Are You a Quilter??

Use them for everything - my son has one quilt in his crib, one in the car, and one as a back-up. Throw 'em in with the kiddo's wash when the rest is done - baby quilts are made to be resilient, and made to be used (and used and used).

It doesn't really matter if the fabric has been pre-washed, the quilting (or ties, depending on how they're made) will keep the quilt from shrinking or distorting.

Enjoy those quilts, and remember the love that was sewn into them - the love for the child that's using them, not the love of a perfectly decorated room to put them in!

C.,

I'm a very new quilter learning from my MIL who loves to quilt. While getting fabric for the quilt that I'm trying to make for my daughter we were told to get fabric that was 100% cotton, nothing with a mix in it. Taking from my husband's side of the family, my MIL makes her quilts with the expectation that they will get used. I've just thrown the quilts in with the rest of the laundry (after asking how to wash them as needed) and they're still around.

Melissa

I fought with if I should use certain blankets that were recieved as gifts too.I decided to use them and just put them up at a later time if I saw that they were getting worn out too much.As for washing them, I just wash them on the delicate cycle with half the detergant as a normal load of laundry and they seem to be holding up just fine and there has been A LOT of spit up on them due to my daughter VERY picky tummy when she was an infant.

C.,
When I make quilts, I always wash them before I wrap them up and give them away. (Hopefully the giver did this for you) I just put them into the wash with normal detergent (scent and chemical free), warm water and gentle cycle. If the quilt is bigger than a twin, I take them to a laundry mat that has the HUGE washers. I think they are like 33gal or bigger. They are meant for sleeping bags and large loads. Then I dry in the dryer under medium to low heat just like you would for any type of laundry. Also, put 2-3 tennis balls in the dryer to help keep the blanket from sticking to the side of the dryer and not moving around.

I don't recommend any type of dry cleaning products or taking them to the dry cleaner. These are chemicals that don't come out of the blanket. Also the chemicals might make your child ill.

I made a blanket for my brother in law over 10 years ago for Christmas and he still loves it. This month, it finally needs a repair on only 1 block and it is the first and only one. He washes it the same as I did and has no issues.

I wish you luck.

Use those quilts:) That is how they officially become heirloom quilts:)

Wash them like you would any other blanket. The first time you wash them there may be a little shinkage, but that's okay. I wouldn't use dryell with them. The more you wash them the softer the cotton will get. There is nothing better than a well loved blankie. Anytime I make a baby quilt I tell the mom to be sure and use it. The makers of your quilts wanted you to use them.

Both of our kids have little quilts made by their grandma and they have been washed many many times. Gently cycle and low dry. If they are tied together one of our is then you need to make sure and tighten the ties before the wash. Yes it is a lot of work but well worth the time if it is going to keep the quilt together. I would suggest not letting the kids get anything on it that would need spray and wash but if you have to I don't think it will hurt too much. Use them they were made with love and were meant to cover the kids with love! Enjoy them!

Glad to hear you are using those quilts. We wash ours on gentle, then dry on low til they are still damp, then hang them over our drying rack to finish drying. Someone once told me that it's not the washing but the super hot drying that wears fabrics out faster.

With a larger quilt, I use the washing machine like a giant laundry bucket. That is, I fill it with water and soap, then gently hand wash the item in the tub of water, let it drain and spin dry on low and repeat for the rinse. This also works with sleeping bags and comforters that are too big to agitate on a regular wash cycle.

I'm a quilter, and I've made many a quilt for little ones, and unless they are clearly made from some exotic fabrics (velvet, satin, or some sucn) they will be washer/dryer friendly.
Not bleach :) Most quilters use cotton, and the fabric is nearly always washed and dried before it is cut into pieces, and so from an old quilter -- let the baby enjoy the made from the heart gifts. They are more than likely made to be used. I know that mine are. The batting will be fine, too. It's usually cotton or fiberfill -- just make sure that (if they are tied quilts) that the ties are secure -- replace ties if they wear out (because then the filling will shift) or that the quilting doesn't start to unravel and come apart. If your friends are experienced quilters, they will have done everything that needs to be done to be sure that your child's quilt does indeed last to become an heirloom. Happy blanket, happy baby!! Penny G

C.,
You got all the advice you need on this, I just wanted ta add my two cents....I love and cherish a quilt my mom gave me and I use it on my bed so it gets lots of use...I look at the wear and tare as memories of how long and useful this gift of love has been for me. I have had to repair mine 3 times (over the last 20+ yrs) and I repair it myself with different colors that stand out and hand stitch it big so you can see it! I think it just adds to the charm of it.

K.

USE THEM! The people that made them for you made them for you to use, that's what us quilters do. And baby drool is completely washable. I prefer washing my quilts in cold water and I use All or if he has allergies you could use Dreft. I do not use fabric softener usually, but that's because of family allergies. Fancy quilts you can use horse shampoo to wash because it's very gentle.

I'd like to just add one thing. I am a quilter and have made 100's of baby quilts and they can all be washed normally. The one thing that I do with all my quilts that you may consider on the first washing is to throw in a cup of white vinegar to set the color. This has helped all the quilts that I've made fairly fade resistent. Most quilters will use cotton fabrics so they can be washed normally and it is MUCH more of a compliment if the quilts are used. I have many quilter friends that have not made 2nd quilts for families (2nd baby) because the quilts never gets used. Both of my kids have multiple quilts that are drooled on, spit up on, etc and have been washed several times and still look wonderful. Enjoy.

As long as the fabrics were pre-washed then you should be able to wash normally. I even throw mine in the dryer on med. heat.
If you are concerned about color run you can try those color catchers in the wash.

A quilt made from the usual materials - cotton or cotton-blend fabric and cotton or polyester batting - can stand up to the washing machine just fine. The one thing to be concerned about is shrinking if the maker didn't pre-shrink the fabric, so dry gently if you can't find that out.

As you said, quilts are meant to be used. I have a quilt made by my great-great grandmother. The fabric is now wearing out after covering five generations of family, but I'm sure she'd want it that way.

Use them! Any drool or spit up will just add to the memories.