RE: old quilts Actually it is better NOT to take it to the dry cleaners. They use some really strong chemicals and that is not what you want to use on old quilts. Better to use a mild detergent such as BIZ. Fill a big sink, or use the bathtub fill with luke warm water and soak each one over night. I wrap the quilt in a sheet so I don't have to handle the quilt itself. Then push pull, squeeze, squeeze, rinse, rinse, until the water comes clean. Gently roll the sheet up, with quilt inside and get as much water as you can out. Then let the quilt dry in a warm place, preferably not in direct sun, again using the sheet to pull the quilt out flat. When it is totally dry you can fold it up, drape it over a quilt rack and/or so on. This is a multi-person activity and best done in the summer.This is also only done if the quilts are very dirty or discolored. If they have been in a box, they probably dont really need to be cleaned, just aired out. Go to your local quilt store or museum to ask for the name of someone to give you a dollar evaluation. Good luck Diane Gardner dianeg@rosenet.net >--- BoborJamie@aol.com wrote: >> Does anyone on the list know where I would take old >> quilts for cleaning and >> evaluation, or at least how to clean them. I just >> opened a big box that came >> from my Aunt's estate and contained quilts from >> possibly 3 generations. >> SCORE!! > > For cleaning, you'd take them to a dry cleaner, >and have them treated like a wedding dress you want to >preserve. On the other hand, if you do that, how are >you going to enjoy it? I'd just take them to a dry >cleaner that advertises they are willing to spend the >extra time (and appropriate fee) for taking care of >heirlooms. > > As far as evaluation, there are numerous people >at state fairs who have that information. Contact >some of the people who are entering the quilting >contests of your state fair. Find out who the judges >are. They could certainly tell you who would be a >good evaluator. Lastly, don't forget to check out the >4-H organizations in your area. They would also know >who could do evaluations. > >===== >