100 Year Old Redwork
02-16-2010, 08:10 PM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay area
Posts: 1,419
I'm with Amma and Olivia's Grammy: I wouldn't wash it until it was quilted. The quilting will really stabilize this old quilt and some gentle washing after quilting will give it a beautiful antique look. good luck. Let us see it when you've quilted it.
02-16-2010, 09:10 PM
#53
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: West Jefferson, NC
Posts: 35
I layered and pinned today. Interfaced the work with a piece of muslin, then batting, then another sheet of muslin for the backing. Because it's not square, I'll have to ease some of the stitching to pull it together.
My mother's friend, Lorraine, owns this piece. It's her mother who did the work (Marie 1910). Lorraine has absolutely no expectation as to what could be done with this piece. Since she and her daughter neither sew, nor quilt, anything to preserve this would be appreciated.
The redwork deserves to be finished. I may not be the best person to do this, but I will give it the care and time it needs.
I'm also a believer that these pieces are meant to be seen, used and enjoyed. I would never put this in a drawer, but rather display on the dining room table, or back of sofa, or as a throw across foot of the bed.
The squares were machine sewn, but seams are very thin with fraying all around the edges. Next decision is how to attach a border without losing the redwork design for these blocks.
Will post some pictures later today (since it's already after midnight).
My mother's friend, Lorraine, owns this piece. It's her mother who did the work (Marie 1910). Lorraine has absolutely no expectation as to what could be done with this piece. Since she and her daughter neither sew, nor quilt, anything to preserve this would be appreciated.
The redwork deserves to be finished. I may not be the best person to do this, but I will give it the care and time it needs.
I'm also a believer that these pieces are meant to be seen, used and enjoyed. I would never put this in a drawer, but rather display on the dining room table, or back of sofa, or as a throw across foot of the bed.
The squares were machine sewn, but seams are very thin with fraying all around the edges. Next decision is how to attach a border without losing the redwork design for these blocks.
Will post some pictures later today (since it's already after midnight).
02-16-2010, 10:05 PM
#54
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Midwest City, OK
Posts: 143
Please, please do not use basting spray or any kind of glue on that antique masterpiece, as it might stain the fragile fabric and ruin it forever. Check with your local quilt shop about using Retayne to wash something that delicate in. It is a real treasure and it really, really would be such a shame to ruin it.
02-16-2010, 11:57 PM
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Federal Way, Washington
Posts: 1,460
Oh my gosh! You stumbled onto quite a treasure!
I do a lot of redwork and here is my take.
I wouldn't wash it. I would spot treat the stains. I did a wall hanging for my SIL and she washed it. Yikes! The DMC floss bled. I was very surprised, so I would assume that the thread in your redwork WILL bleed.
Let us know what you end up doing and please post more pics!
I do a lot of redwork and here is my take.
I wouldn't wash it. I would spot treat the stains. I did a wall hanging for my SIL and she washed it. Yikes! The DMC floss bled. I was very surprised, so I would assume that the thread in your redwork WILL bleed.
Let us know what you end up doing and please post more pics!
02-18-2010, 10:28 AM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Posts: 469
This is absolutely gorgeous. I don't know how to take care of it however, I do not suggest spray glue. It may damage the fabric being it is so old and the chemicals in the glue may eat the fabric.
02-18-2010, 02:14 PM
#58
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: West Jefferson, NC
Posts: 35
Finished basic quilting. What my grandmother called "picture frame"... simply 1/4" inside each seam with a crossover in the corner. Doesn't detract from the embroidery handwork. Now, for BINDING. Grandma would have made it out of muslin, pressed, pinned it in place and sewn through all layers at once. She did very little handwork and loved her old Singer. So, suggestions for BINDING?? Remember, the edges are frayed and not even.
Picture Frame Quilted
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11909[/ATTACH]
Frayed Edges
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11943[/ATTACH]
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