A neighbor brought me two old crazy quilts and asked me to put on a backing. binding and a sleeve to hang them. I'm at odds here as I have repaired old quilts but never anything like these. They are approximately 60 inch squares...One is made of satins and the other has MaMa embroidered in the middle plus other fabrics-velvet, brocade, silk etc. I don't really want to do anything with them so am asking for some advice. Oh, and on the back of the blocks there are a lot of longer thread, do I cut these? These are completely hand done. Please help. I will ask her when I can get in touch with her if I can photograph them for the picture segment.

Thanks Loretta that is how I feel.

Many things lose considerable value if they are "finished" by later generations, too. Given the size of the works, the weight of those fabrics if hung would definitely make stretching a concern. Crazy quilts were not made to be hung, they were displayed flat.

What about a heavy brochade drapery fabric or something that is heavy and stiff like that, I wouldn't cut the threads anywhere on original, if they are on the front I would poke them through to the back. Did they consider having them framed rather than backing and sleeve? They might hold the shape better and you wouldn't be messing with the original piece.

Do you WANT to work on these pieces?

No Bearisgray. As a matter of fact as soon as I can reach her by phone I am going to call her and tell her I prefer not doing these and hand them back. The one is so beautiful I wish it was mine....I wouldn't do a thing with it but showcase it somehow. I still want to ask her if I can post the pictures.

I've just started a block for a crazy so was drawn to your thread. I agree about not messing with it - I wouldn't dare that's for sure! But at the same time, it's a shame NOT to display something like this. Of course it has historical value but if it were me who'd made it I'd want it to be enjoyed not stuck away in a box. I would suggest having it carefully mounted onto a frame but would think this is a specialist task... I'd LOVE it if we could see pictures. :-D

What a dilemma! I do not have the expertise to work on something like that, so my answer would be a simple - no thank you. I think you have made the right decision.

It is a wise person that knows when to leave something alone - or when to suggest a specialist.

If an item is my own, if I muck it up, oh, well. I am so much more skittery/cautious when it comes to something that belongs to someone else.

I would hesitate too on doing anything to these...I would be afraid that hanging them would make them stretch and eventually tear. People who don't sew/quilt may not understand this.

you might suggest that your neighbor contact the Latimer Textile Museum in Tillamook, Oregon for some suggestions on what should be done with these historical quilt tops. They have a vast collection of historical quilts and lots of great info.

I would check with the local historical society. They could put you in touch either with someone who actually works with such pieces or refer you to publications etc. that would address the situation. I did a lot of handquilting for a woman in our community who does custom framing and preserving. She had a quilting friend of mine very carefully hand baste small quilts or fragments of quilts or other needlework to acid free cardboard that was then carefully framed with special glass that filters light that would fade or rot textiles. The woman with the framing business has a degree in and was a musum curator.

Just so you know the person wasn't happy with me but she is going to talk to her daughter. Thanks for everyone's advice.

(((HUGS)))
Better to have her unhappy over this discussion, then what could have happened later :wink: