A Guest Room Quilt

"Please do something with this - it's yours now."

The quilt was wrapped in a plastic bag and all that I could see was the binding and the backing. I felt discouraged when I checked and there was no label.

The only thing we know about the quilt is the quiltmaker and her love of her flower garden. Each quilt block has a fussy-cut flower in the center. "Gims" had the most beautiful Camellia bush at the front corner of their house; it was likely 50+ years old. And, I always admired her most fragrant, enormous Cecile Brunner climbing rose in their side yard. She enjoyed growing Nasturtium - only in pots, and cautioned that they can overtake an area wherever they are planted.

One problem, I have been airing the quilt for a year now and the musty smell will not go away. When I took it to a dry-cleaner, she opened the quilt and pointed to a spot where the sashing was frayed and said they would not touch the quilt unless all of the stitches were perfect.

So, after much consideration, yesterday was the day - into the washing machine it went! I added 1/2 cup of Baking Soda and crossed my fingers.

Well, that was much better! Maybe the sunlight can freshen it out even more. I had been drying the quilt in the sunlight over the front porch handrail.

Even the fabric looks brighter. After a few minutes, I turned it over, to continue drying and airing out. It only took about 40 minutes to completely dry.

"Good friends are like quilts - they age with you yet never lose their warmth." ~Anonymous

My next task is to add a label and decide if it will cover the guest room bed and blend with the antique furniture, decor and accent wall. I'm trying to look beyond the blue fabric in the quilt - we don't have any blues in the house. However, the quilt's overall look is more subdued and muted and the earthy tones may just work. Now, I'm waiting for another sunny day to cover the quilt with a sheet to freshen in the sunlight.

Thank you for stopping by.

XOXOX