Hi Friends!

I thought I would create this lil' blog post on how I wash the quilt clothing.

I want to first start this with saying THANK YOU so much for your support<3 When I started out this journey over 2 years ago, I never dreamed that these creations would resonate with y'all so much. I LITERALLY cry every week out of gratitude for you. I hope you know how forever grateful I am for you, and know that this would not have been possible if it weren't for y'all.

OK tears wiped, let get down to businessssssssss...

So you got your quilt pants or skirt and you're living your best life, gagging people on IG and around town with how FABULOUS you look, but you spill some coffee or she just needs a lil' wash up touch me up, here is how I like to care for them <3

Step 1

Your quilt clothing will come to you with a heavy wash that I also infuse with crystals to get the dirt and any bad vibes out.  This takes 4-8 hours, so since I've gotten the decades of quilt use out, these will not take anywhere that amount of time for you.

Make yourself a cold to lukewarm tubby. For antique quilt, the colder the better. I obviously have this cast iron tub in the pictures that I use on warm days, but most are done in totes or my studio tub. Set your pants or skirt in the water and make sure you have enough submerged to cover the whole thing. Squish around until all the fiber are soaked. Let sit for 15-30 minutes, depending of need of wash and give her a squish or 2 in that time.

Step 2

NATURAL SOAP HUNNY! My personal favorite is Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, as I feel it rehydrates fibers and makes them softer without the need for fabric softener. Give it a good few squeezes of soap, I like the water to look milky and squeeze and swirl the pants a few times, let set for about 20-30 minutes, giving it a few squeezes and swirls in that time

Step 3

This could be a little controversial, but once it has set for its 20-30 minutes. I don't rinse, but rather let the water drain (if there is a drain) and squeeze, squeeze, squeeze to get all that soapy water out. DO NOT wring it like you see people do, twisting it all up will damage, but rather hanging it and squeeze or squish going down the legs to the hem and the waistband.

Step 4

Drip Dry. I like to hang these over a chair in the sunny yard, over the shower curtain rod, or my little foldable drying rack. Drip dry time depends on the quilt and what its batting is, if its a newer polyfil batting, these will drip dry pretty quickly, if she is pre 1950s with a cotton batting, this could take a little more time. I like to check on them every do often and help her out by squeezing (again ;)) around the hems and waistband which is where the water likes to collect.

Step 5

Once you have feel these have sufficiently dried and aren't dripping anymore, for antique quilts I like to put in the drier on low, and for 1950s-current quilts I like to put them on medium. A little something extra but not necessary, is when there is about 20 minutes left on the cycle, I like to turn them inside out and finish drying. 

AND VIOLA! You have successfully washed your quilt clothing!!!!!!

Special Considerations

Please Please Please, NEVVVVER put these in the washing machine. There may be a few cases where this is ok, but to be safe hand-washing is best.

Quilt Tops and Linens with no batting or lining-

I like these to get a bit dryer and maybe even just let them completely dry is time and sun allows.

BIG STAINS-

If you happen to get a big stain from food, alcohol, or dirt. Before putting into the big wash I would try to give it a bit of a dab before washing with a soapy cloth and use a natural stain remover like Retro Clean  to wash (Retro clean has very detailed instruction on it on how to use)

If I missed something or you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out to me. 

Again, Thank you SO much from the bottom of my heart. I wish I could give you all a big hug, but I'm sending them out to you always <3 Philip