HELP trying to repair quilts with large cigarette burns...
 

My aunt has numerous quilts she has accidentally burned holes all the way through because she frequently falls asleep while smoking.

She has asked me to repair them as I'm the quilter in the family, but I am looking for any tips to help!!


I assume I'll probably need to trim the burnt parts off, but beyond that, HELP!!

If they are patchwork, cut similar patches to sew on over the burned parts. Patch the back as well. And PLEASE tell her not to smoke in bed OMG that is so dangerous!!!

Maybe make her one with ironing board cover fabric on it, LOL!!

Yikes! She's lucky she didn't set the bed on fire!

Could you add appliques, to the burnt spots (front)? Can't think of any way to fix the back/batting, except for patches.

Since they're probably going to be damaged again, I would just cut off the singed areas, stuff some new batting into the hole, and sew on some patches with like fabric.

My husband was always dozing off in his recliner, sometimes with a cigarette in his hand, sometimes with a bottle of beer. He never spilled a drop, but did put some burns in the fabric.

Hope auntie changes her habits. In the meantime, appliquing a small design element would probably be a good solution.

I'm going with the applique idea. Scatter a few on the quilt to make it all tie together. Idea..fabric that could be ''fussy cut. First machine or hand sew around the outline of the "patch applique on the front. Put same or similar fabric over the outline on the back. Baste, and z z closely around the applique on one side and it will be copying on the backing. Then carefully trim the edges on each side. I did this to put a satin whale applique on a bath mat (the toweling kind), and it turned out perfectly. I have a mat that is reversible with the same design on each side. I wouldn't worry about the batting---unless you are talking LARGE holes!

Wow, thank God she has not burned her house down! I like the applique idea too.

Okay, I am going to be the dissenter. I wouldn't touch them unless she has quit smoking. Then I agree with MattiMae, just put a patch on the back, lay in batting and put a same size patch on the front.

That was my first thought, unless she has quit I wouldn't bother. Otherwise appliqueing a patch over it and filling it with a bit of batting is about the only way to repair it.

I would applique a "No Smoking " symbol over the holes.

I have no ideas other than patches.

She doesn't have to quit smoking. Just tell her not to smoke in bed or go outside to smoke. Tell her if they get burned again she could take them to a cleaners and see if they do repairs. We have Asian women around here that do alterations and repairs, etc.

Brilliant!

Jingle, you're right - the aunt doesn't have to quit smoking, but neither does the niece have to give up her precious time to repair the quilts if it's just going to happen again. I remember being quite busy as a young mom of 3. In fact, I'm still busy as an old mom of five.

Don't use polyester batting.
Fuse patches over the holes.
Shoot the smoker. (kidding!!!;))

Jan in VA

I have nothing new to add, other than I would be heartbroken if it was a quilt I had made.

love this one!!!

Applique definitely

I can see fixing ONE. But several? Let her buy some blankets at WalMart or you'll have a bottomless pit on your hands.

I am still right, if she only smokes outside she won't burn holes in quilts or anything else. I am a Mom to three and all are grown. I wouldn't repair anyone elses quilts or anything else. I am a quilter and that is all I do. There are others that can do repairs.

Just have to put my three cents in here. How come everyone can assassinate a smoker but no one says anything to someone who drinks too much or eats way too much and is fat? That can kill you, too. I always wondered why everyone picks on smokers only. I can't stand drunks and very obese people. Does that mean that I can make fun of them? Kind of like you all are making fun of this woman and her addiction? What about the drug addicts? Can I make fun of them? Laugh at them?

I stopped smoking in bed years ago. Never fell asleep with one but did have some 'pops'. When we moved to our house now we both decided not to smoke in the house. I have yet to do so.Sometimes it gets Very cold and I REALLY think if I want one. Cuts down on it LOL You are very nice to do this for her. I wouldn't ask my daughter to do this even if she was a quilter.I would do it myself. BTW if she can smoke she can put applique patches on. Why not prepare some and show her how to do it and let her do it herself? I am assuming she isn't blind when I suggest that.

I don't think that is an accurate statement -

Jay Leno has been making fun of overweight/fat people (or the habits that contribute to overweight) for a long time now.
There have been many 'jokes' about drunk people over the years.
I don't recall hearing any 'jokes' about drug addicts or smokers.

