but she may want to use the
quilt once he's gone anyway. One of my next projects is to make her
one for herself.
I had read somewhere that it's important to check the lint trap in the
dryer as it's drying to watch for buildup.
You guys are the greatest
Shirley

[Alice M. Bonnell]

A laundromat in our area has a sign up saying that "rag quilts are not
allowed in their machines"!

Post by Shirley Ellen
Hi everyone
I haven't been here for a while but I was going back through the threads and
know you were discussing rag quilts back there a bit but it didn't quite
answer the question I have.
I just made my first rag quilt. It turned out awesome I think.. although it
doesn't look so good in photos. It's all red. I made it for my
brother-in-law who is dying of lung cancer and he's also colour blind so red
is the only colour that looks like anything other than grey.
Anyway... I took it to the laundromat and had them wash/dry wash/dry for the
first time so I wouldn't clog my machines. How hard will this be on a
washer/dryer after the first 2 washings? I want to be able to warn my
sister.. who will not be pleased if I send her something that breaks a major
appliance.
Thanks for any help
Shirley
--
My Quilt Site
http://members.tripod.com/inspiring-thoughts/quilts/index.html
Inspiring Thoughts
http://members.tripod.com/inspiring-thoughts/index.html