Episode 476: Get Your Quilts Spotless

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Summer is a great time to clean or freshen your quilts. When you're making a quilt, how you're going to wash and care for the quilt is probably the last thing on your mind. And although you may get lucky and have a quilt displayed in your home that's always clean, odds are that at some point you're going to have to deal with dust, dirt, pet hair, or even a larger stain on a quilt. Lindsay Mayland walks you through a few basics on how to tackle these common messes, so your quilts are always looking their best.

See more details on how to wash and care for your quilts here.

See sewer-approved soaps here.

We are so excited to share all these tips about freshening your quilts, because this week's Sweet, Quilty Home challenge is to clean your quilts! For those who don't know, our Sweet, Quilty Home challenge is something we're hosting on the podcast and social media! This challenge will last for 10 weeks this summer (July 6-September 13). This program focuses on creating your best home -- a beautiful place to relax and be creative. Each week, we'll issue a challenge: one small step you can take throughout the week to brighten your home and set your space up for sewing success. If you participate, you can use the hashtag #sweetquiltyhome on Instagram.

See more about Sweet, Quilty Home here.

Jody Sanders then interviews Audrey Esarey of Cotton & Bourbon. Audrey shares how she got her start in quilting, her love of curves (check out her Offset and Watercolor quilt series on Instagram), and her gorgeous hand-dyed fabrics that she makes using ice-dyeing. (She learned the process from Anna Joyce's book Hand Dyed.) Audrey is also a pattern designer, offers longarm quilting services, and has helpful tutorials on her website, include her popular video on making facing for a quilt.

Follow Audrey on Instagram.