The over-all impression I had gotten from the posts was of concern that she was falling asleep in bed with a cigarette in her hand.

As far as repairing the damage - I would want to see what's involved before committing to do anything about it.

I think I would be tempted to just put Fray-Check around all the charred edges and let it go at that!

First of all, you are making generalizations. Not everyone here is making fun of this woman and her addiction (which, may I point out, she CHOSE). Second of all, in MY opinion, people can do whatever the hell they want to themselves until their problem becomes my problem. Then they have to take responsibility for fixing the damage they've caused. In this case, her problem of smoking in bed becomes my problem of fixing the quilt, if I chose to do so. If she was an obese person who kept getting Cheetos stains on the quilt, my answer would be the same.

When someone eats too much, it doesn't effect my breathing. When someone drinks too much, it doesn't effect my breathing. Second hand smoke is just as bad as smoking yourself. This being said, if you want to kill yourself, go right ahead. Have you seen patients in the hospital who gasp for every breath of air. It is so sad.

Bwahahaha! That's the best suggestion ever! :)

Whoa, we are off topic here. I don't care if the aunt smokes - that's her problem. My concern was expecting the young mother to repair the quilts if the smoking was still occurring.

I apologize for any hard feelings here.

QuilterMomof3, ignore the negativity generated and do what feels right to you.

I still think she should see what the situation is before committing to doing anything.

One thing I've learned over the years is to say something like "Let me think about that" or "let me get an idea of what's involved before I commit to anything"

But if she's already committed - maybe post some pictures or scans so we have a better idea of what's involved - a small singe or two inch holes?

I wasn't going to comment on this but I felt that I had too at this point...Yes smokers release second hand smoke but as far as it affecting your breathing, unless it is in your home, you have the choice to move out of harms way...as far as alcohol goes sometimes you don't have that choice, how would you know if someone is drinking and driving..you wouldn't so you can't make a choice to get out of the way...and as far as health goes anyone with end stage liver disease because of alcohol suffer just as much if not more than smokers with lung problems...but as many on this board have said it is their choice.....
As far as the quilts go, please fix them for her, she is family and you take care and help family no matter what their vices...

LOL, that is a great idea, people should never smoke in bed. She has been lucky she hasn't burned herself up!!!! I would tell her when you quit smoking I'll fix the quilts!!!

IMHO repair the quilt this time and if it happens again repair them again if you want too. It shouldn't matter if it is holes from smoking or stains or anything else as to whether you repair them. Just do it because you Love her if you have the time. Not every one can sew or knows where to get stuff repaired. Try to use fabric that matches and patch the front bad back. Apparently these are quilts that are used a lot not just to look at.

If it was me and it's a special aunt, repair the holes, beg her to smoke outside or to at least stand up when she smokes. And buy her a smoke detector.

Smoking is an addiction just like alcohol and overeating. Until they are ready to change they won't and you will just get frustrated.

It's true - the original question is/was - "how to fix the holes"?

(I dislike doing repairs - especially for things that I think could/should have been avoided - so that bias does show in my answers)

But then, most accidents could have/should have been avoided.

I've been where you are...because I quilt others think I have nothing more to do than help them 'repair' a quilt. Sigh. What I would do in your place, is refill that hole with pieces of batting that can take the heat (what pot holders are filled with), then I'd use small scraps of material and hand patch the holes to as close to the original fabric as I can get. Remember, those places where the burn marks are, will burn again eventually in the same spot due to her falling asleep.

All I can say is wow, at the comments. And yes, the question was "how" to repair. I was very interested in the answers as I have some older quilts that are in need of repairs. The extra commentary about the Aunt did not seem necessary.

Haha...this has got to be my fave!!

Thank you for this.
I posted this thread while exhausted & didn't realize until today that I put the part about smoking in bed...

She really is NOT a seamstress or quilter. She patched some of the holes with Patch Attach...made them into HARD squares over the holes, and they started coming off...

Bearisgray, she posted that because one woman had "jokingly" said to "Shoot the smoker."

According to my grandma, these are all her quilts and my aunt has burned so many she has lost count...