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ccbear66 03-21-2008 03:39 PM

I'm going to repost granny8's questions so maybe more poeple will respond to it

mother started a baby quilt some 45 yrs ago and now i want to finish it. it has 7 rows of 5 squares. the squares are sewed together but the squares are not of the same size. the smallest is 6 1/2 x 6 1/2. So the seams do not meet. i am a beginner quilter and have no idea how to finish this baby quilt. She has cross stitched baby animals on each white square and these are joined with a pink square. Do i need to separate all these squares and resize them? What do you suggest? Thank you donna

sandpat 03-21-2008 03:45 PM

What a treasure you have! I'd love to have found something like this that my grandmother did. Well..here is what I would do with it. I would NOT take anything apart, instead I would ADD to the smaller blocks to make them a size that would work with the larger blocks. Keep in mind that not all the rows or even all of the columns HAVE to be the same sizes. Sometimes it is nice to vary the size of them anyway..it adds interest in my opinion. When you have the blocks in sizes that you want to work with, lay them out and you can even add sashing to the blocks to make them all play together nicely. Sew them together and violla...a quilt done!

Good luck..keep us posted...we can add further input if it were possible for you to post some pics of these treasures..hint..hint..

granny8 03-22-2008 05:58 AM

Thank you for your input.... now i have another question..Mother also started another quilt top. There are 12 white blocks 15in that have a flower appliqued on each, 8 peddles each different fabric pieces, yellow center I am not sure if the fabric is feed sack or not. This could have been worked in the 1950 but again i am not sure. I know nothing about how to place them or what border to put with these or what to put between the blocks. how do i go about posting pictures? thanks again.....granny 8

Up North 03-22-2008 06:54 AM

My mom just showed me a quilt top that my grandmother made. It has a really wierd color of green for the main part, I would like to hand quilt it but am really stumped over what to use for backing, maybe muslin? I want to keep the old look.

Rebecca Chambley 03-23-2008 02:01 AM

(Just a Thought). If the quilt looks old, I would back it with tea stained muslin.

GiGi 03-25-2008 02:26 AM

Why not frame them and treasure them for all to see? If you must finish them, go to the thrift store and purchase vintage items of clothing. Cut them out to "match" the age of the fabric you already have. GiGi :D :D

ruthie 03-25-2008 03:56 PM

I would back with unbleached muslin. I would also add sashing in muslin to make the blocks work together. My grandmother's quilt tops were a nightmare to quilt. I should have just backed them and tied them like she would have. Hope this helps

Suz 03-27-2008 06:40 AM

From one Granny to another Granny,

If you have a quilt shop nearby, visit and ask them their opinions also. They may be able to lead you to a seasoned quilter in your community who will come along side and help you with decisions. The quilt shop should offer you several options since they will see the patches firsthand. Unfortunately, Joann's and WalMart will be unable assist you. It should be a quilt shop where most the personnel are quilters.

And then, if possible, join a guild which is an excellent resource for helps and encouragement for you to take classes and make a quilt started and completed by you. They will help you learn to quilt (putting the three layers together and stitching). This forum can be your primary guild and the physical one can be your secondary. At this site you will get immediate answers.

Quilting classes are offered by the quilt shop, the County Extension Office, and with a guild.

Does this help? Good luck.

Suzanne (Granny to 7 and #8 will arrive in June.)

Missi 03-27-2008 06:48 AM

I agree with sandpat above with adding to the blocks to make them the same size. Or, another idea is to add to them and frame them with the new fabrics and keep them different sizes. I am thinking about the sampler quilts you will see that have different sized blocks or the print panels you buy, cut apart, and sew together with additional fabric.
We need to see this when it is finished!

Moonpi 03-27-2008 08:25 AM

My advice for a beginner would be to disassemble the blocks and add to them in a neutral color until they are all the same size. Things are always easier to assemble once the width and length match the next piece.


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