Thread: Quilt top found at Goodwill...need some advice

Well, as many of you are getting to know me, you know that I am a bargain hunter! So... No fabric at Goodwill yesterday, but this was taped up in a roll and placed in the tote that they put the "doggie" blankets in. I couldnt believe it. The reason.... it said it was stained. Well, there is a yellowed fold mark that I found, but it certainly was not very bad. I paid $4.00 for it.

It is machined stitched and I love the sunny color. It seems to be all stitched fairly well . There are diamonds that don't exactly match up, and not sure I want to do anything with those. The area that concerns me is the very middle, which tends to balloon out a little.
Do you think I should try to "fix" that? I can tell it was sewn in big sections, so I may be able to tackle it. I plant to have it machine quilted, so I am concerned it won't lay flat if I don't try to do something. I have not pressed it yet, or washed it. Maybe I should do that first. Sure would appreciate your wisdom and input! Thanks so much! Love all of you and the board!

quilt from Goodwill

middle part of quilt

What a great find.

Has the piecer pressed seams the way they shoul go? I looks like it from see the close up of the corner sewn in.

This is a real problem in star quilts. The only way I would know how to fix it once the top in put together is to rip our the seams back to the row of gold diamons and resew those, see if that help.

What a beautiful, sunny quilt!! I don't know much about machine quilting, but you might talk to the person who would do it for you and ask her opinion on if she can get it to lie flat in the middle. I would probably wash it first, press and then see if I could figure out to flatten out that middle a little.... :D

If you "unsew" it in the middle about half way up the diamonds you should be able to resew it by hand down to the 1/4 inch point. Sewing that last 1/4 inch is what keeps it from laying well. If you would like I could show you the center of my Giant Dahlia. It lays beautifully.

Mercy.. I need to hang out with you... You find the GOOD stuff!

i don't know, it looks like it be a lot of work and after all that work it may not come out right

I agree with KWhite.. often folks try to piece right to the edge of stars and you can't do that and have them lay flat.. also if you don't piece them in "sections" with the final seams being straight across you get an "outie bellybutton".
I too would take the stitching out of the center yellow diamonds and re-stitch. But I'd do it by hand so I'd have better control of the "poof" and where the seams end.. then if you stop short as K mentioned you can get a lovely swirl to the center of the star and get it to lie nice and flat.. you can also use a little wooden mallet to smack it into submission if necessary..lol . What a lovely find.

What a gorgeous top! I love the yellow too! I'm glad you've found some tips and tricks to get that beauty to lay flat. It's going to be stunning finished.

What a find!!! I want to come shop with you! It's so bright and cheery! I can't wait to see it when you get it all "fixed" up!!