Crazy Quilt needs attention.
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 463
A neighbor brought me two old crazy quilts and asked me to put on a backing. binding and a sleeve to hang them. I'm at odds here as I have repaired old quilts but never anything like these. They are approximately 60 inch squares...One is made of satins and the other has MaMa embroidered in the middle plus other fabrics-velvet, brocade, silk etc. I don't really want to do anything with them so am asking for some advice. Oh, and on the back of the blocks there are a lot of longer thread, do I cut these? These are completely hand done. Please help. I will ask her when I can get in touch with her if I can photograph them for the picture segment.
#3
Many things lose considerable value if they are "finished" by later generations, too. Given the size of the works, the weight of those fabrics if hung would definitely make stretching a concern. Crazy quilts were not made to be hung, they were displayed flat.
#4
What about a heavy brochade drapery fabric or something that is heavy and stiff like that, I wouldn't cut the threads anywhere on original, if they are on the front I would poke them through to the back. Did they consider having them framed rather than backing and sleeve? They might hold the shape better and you wouldn't be messing with the original piece.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 463
No Bearisgray. As a matter of fact as soon as I can reach her by phone I am going to call her and tell her I prefer not doing these and hand them back. The one is so beautiful I wish it was mine....I wouldn't do a thing with it but showcase it somehow. I still want to ask her if I can post the pictures.
#7
I've just started a block for a crazy so was drawn to your thread. I agree about not messing with it - I wouldn't dare that's for sure! But at the same time, it's a shame NOT to display something like this. Of course it has historical value but if it were me who'd made it I'd want it to be enjoyed not stuck away in a box. I would suggest having it carefully mounted onto a frame but would think this is a specialist task... I'd LOVE it if we could see pictures. :-D
#9
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
It is a wise person that knows when to leave something alone - or when to suggest a specialist.
If an item is my own, if I muck it up, oh, well. I am so much more skittery/cautious when it comes to something that belongs to someone else.
If an item is my own, if I muck it up, oh, well. I am so much more skittery/cautious when it comes to something that belongs to someone else.
#10
I would hesitate too on doing anything to these...I would be afraid that hanging them would make them stretch and eventually tear. People who don't sew/quilt may not understand this.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gypsyquilter
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
17
12-09-2010 04:31 AM