Ever since childhood, I’ve been a musical person. At the age of seven, I started taking piano lessons. When I was a teenager, I began singing solos at community events. Not surprisingly, I adore wind chimes. Every time the wind blows, these beautiful music makers spring into action. Their soothing, melodious, and high pitched sound calms and refreshes me. I am amazed at the amount of eclectic wind chimes available for sale at various retailers. One can enjoy the music of pig, cat, or even seashell themed wind chimes. If you know someone who enjoys natural harmonies, wind chimes make a perfect gift. On this blog, you will discover how to buy the right set of wind chimes for your loved one. Enjoy!
Wind Chimes, the Gift of Music
How To Care For An Amish Hand-Stiched Handmade Quilt
Tyler Morgan
If you've recently purchased or received a handmade, hand-stitched Amish quilt, there are several things that you can do to protect the blanket and keep it looking its best for years to come. These beautiful handwoven pieces will keep you warm on cold nights, as well as become focal points of any room they're displayed in.
Amish quilts are typically constructed of a quilted top, batting, and a quilted bottom all stitched together to form one piece. If you have a hand-stitched quilt, the Amish artisan stitched the seams together completely by hand using a needle and thread, reinforcing it several times to create a strong bond.
Handmade Amish quilts, which are generally made of a durable cotton blend, feature a wide range of colors and patterns, making them the ideal gift or home decoration piece for any occasion. Patterns include stars, flowers, geometric patterns, circles, triangles, squares, and specialized designs such as wedding rings and baby bottles.
When it comes to caring for your Amish hand-stitched handmade quilt, treat it like a delicate heirloom piece that you can pass down for several generations. Here are some care tips to keep in mind:
1. Spot-Cleaning the Quilt
If you spill something on your quilt in between regular washings, you can spot-clean the area using a mixture of hot water and a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid. First, remove any excess liquid with an absorbent immediately after you notice it to avoid staining.
Next, dip a soft white cloth into the soapy water mixture, and dab it onto the stain being careful not to overly saturate the area. Remove excess moisture using a clean absorbent cloth, and repeat the process until the spot is gone.
For stubborn stains, you may be able to use a stain removal product recommended for use on cotton. Test it on a small area first to check for colorfastness.
2. Washing the Quilt
Depending on how much use the quilt gets, regularly wash it in your washing machine to keep it fresh and clean. Wash the quilt on the machine's gentle cycle using cold water and a mild, dye- and perfume-free detergent. Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals, which can damage the fabric. If you have a larger quilt, you may have to use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat.
Dry the quilt in your dryer on the machine's delicate cycle. Since quilts are so heavy when they're wet, you may have to run it through cycles. You can also line-dry it outside on a nice day.
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