Repairing an old Grandmother's flower garden quilt

16 years ago

A friend of mine lost her mother recently and was given a very old very worn quilt.She has asked me if I could do some repair work on it, add some borders and backing so that she could use it on a queen size bed (it is twin size). Whew! The hexagons are very worn. I mean holes in them worn, batting sticking out worn. She really doesn't want to pack it away. My only thought was to cover the worn ones with new ones although they will rise above the others. I had hoped they would be worn around the seams but no they are worn threw the center as if a cat tore at them or got caught in a washer over the years. Any thoughts or suggestions?

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Comments (6)

bluebars
16 years ago
Oooh, that's a tough one. Maybe you can convince her to "treasure" the quilt, document the quilt and its maker, add a label and store it properly.
It sounds like it won't take much more wear, even with restoration. Your idea will work, covering the worn spots, but it will likely "show" as you said, especially if you use new and not period fabric. Any new fabric might tend to stress old worn fabrics if not done extremely carefully.
To disassemble the blocks and re-applique patches would take a long time; why not spend that time making a new quilt that can be used and abused. If an inherited quilt has such sentimental value to the owner, it should not be used on a bed and laundered frequently. If the quilt is considered valuable (marketable) then adding new fabrics could devalue it as a vintage or antique quilt.
Another tactic would be to consult a professional quilt restorer, because it will be VERY expensive.
Do let us know what she decides.
BlueBars
hbquilter
Original Author
16 years ago
You have some valid thoughts. I tried to talk her into retiring it but she just doesn't want to. She said if I can replace the border and add another border she would except the "worn patches". I'm afraid that once repaired it will lose it's sentiment. I thought after the holidays I would lay it out, look it over and get some quilt shop owners opinions then go from there.
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If these were mine, I would simply cherish them. If you don't know how to repair them, leave them alone or find a professional. If it only needs some stitching here and there to secure patches, you can use some hidden applique stitches to secure them, but otherwise, I would not use new fabrics to replace anything. If there are serious rips, however, perhaps an "honest patch" would prevent further damage. They have been loved and used, but gladly, not to cover an antique car or on a dog bed (nothing against dogs, but ...). You might also want to document them for future generations. Invest in acid free storage boxes, document and label them, and store them properly, not in an attic, basement, or forgotten in a closet as so many are. I have only one quilt that my grandma made. That's a story for another day. I will have to post a photo and tell about it one day soon. BlueBars
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glassquilt
16 years ago
What if you put tulle over it for protection?
sandra_ferguson
16 years ago
If you decide to repair the quilt, do NOT remove the damaged portions.....place new fabric over the old, damaged areas. You want to disturb as little as possible, the old fabric, and ripping out sewing will only weaken it more..so, put new over old. How do you plan to add borders? You'll need batting and backing for the new borders....how will you join the old and new? If there's sufficient border on the extant quilt, I guess you might take off the binding and add add the new, covering the seam on the back and front, but honestly, when you think about it, you'll end up having this twin sized old portion with very large borders of new fabric, all around the old. Personally, I don't think she'll be pleased with the way it looks.....I'd think it would be better to turn it into more of a lap quilt to drape on a chair, or something else that wouldn't get much wear, and wouldn't have a ton of new fabric.....if new is interspersed throughout the quilt, in replacement hexagons, it won't look bad, but a twin with BIG new borders making it a queen will only make the center look 'sad' and the borders, too new.
Tulle is used to hold old, damaged sections of a quilt in place...it's a good idea, but you could not expect this method to be a good enough repair for an item you plan to actually use....it's really not a repair, but just preserves pieces in situ, as gently as possible.
Amy Rountree
last year
I’m working on a project right now like this. It is very time consuming! When patches are totally gone, I’m replacing them. Otherwise I’m darning Or embroidering over small holes. I’ve attached before and after photos. I’m putting a little batting in when the batting is totally gone as well.
Rho Dodendron
last year
Amy-- you have lots of patience!

Repairing an old Grandmother's flower garden quilt

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bluebars

hbquilter
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Repairing an old Grandmother's flower garden quilt

Comments (6)

bluebars

hbquilterOriginal Author

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glassquilt

sandra_ferguson

Amy Rountree

Rho Dodendron

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hbquilter
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