Marking an antique quilt
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 239
Marking an antique quilt
I'm currently hand quilting my great-grandmother's Dresden Plate quilt. The blocks sat in a trunk in the attic for decades, and it just seemed right to put them together and finish it! I typically use a hera to mark for hand quilting, but with a Dresden Plate the open areas are quite large and I think it would be very fiddly to keep outlining the different elements of the design with a hera. I'm hesitant to use anything that has any chance of marking permanently or re-appearing. Due to its age and fragility this quilt will not be washed, so anything that requires laundering to remove it isn't an option. Ideas?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,093
I really love the General's Charcoal White pencils. But they don't mark very well on a white background. Don't know what color fabric you're quilting on. But they sharpen very well, write very well, and come off very well -- much better than chalk.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,821
It might depend on how "fiddly" your quilt design is but if you are using enough straight lines, can you put the stencil where you want to mark, placing straight pins upright where you'd usually do marking? Then stitch from one pin to the next, removing them as you go.
As to washing, If those sat for a long time, the finished quilt may benefit from a gentle wash. I don't know that I'd put it in the machine but perhaps in the bath tub and squishing water through it and then put it through a spin cycle in the washer to get the rest of the water out. I recently finished and hand quilted a very old top. It did fine and the laundry brightened it up that it looks--and smells--"new" again.
If these were blocks and you've handled them putting them together, you know the integrity of the fabric at this time. If they've done well with being constructed into a top, they probably will do ok in getting a bath. Just be gentle.
As to washing, If those sat for a long time, the finished quilt may benefit from a gentle wash. I don't know that I'd put it in the machine but perhaps in the bath tub and squishing water through it and then put it through a spin cycle in the washer to get the rest of the water out. I recently finished and hand quilted a very old top. It did fine and the laundry brightened it up that it looks--and smells--"new" again.
If these were blocks and you've handled them putting them together, you know the integrity of the fabric at this time. If they've done well with being constructed into a top, they probably will do ok in getting a bath. Just be gentle.
Last edited by illinois; 12-21-2023 at 04:47 AM.
#7
You have a treasure!!!!!!!!
Are you sure you can't wash it? I have several antique quilts that I've washed and they didn't get damaged at all. I soaked them and then spread them out to dry.
But to answer your question I would use chalk.
Please show us when you are finished!
Are you sure you can't wash it? I have several antique quilts that I've washed and they didn't get damaged at all. I soaked them and then spread them out to dry.
But to answer your question I would use chalk.
Please show us when you are finished!
#8
If you are wanting to do some simple stencil marking, trace it onto freezer paper and cut it out carefully, then iron this onto the top, and quilt around it, and then peel the paper off. Be careful your iron is not too hot; if your batting has poly in it, maybe try a sample sandwich first.
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 239
You have a treasure!!!!!!!!
Are you sure you can't wash it? I have several antique quilts that I've washed and they didn't get damaged at all. I soaked them and then spread them out to dry.
But to answer your question I would use chalk.
Please show us when you are finished!
Are you sure you can't wash it? I have several antique quilts that I've washed and they didn't get damaged at all. I soaked them and then spread them out to dry.
But to answer your question I would use chalk.
Please show us when you are finished!