Need advice on how to quilt a vintage top
03-29-2011, 04:12 AM
#21
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 502
I would use the longer stitch, the 1/4", and hand quilt around the center red square and then along one side of the seams that were sewn to hold the larger squares together. Feed sacks were colorful and the backing fabric just what the top needs. When that was made, the woman used what was on hand so it is bright and cheerful. A real smiley quilt top.
Carol J.
Carol J.
03-29-2011, 04:37 AM
#22
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 41
I just saw your message on quilting board........I would love to know what pattern the quilt is you are working with.....Last night at work I had a patients daughter to bring me some material and she had 10 pieces of feedsack fabric in it and I want to make a quilt out of it and don't know what to make for one thing i'm new to quilting............I have six different colors of it
03-29-2011, 04:46 AM
#23
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Illinois
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Oooh, love the extra piece of fabric for a border. Perfect for this quilt.I wonder if the one who pieced this intended it to be used on a day bed. They were somewhat popular in that time period and would require more length than width. While I like a patterned fabric for a quilt that will be used as a cover, many quilters of that time period used muslin for backing. If I had to choose, I'd use that accompanying fabric for a border and put muslin on the back. What a wonderful find! My vote--hand quilting and I liked the suggestion to go around the center square and then outline the block itself.
03-29-2011, 04:47 AM
#24
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Location: Liberty Hill - Central TEXAS Hill Country
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Originally Posted by Happy Treadler
Got another idea. Instead of making pillow shams, I think I may do small wall-hangings/table toppers to give to my SIL's sister & dad. That way everyone gets a piece of Grandma's quilt. :)
I agree about removing some to make it more it "square", the SIL might even prefer it smaller, made into a sofa throw or wall hanging. (Maybe ck. w/her) Your idea of sharing some of the 'fabric' w/the others in something small is so considerate.
To make it more authentic I would definitely hand quilt, a 1/4" from the seams (there weren't any quilting machines in the era of this fabric or construction of the quilt).
A border of blue to complement some of the blue in the blocks would be nice, or even a red like the center blocks would give it some bang.
We'll all be anxious to see your final results - anything you decide will be good.
Have a blessed day :lol:
03-29-2011, 04:49 AM
#25
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Location: Liberty Hill - Central TEXAS Hill Country
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Originally Posted by Happy Treadler
I almost forgot something!!! OK, I'm sure you'll say "how could she forget THAT", but I was so excited about the quilt that I forgot I set aside another piece of fabric that they found with it. There must be nearly 4 yards of it. I'm thinking now that maybe SIL's gram had plans for it in this quilt. Maybe this could be my border. Not sure if it's from the same time period, but I'm thinking it is. In fact, maybe I could stretch it enough to do a small border and also use it as a backing & binding. Certainly the right colors and same texture!
03-29-2011, 04:50 AM
#26
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: texas hill country
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For another thought....read a article on old quilt tops a while ago and their suggestion was to NOT quilt it, but rather but a back on it, no batting, and bind and hand tie it. The reasoning was that you would have less weight and less tension on the threads that way. I did that with a couple of quilts, using flannel as the backing and it worked well.
03-29-2011, 04:56 AM
#27
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Liberty Hill - Central TEXAS Hill Country
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Originally Posted by lydia coffman
For another thought....read a article on old quilt tops a while ago and their suggestion was to NOT quilt it, but rather but a back on it, no batting, and bind and hand tie it. The reasoning was that you would have less weight and less tension on the threads that way. I did that with a couple of quilts, using flannel as the backing and it worked well.
03-29-2011, 04:59 AM
#28
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sulphur Springs, Tx.
Posts: 878
I would hand quilt it as that is how it would have been done had the grandmother finished it. You can quilt it 1/4 " from seams, or to cut down on the quilting, stitch in the ditch by the piece.
03-29-2011, 05:32 AM
#29
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: west central Illinois
Posts: 1,048
Originally Posted by erstan947
I had 3 from my Grandmother and I hand quilted them. My mom and grandmother always quilted ¼ inch out from the seam. So that is what I did. I have also seen some machine quilt these old tops and they look very nice. Be sure to show us your progress:)
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