Damaged old quilt has two pieced tops
 

I have an old quilt that came from my grandmother's house. I estimate the quilt was made before the 1940's, maybe way before. The quilt was damaged by mice who chewed holes in the middle of it but the rest of it is still nice. Looking at the damaged parts I can see that there are two pieced tops on it, one under the other. I asked a quilting teacher what I should do and she said to remove the top pieced quilt and then work on repairing the one underneath. I haven't done anything since I thought the one underneath might be in poor condition or why would anyone cover it?

What do you think you would do?

I agree with you on the part that the other quilt top is damaged. If you really want to, you could take the first top off and repair the one underneath it, but I would probably just repair the one on top.

I think it was fairly common to put a new quilt top on top of one that was worn out. That way the batting was re-used, and the new quilt was really warm. I wonder if the backing was also covered over?

Maybe it would be worthwhile to take the quilt to a quilt museum and ask what they think. The quilt underneath might be much more interesting than the original (or not). Oooohhh, now I'm thinking of Rembrandts being painted over... (probably not the same thing).

I would remove the 1st top, and check out the 2ed top. Check the age of both maybe mix pieces of both tops to make one?

What a great thing to have!! I would not be happy until I see what was underneath!! I am as curious as the mice!! Enjoy

Curiosity would lead me to see the quilt underneath, and while it is likely old and possibly faded, you could still have two vintage quilt tops that could be repaired and treasured.

oh, gosh yes! I would have to know what the underneath one was. Maybe the quilter just thought it was ugly, or was tired of it. Maybe she just didn't feel like scrounging new batting . . . you never know!

what a project, though . . . ;0)