Patching up an old quilt?
09-22-2013, 06:23 AM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 183
Patching up an old quilt?
Hi, All,
The first quilt I ever made, when I was 22, is showing signs of wear and tear (and my not-so-sublime beginner stitching skills). There's an eight-inch opening along the border and a couple of small tears at the binding. This quilt has seen a lot of wear-and-tear; it has been a lap quilt, a pet quilt, a picnic blanket. It has been laundered a hundred times over. And, I love it.
I'd like to patch up the holes, but have never done this before. I'm thinking of appliqueing patches that cover the holes. Does that sound viable? I actually don't mind that the patches will show like band-aids on a cut--I figure it's part of the history of this quilt.
Any and all suggestions will be much-appreciated.
Best,
aso
The first quilt I ever made, when I was 22, is showing signs of wear and tear (and my not-so-sublime beginner stitching skills). There's an eight-inch opening along the border and a couple of small tears at the binding. This quilt has seen a lot of wear-and-tear; it has been a lap quilt, a pet quilt, a picnic blanket. It has been laundered a hundred times over. And, I love it.
I'd like to patch up the holes, but have never done this before. I'm thinking of appliqueing patches that cover the holes. Does that sound viable? I actually don't mind that the patches will show like band-aids on a cut--I figure it's part of the history of this quilt.
Any and all suggestions will be much-appreciated.
Best,
aso
09-22-2013, 06:41 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Vermont
Posts: 7,011
sounds like my quilt! I made a Tumbling Blocks back in 1980, I think I have re-patched almost half of the diamonds in it. Also replaced the binding.
Go ahead and sew new patches on - sometimes if you use used clothing, you can match the look of the quilt better than using new fabric. What pattern is it?
Go ahead and sew new patches on - sometimes if you use used clothing, you can match the look of the quilt better than using new fabric. What pattern is it?
09-22-2013, 06:46 AM
#3
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4,061
I think patches add character to a much loved quilt, especially if it was one made by me. This seems a better option than tearing the quilt apart to redo the original parts. Have fun with this project and hope it brings back memories of the original stitching days.
09-22-2013, 07:13 AM
#4
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 183
Thanks so much for the validation, ladies!
Barb: It's a King's Hiway pattern. I hadn't thought to use old clothes, that's a great suggestion. I also have some solids in the same tones as the patterned colors I used all those years ago.
I agree, MaryMo, that it is better and way more preferable than tearing up the quilt.
Some of the batting has fallen out, only out of the bug 8-inch opening. Do you think I should tuck in a little bit of fusible batting before putting on the patch?
Barb: It's a King's Hiway pattern. I hadn't thought to use old clothes, that's a great suggestion. I also have some solids in the same tones as the patterned colors I used all those years ago.
I agree, MaryMo, that it is better and way more preferable than tearing up the quilt.
Some of the batting has fallen out, only out of the bug 8-inch opening. Do you think I should tuck in a little bit of fusible batting before putting on the patch?
09-22-2013, 09:51 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,203
To fix the area around the border, you can fix that with bias tape, or a straight edge tape placed all around the quilt, in effect forming an additional border. You can do the same at the binding, or even sew on a new binding or another small border just inside the binding. That could be done by machine.
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