Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, Department of
Date of this Version
April 2003
Abstract
No published results concerning the long-term performance of adhesive-containing commercial products are available to quilt makers. Consequently, they cannot make informed choices. The purpose of this study was to carry out accelerated light and heat aging on selected quilt basting sprays, fusible webs, and fusible battings to determine whether or not they contribute to discoloration or degradation over time. Selected products were exposed to 40 or 80 AATCC Fading Units of light exposure and 6 or 36 hours of heat aging. Following light exposure and heat aging, changes in color, strength and stiffness were measured. Results of this research show that fusible battings are the only commercial product acceptable for quilts intended as heirlooms or for museum collections. All adhesive sprays except one were associated with significant yellowing or strength losses following both shorter and longer periods of light exposure and heat aging. Selected fusible webs are acceptable for quilts intended to last for a lifetime (less than 100 years) but are not recommended for quilts intended as heirlooms or art quilts offered for sale to collectors or museums. Museum curators and most knowledgeable collectors do not want to pay thousands of dollars for a quilt that has a life span of less than 100 years, and possibly only 20 to 50 years.
Comments
Published in Textile Specialty Group Postprints 2003. Used by permission of the Textile Specialty Group of AIC.