Sunday, February 10, 2013

A charmed life

Most of my vintage and antique quilts are only for display or used for lectures.  There is one however that is used almost daily.

Last summer my husband was very ill.  During two months he lost almost 50 pounds (and since he is 5 foot 5 inches tall that is a lot of weight.)  Anyway, since losing the weight he gets cold easily.  Our gas fireplace is on almost every night and this red and beige (originally green!)  quilt circa 1900 is his favorite to wrap himself up in.  It is soft, big, and warm without being bulky...

Well a couple weeks ago I was sewing in my studio.  I heard my DH outside the door (kept shut to keep the pets out...not enough space for all of them and the fabric too!)  Anyway, he left then came back bout 20 minutes later.  "I have a confession...don't get angry."  Oh, dear.  "I spilled diet cherry Dr. Pepper."  Now back-story  it took me two weeks to the last red DCDP stain out of the carpet in the living-room   As I started to walk past him he put his arm out to blocks me.  "I took care of it, but that is my second confession." he said. Now I am picturing a huge bleach stain in the middle of the room...or maybe he bleached the dog?  Who wants to walk a polka dotted Scottish Terrier?!

As all of these horrible things go flying through my brain he says "I put the quilt in the washing machine."  Quilt? What quilt?  Then it hit me.  "You don't mean the red and white (deep breath)...you know I wash antique quilts in the bathtub...(deep breath)"   I walk quickly to the laundry room.  There is nothing in the washer!  This is all a joke right?

Nope...not only did he wash it in the machine but he popped it into the dryer (the second of the deadly sins...)  I gently took the almost dry quilt out of the dryer and laid it out on the floor...no stain...no rips...no fading...it is fine.  He, and this quilt, live charmed lives.

All I can say is "do not try this at home...."

24 comments:

Karendianne said...

Oh my goodness sakes I'm wordless!!!!

regan said...

A charmed life, for sure! I hoping he still got the 10 minute lecture, the glare, and the finger shaking! lol

Frog Quilter said...

What a guy! Glad he got it clean without any fabric breakdown. Did he blame the cat lol?

Dawn said...

Oh my. So glad it all worked out.
He can feel extra warm under the quilt now ;-)

sewkalico said...

Phew! What a relief for both of them!!!

Judy in Michigan said...

I couldn't read fast enough to see what happened all the time holding my breath! Whew!! He is one lucky fellow (besides being married to such a sweetie!)

ytsmom said...

Well, I'm glad to hear you won't be spending time in jail (for killing DH). They don't allow sharp objects in there, so no sewing!!!

Loris said...

Good story, especially with the happy ending :-) It's sweet that he knows how important these quilts are but I suppose he better attend one of your lectures about how to clean them :-)
He does sound like a keeper!

AnnieO said...

Gasp! Lucky DH that his confession session didn't end in blood loss :)

Patty ♣ said...

Thanks for the giggles!!!!!

Betty Lou said...

The original maker must have used very good fabric and tiny stitches. A charmed life indeed.

Janet O. said...

Oh, I was holding my breath until everything came out all right. Do you have to ask yourself how he could have lived with you so long and not known NOT to do that. I'm glad everything--and everyone--came through this experience intact! : )

Sue said...

Oh my . How many lives does he have. As many as a cat no doubt.

Karen said...

You have an honest husband! Good that the quilt is none the worse and ready for him to use.

Merilyn said...

Oh! goodness!!!! He likes to live dangerously doesn't he LOL!!!!!
So glad to hear that married life will continue harmoniously.....for now.....LOL!!!!!

Jeanne said...

That was a close one! Maybe you need to make another quilt to keep him warm. :-)

Gypsy Quilter said...

Ummm, how many years before he come up for parole?

Sue SA said...

Poor DH, here he was thinking he did the right thing! Oh my your heart must have been pounding fast! We do like to live dangerously dont we..I think this everytime I have a coffee sitting next to my sewing machine or computer! So glad it all worked out in the end.

dianne said...

ha ha ha!!! a man who does laundry! gotta love him!

and a polka dotted scotty dog - ha ha ha!!!

Sharon said...

What a great ending. My dh and I argued over putting a plant on a quilt that was being used as a table cloth, I gave up, and then he was horrified with the big stain on the white. I washed the quilt about 5 times, got it out, and forgave him.

The Civil War Quilter said...

Be still my heart! You had me really worried for the quilt's well-being and your husband's life!!!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Oh bless him...he was trying to help. Lucky for both the quilt and the husband that it had a happy ending :o)

Kay Koeper Sorensen said...

My comment is for your DH. I spilled more than one can of Coca cola on my rug.
I now keep my can of Coke in a coffee mug which is large enough and heavy enough.
Of course I take it out of the mug to have a drink - but so far so good- and I have been doing this for at least 4 years now.


Unknown said...

You were very lucky, as you know, that those reds stayed where they belong. Poor husband; newly educated about washing antique quilts will probably never spill again!