Thread: Repairing old quilts -- help!

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

Each problem has a different solution. There is an excellent book called "Quilt Restoration" that goes thru step by step instructions:
http://www.amazon.com/Quilt-Restorat.../dp/0939009838

Wow, didn't know there were so many books out there on the subject! i'm hoping this is one & done!

My SIL asked me to repair a quilt his grandmother had made when he was born (not crib sized). It was a lot of work but got'er done. There were a few tears and seams had come loose but the main problem, most of the machine quilting had started to come loose. I ended up hand quilting where the machine quilting was, removing the machine quilting as I went. Thank goodness it was mainly straight, not meandering! Now I try to hand quilting unless it will be an everyday, wash once a week quilt. I am afraid the machine quilting is not going to hold up like the hand quilting of yesteryear.

Originally Posted by AZ Jane

My SIL asked me to repair a quilt his grandmother had made when he was born (not crib sized). It was a lot of work but got'er done. There were a few tears and seams had come loose but the main problem, most of the machine quilting had started to come loose. I ended up hand quilting where the machine quilting was, removing the machine quilting as I went. Thank goodness it was mainly straight, not meandering! Now I try to hand quilting unless it will be an everyday, wash once a week quilt. I am afraid the machine quilting is not going to hold up like the hand quilting of yesteryear.

i considered hand quilting, but the damage is way too extensive, & my patience isn't enough for that either -- hope i can figure out a way to make this one come together!

If you have a badly worn patch or one with a hole, applique a new patch over the original. This will maintain the "original" age of the quilt if it ever gets dated in the future. I was told this by an appraiser, and have followed it on my 1870 family heirloom baby blocks quilt.