100 Year Old Redwork
02-15-2010, 01:44 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: West Jefferson, NC
Posts: 35
My mother (86) has a dear neighbor, Lorraine (75). Lorraine had this piece of REDWORK and asked if I thought it was worth saving. Could not believe my luck that today's topic is redwork. Never heard of it before, but suspect that this is made up of "penny squares". Very thin, delicate muslin. Done in about 5 different tones of deep pink/red/burgundy thread. Size is 7 x 9 blocks ... appox 56"x 72".
Lorraine's mother (Marie) obviously worked on this in 1910. A friend (Niada) helped with the squares.
NEED HELP to quilt and preserve this beautiful piece of work. My plan ....
1) spray glue top to unbleached muslin to re-enforce it.
2) hand launder to remove dirt and stains.
3) dry flat on floor so that red thread (if not colorfast) will not run.
4) back with either unbleached muslin or flour sacks.
5) machine quilt with off-white thread around the blocks which are NOT sewn in straight rows. So I'll have to work this as best I can. Do not want to tie this... would distract from embroidery.
NEED YOUR SUGGESTIONS / RECOMMENDATIONS. This is much too precious not to preserve it.
See other new posting "5 Treasures from Grandma".
Lorraine's mother (Marie) obviously worked on this in 1910. A friend (Niada) helped with the squares.
NEED HELP to quilt and preserve this beautiful piece of work. My plan ....
1) spray glue top to unbleached muslin to re-enforce it.
2) hand launder to remove dirt and stains.
3) dry flat on floor so that red thread (if not colorfast) will not run.
4) back with either unbleached muslin or flour sacks.
5) machine quilt with off-white thread around the blocks which are NOT sewn in straight rows. So I'll have to work this as best I can. Do not want to tie this... would distract from embroidery.
NEED YOUR SUGGESTIONS / RECOMMENDATIONS. This is much too precious not to preserve it.
See other new posting "5 Treasures from Grandma".
Marie 1910
[ATTACH=CONFIG]8527[/ATTACH]
Niada 1910
[ATTACH=CONFIG]8528[/ATTACH]
02-15-2010, 02:14 PM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: La Quinta, CA
Posts: 3,918
It's so beautiful, a real treasure. I can't recomend how to treat it, I just don't know enough. Perhaps there is a textile conservator on the forum or near you. I'd tend to not do anything without expert advise.
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