AboutDARWIN D. BEARLEY Expertise I am considered by many to be an expert on AMERICAN ANTIQUE QUILTS.
My real expertise lies with ANTIQUE OHIO AMISH QUILTS and in 2006 the book, "ANTIQUE OHIO AMISH QUILTS, THE DARWIN D. BEARLEY COLLECTION" WAS PUBLISHED BY BERNINA SEWING MACHINE COMPANY OF ZURICH, SWITZERLAND.
I can help with all aspects of identification, dating, repair and cleaning. I also buy, and broker antique quilts.
Experience Over the past 30 odd years, I have bought and sold ANTIQUE QUILTS for a living. I also have a personal collection of Antique Ohio Amish Quilts.
I have sold to the Smithsonian, the LA County Museum of Art, the movie "What Lies Beneath" starring Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer and to Catherine Denuuve.
My Antique Ohio Amish Quilt Collection has been exhibited at The Museum of Our American Heritage, The Akron Art Institute, The Canton Art Museum, Wright State University and The Quilt National in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have also been exhibited in Germany and France and recently at the Quilt Expo in Houston, Texas. Many of the quilts have been published in various books, magazines and calendars. One was even pictured in National Geographic Magazine.
Recently a book on my collection was published by Bernina Sewing Machine Co. of Zurich entitled, "Antique Ohio Amish Quilts, The Darwin D. Bearley Collection"
Hello,
I was just wondering what the best way to clean this 100 year old quilt is. It was handmade by my grandmother's grandmother, and is in pretty good condition. Unfortunately it has some rust spots, and a line of discoloration in the middle. We were wondering what the best way to remove them were. Thank you for your help!
Beckie
Answer Beckie,
Let me start by telling you that your quilt is from the 1930's or 40's.
I Determined this from the fabrics used.
To clean it, I would do the following:
First, take your bottle of bleach and take it to the garage or as far away from the washer as you can. You don't want to be tempted to use it!
Fill you washing machine with warm water.
Add a gentle detergent like Ivory.
Put the quilt in by itself and agitate on Gentle cycle with the lid open.
By keeping the lid open, the machine will stop after the initial agitation.
Allow the quilt to than soak for a couple of hours.
Repeat the agitation and let it soak another hour or so.
Repeat but this time let it go through the complete wash cycle.
Don't use any fabric softener!
You can add white vinegar instead if you want.
Gently remove from the machine and take it to a laundromat and dry it in a big dryer by itself.
It is best to under-dry it and allow it to air dry preferably in the sun.
This should do it or at least improve it a lot.
Please note, I would not suggest this for a much older textile...
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