In my cutter quilt stash I have two pieces of an old crazy quilt made with heavy fabrics, including a fair amount of wool. They're not exceptional enough to preserve as they are, and I'd like to make them into something else; possibly a journal cover. The only problem is that they're both smelly and maybe soiled.
I decided to do what you should never do with a crazy quilt you want to preserve, especially one with wool patchwork: I soaked the smaller piece in cold water and a little bit of mild detergent, and gently pressed on it a few times (versus scrunching or wringing the piece.) The water turned brown, which meant it was soiled. Then I dried it flat on a towel. This could have ruined it by causing wool shrinkage, dye migration, fabric shattering, etc., and I was prepared for all that.
Here's the smaller piece after washing it, next to the bigger unwashed piece for comparison:
Doesn't look like I washed it at all, right? I know, I got very lucky. Anyway, the smell is gone, and the piece is clean, which was what I wanted. Now I'll do the same with the bigger piece.
Let me repeat what I said before, though: never do this with a crazy quilt you wish to preserve. Ever.
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