How do I fix damage on an old quilt
#1
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I went to a quilt auction held by a local guild yesterday. I bought an old quilt that was entirely handmade. It was a grandmothers flower garden pattern. It looks to be from the 30's. Nicely made, no stains, and the colors were still bright. The batting was cotton that had wadded up just like the quilts I remember from when I was a child. However, it does have some wear damage on the binding. Some of the very outside edges have frayed open. The binding is muslin the same as used in the quilt's blocks. I'd like some advice as to whether or not to repair the damage on this quilt. It will be used just for display, but I'm not sure if the fix will be better than just leaving it. I just don't know if I'd do more damage repairing it.
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Not Quite Far Eastern Canada
Posts: 231
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I might be tempted to rebind it going further in than the original binding to cover and stabilize the wear. I would not, however, wash it until I had talked to a fabric conservator at a museum. They usually give good advice for nothing.
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
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I would do as PP says, just make a little wider binding that will cover the existing binding. I keep tell everyone on this board that usually it is the binding that will wear out first. You might just find a perfect 30's print.
#6
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 4,952
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I like the idea of covering it with a wider binding. I've found a lot of original, 20s and 30s quilt fabrics at Effie's, on Ebay, that would do the trick. They're still old and not reprints, so you might find one that is a good match.
~ Cindy
~ Cindy
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