How To Remove Pencil Marks From Quilt Tops And Machine Quilting Old Quilts

Ah ha, here it is...found it, safely tucked away in a drawer, my favorite recipe-- "how to remove pencil marks from fabrics". This is the recipe I feared lost. It is tested and true, and have mixed up many a batch. Since pencil marks are prevalent on old quilt tops, be sure to pre-test in an inconspicuous place first. This is especially important if you are working with Turkey Red or other colors that could have a tendency to fade. Here is your recipe:

1/4 cup water
3/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1 drop clear dish washing liquid

Mix and keep in a capped bottle. Apply with a soft toothbrush and blot with clean towels as you go.

It has also been suggested to use the new clear Windex product, but this is untested in my studio.

As a professional longarm quilter we work with fabrics and already know that to complete a quilt top, no matter how old it is...we must machine quilt it the way we receive it, dirty or not. There was one quilt that actually made me ill for several days. Whatever dirt was deeply embedded in the fabric, even an occasional spritz of soapy water would not remove the spots.

Even if the quilt is soiled you don't have a choice because laundering can distort the fabric.

So how can you launder the quilt's fabric without having the seam margins shred away and thread break from the agitation in your washing machine? Though I have not even dared to try this method, you can put it in a pillowcase and wash it on delicate in your washing machine. Leave it on soak for about about ten minutes and shorten the spin as much as possible. Again, be sure to test this.

The best solution may be to simply soak it in a bath tub with a sheet under it with the corners of the sheet extending outward at the four corners of the tub. After washing, you can now safely remove the whole quilt or quilt top without putting any stress on the seams and fabric from the weight of the water draining away. Simply pull it out of the water by grabbing the four corners of the sheet. You will probably need help with this because of the sheer weight of the water.

To dry simply lay the washed quilt or quilt top on top of a sheet you have laid outside on a flat area of your lawn and block. Be careful not to leave in the direct sunlight for a long period of time. It usually takes the entire day to dry thoroughtly.

This also works well for washing delicate old quilts because the sheet totally supports the batting. This method helps keep older quilts in one piece as much as possible without resorting to agitating them in a washing machine so you can enjoy your charished heirlooms for many years to come.