My childhood quilt
 

My mom gave me back the quilt my Granny made me when I was a kid. Emmaline was in the sewing room with us tonight and got tired, so I told her my grandmother made it for me when I was a little boy and asked if she wanted to lay on it. The quilt is as soft as a cloud from being used and washed so much, and you can see that some of the hexies are rotting. I hope I can repair this quilt, but even if I did I'd be afraid to use it any more.

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Any suggestions about repair are welcome. All I know to do is appliqué over the damaged blocks.

I don't know how to repair the quilt to use it again. Someone else might. I think it may likely be a treasured keepsake. My sister received a quilt made by our great grandmother. It was tattered from age and wear, beyond use and useful restoration. My sister spent a lot of time finding similar fabrics from reproduction collections and reproduced the quilt, even hand quilting it in the same pattern. It isn't the same quilt made by my great grandmother's hands, but my sister enjoyed the journey, somewhat following in her path and her quilt will probably be used over many years like the original.

I think the child in your photo has given you the answer. Repair it as needed and let her use it up and love it. For people over 40 it's just patch, patch, patch, and so it will be with "her" quilt.

Awww how sweet! Good luck, I'm sure someone's gonna love and use it! :)

I can't help with repair suggestions, but what a treasure for you and your daughter! It is beautiful.

If it is a baby quilt size you might want to have it appraised before making a final decision. An appraiser spoke at our quilt guild and said baby quilts and doll quilts often appraise higher than full size quilts because they are rare.

I vote for repairing as needed. More importantly, let that baby use it. Not all quilts are meant to be "saved". **Don't you know your Granny is smiling from heaven right now?! :)

To repair or not repair is a real tough question. I appreciate the love and care that goes into restoration whether it to restore it to its original look or some other configuration. If you choose to restore it choose to display it rather than use it because the deterioration of areas not restored will continue to be degraded with more use. But I know that not all quilts can or should be restored. Some just need to be thrown away. It is a personal matter for sure. The quilts I make are meant to be used, used up and are not intended to be enshrined. I think modern reproduction is a fun idea because it preserves the past and embraces the present.

I would try to find a "faded" coordinating or matching fabric and applique over the tattered pieces. Taking it apart to resew just sounds like trouble to me. No matter what you decide, I think you just received the most precious memory you could possible get with this sweet child wrapped in love. The photo alone is a keeper

What a sweet story and child...she knows comfort!

I too think this quilt should be used by your daughter albeit tenderly. What I mean by that is let her lay on it or under it in her room or in the house but don't let it be dragged around. It would even be a great lesson for her in caring for old family objects. Yes, your granny would love this idea I think. It appears from the photo that those hexagons in the sort of purple color are the only ones falling apart? If so, I would try to find some fabric in that color family (maybe repro fabric?) and applique new hexagons right on top of the old. I did this for a friend many years ago. I found a pale yellow that matched the worn patches very closely. It turned out quite well although they did not use the quilt anymore but just folded up up at the end of their bed. Good luck with whatever you decide. Afterall, it is your quilt to do with as you please.

What a sweet picture ....and a beautiful quilt!!

Dina

I would look for close matching fabrics and applique a large hex over the the damages hexes.

I totally agree with KLO and some of the others -- applique and let the child use it gently and respectfully.
It's a darling quilt (and baby too, of course!).

Sweet picture! If that quilt were mine, I'd probably let her use it if supervised. I'd make a similar one to have and use as well. jmho~

i've made a few hexie quilts, 3/4" and 1". if I were you, I'd applique over the worn patches. It does look so warm and comfy. Good luck. What a wonderful keepsake.

I was thinking applique over the worn spots as well. Whether you found matching fabric or just appliqued flowers or puppies in those areas

Okay, this picture totally chokes me up. That is the most precious sight to behold.You've got to make copies of that photo and save that (plus give her one eventually with the explanation of the quilt on the back). For her to be literally wrapped in the quilt made by her great-great grandmother's hands must be an indescribable joy to you. And to be asleep in the same quilt that her grandfather once slept in? How many children can say THAT? I say repair it by making more hexies of similar pattern, but let her use it. I don't know HOW to repair a quilt, but if I could have one wish as a quilter, it would be that my quilts would be used and loved by my great great grandchildren! Not preserved in tissue or on a wall, but repaired so as to keep its integrity as much as possible.

What a beautiful treasure. I would find a special spot to store and showcase it.

You have spoken my sentiments exactly. Enjoy, and what an awesome gift!

If it's going to be used and treasured ... like the child in the picture is doing ... I'd applique over the worse spots using something very light coloured or faded looking and use the quilt up. Think that's why it was made for you in the first place.

Very pretty quilt and I am so glad it is still providing comfort!

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*** Fix it, Love it, Use it.
***
*** That is what she made it for you for.
***

As I see it, you have two options. You can applique over the deseintegrated pieces or apply wedding tulle to cover the worn places. I have repaired several for friends with the tulle, and you can hardly see the repairs when the quilt is on the bed. Take your choice.

What an absolute treasure. My mother quilted, but she made utilitarian quilts, using blankets for batting, and since I was the youngest of 7, none of them survived, although I do have set of pillowcases that she embroidered, which I treasure. Just looking t the picture of the quilt it seems to be in decent shape, so I would just applique over the damaged blocks to maintain the quilt. Your daughter seems to appreciate what the quilt was made for, to cuddle under for wonderful dreams.

There is a third option.

True Confession Time: My sister has a quilt that our mother gave her to help set up housekeeping. It was relatively new at gifting but none of us know its provenance. She has used this quilt every winter as a blanket underneath her bed's comforter or spread for 48 years. She asked me to repair the two places that needed it. She wanted to keep using it because it was "just right" and Mother gave it to her.

I took the quilt and found not two but thirteen places in need of repair and two or three places that soon would. She had told me that if I couldn't fix it, it was OK but to do what I could. I am not a happy camper with handwork. Since, though there was a sentimental component, this quilt was primarily utilitarian, I went to my sewing machine and repaired/patched away. I did try to make the patches work with the quilt and nothing was slap dash. I did take the liberty of using a Maysie print in some places since that is what her grandkids call her. My sister was thrilled. And the quilt has spent the winter doing it's regular warming job.

I think I would applique over the blocks that need repaired and if the baby likes it, your grandmother would be proud to know her work still brings comfort.

happy quilts
 

The quilt looks so HAPPY!!!

When my daughter was little, it became clear we could not keep all her artwork. So, I took a lot of photos with her and the artwork, and eventually threw the artwork away.
I suggest letting it be used, take photos, and have memories that surface whenever the photo is seen.

How sweet. Glad you still have the quilt.