EDIT: I did not make this quilt; I am merely conserving it to make it last a few more decades. It was in questionable shape when I got it.
Not completely finished with the repairs, but today I took the big step and washed the quilt - the water was the grossest color! I washed it in a bathtub and dried it in a domestic dryer - not the nuclear ones like I have where I live! A lot of the dirt came out. I then went over the surface and checked for any seams that did not make it through the washing process. In total, I replaced 23 of the patches that were shredding, and made 31 seam repairs! If I decide to wash it a second time (some of the stains look like coffee), I will again go over the entire surface and then replace some of the yarn ties that are missing. Although I intend to give this away in a free raffle where I live, at least I know that my attention to the quilt will help it last many more decades.
Updated Note: Today I put it in a commercial washer and dryer for a second wash & dry and got even more of the dirt out of it, but some of the stains seem to be permanent. I sewed a few more popped seams, but mostly I was replacing missing ties which help to hold the batting in place. As far as I am concerned, I have done everything I can possibly do to keep the integrity of the quilt together for whoever owns it next. On to the next sewing project!















