Big Problem NEED HELP
#1
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My first post ever on a web site, and am I happy I can put this problem out here. I am attempting to repair a quilt that was made in the '70s. It was machine sewn and hand tied. We (my friend and I) have taken it apart and it was so unbelievable uneven I am trying to square it. My problem is that the fabric in the blocks have stretched so (my guess a lot of washing over the years) much, and I need to add two borders, back and binding. I'm thinking that in order to get the correct measurements I should stretch and tape it down - and I know it will be so uneven again if I do this - but when I put the first border on the quilt, I will have stretch it and I have no clue what will happen then. I hope my description is ok, and I know there are a lot of wonderful quilters on this site. Sure look forward to you ideas. Marcia from Arizona (100 here today, uck)
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,521
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Welcome from Ontario, Canada. I would lay it out fairly straight and measure the fabric for borders. I wouldn't stretch it in case some of the seams let go or the fabrics fray. I would do one large border all around the top and then re-square the quilt top. You can cut quite a bit off of a large border without it being too noticeable that you've cut more off one side than the other. You might try an asymmetrical border setting( more on one side than the other) and embroider the family history on the larger side border?
Last edited by Tartan; 04-27-2013 at 11:48 AM.
#7
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Hi - when I say stretched (actually I don't know how else to describe it) the blocks bunch up and/or pooch up. I'd like to attach a photo from my iphone, but haven't been able to figure that out yet.
#8
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I don't mean to stretch the fabric hard - but when I sew on the borders, I'm going to have to somehow flatten out the edge blocks otherwise I will have little pleats all over the place---screech!!!!
#9
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You may want to take little darts in the edges so it won't pleat- wouldn't be as obvious. I repaired a similar type quilt & like you, wish I hadn't tackled the job! I couldn't take the ties out because they left big holes. I put a new back on over the old one & machine quilted little circles around all of the ties & where they had come out. I was pleased with how it came out but it took a lot of time. Good luck!
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