Can I hand-applique on top of an old comforter?
 

We have a 15-year-old white comforter that has a few small discolorations on it. Not terrible, but just bad enough to make it look worn and not nice. I was wondering whether there was any reason I shouldn't try hand-appliqueing on top of this. I'm assuming I could applique the pieces onto the top layer of the comforter without going all the way through to the other side. (I've never appliqued before, so please forgive my ignorance.)

I consider you all the experts. :) Is there a reason I shouldn't do this? I thought I might do a field of flowers going all the way around all four sides of the quilt. Maybe with a sun in the middle, shining down on all sides.

Yes, you may. You have my permission. :thumbup:

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You could, but I think it would be difficult to make stitches that would hold down the applique and not get caught up in the batting. Is it possible that a paint stick would cover up the spots? Or that they could be bleached out?

You probably can but in the end it'll still be a 15 year old comforter. Why not make it a whole duvet cover?

I would if the comforter is in otherwise good condition. Good way to practice and learn applique!

I Once heard-probably apocryphal--that this was the origin of patchwork. I did it once to repair a border on an old quilt, but the quilt was on the bed when the oil furnace blew up and the smell would never come out.

Jenel....now this is just my opinion...first if youve never appliqued before why would you want to start with a project thats going to be so awkward for you?......applique is very time consuming if you do it by hand.....if you machine applique this might work out for you but.....why would you want to do this to a comforter thats 15 yrs old?
If anything why dont you cut it up into sections and maybe make a small quilt/comforter top for a crib maybe or just to practice learning to do applique do some small/mini quilts with it until you become comfortable with applique...again this is just my opinion......I hope I didnt offend you in anyway....but applique can be so much fun but when you get into something large its tricky.....Good luck with whatever you choose to do......Trish

I love to hand applique, and I think this would be a perfect way to bring new life to an old comforter. You can do anything you want with a completely white ground. Just be sure your stitches don't go all the way through to the back side of the comforter, and you should be fine. Post a picture to show us your creation when you finish!