Thread: A friend of the family might want me to quilt something-advice?

I don't think you want to wash a top. Think of the fraying!!

I would suggest talking over potential issues with the woman whose mother made the quilt tops, just so everyone is on the same page.

I wouldn't wash it either. I would have the lady know exactly what needed done and have her involved in stuff...like selecting the backing, deciding how to quilt it, etc. That way no one is disappointed. Have her involved...

Dina

I certainly would not wash the top before quilting/binding it. I would first ask to see the tops to see what kind of shape they were in. If you think you can work with them, sit down with your friend and describe how you would complete it (quilting, backing and binding). If she is happy with your plan, I say go ahead since she has been good to you and yours over the years. If you do it, and if you feel the top may be fragile, just soak it in the sink with Woolite and air dry after you are done so it will be clean and fresh for the Mom.

And make notes and attach to the quilt top.

Originally Posted by Jeanne S

I certainly would not wash the top before quilting/binding it. I would first ask to see the tops to see what kind of shape they were in. If you think you can work with them, sit down with your friend and describe how you would complete it (quilting, backing and binding). If she is happy with your plan, I say go ahead since she has been good to you and yours over the years. If you do it, and if you feel the top may be fragile, just soak it in the sink with Woolite and air dry after you are done so it will be clean and fresh for the Mom.

DON'T WASH THEM. Ask me how I know.

I haven't seen them yet so I don't know what condition they're in. If they're too fragile I'm not going to do it.

I am hoping they were stored well enough that a mild washing wouldn't hurt when the project is done.

She and her husband are probably coming to town soon and I'll know more then.

I'll definitely ask her what she wants but she likes my work so she'll probably just turn me loose on it.

More than anything, I am interested in potential problems I might encounter.

The oldest top I've done was around ten years old.

These are probably at least fifty years old because mom is in her 90's and her daughter had no clue about these quilt tops.

Weird. Seems like something a person would know, right?

If I recall correctly, they might even all be hand pieced so maybe should be hand quilted to maintain consistency.

We'll see.

You definitely want to find out what she wants in the way of quilting and backing. A friend of mine has her aunt's quilt tops and she said she wants to hand quilt them since they are hand pieced. She has been saying that for over 10 years. When I suggested she have someone quilt them for her, she said they would do it by machine and that would destroy the tops. So you need to know what she wants and decide if you can do it, otherwise she may be very upset.

We discussed it briefly before and I told her I usually machine quilt.

But if they are hand pieced I will probably quilt them by hand to maintain consistency.

Machine quilting would probably look funny on something pieced by hand.

I'll definitely be asking for her input on that though and also on backing, borders, batting and binding.