David, so many others have made good suggestions about fixing your quilt and I'm certain you can do it. The love from your grandmother is still in it. and it will be all the more special because you are able to do this. God bless and chin up. It is fixable and you are able.

David - you've gotten a lot of good advice here. You'll get the tear fixed, and no matter what, the quilt will still always be your treasure from Granny!

I feel your pain, David. Perhaps if none of the suggestions are successful, you could cut off the torn part and make the quilt smaller. It looks as though the tear is near the edge. I know it would break your heart to do it but it might be the only think that works.

To preserve the quilt where it is torn, I would probably use some lightweight fusible interfacing to reinforce it.
Straighten out the damaged part as much as you can to fill the empty area,add a little thin batting to fill in the empty area, doing this from the wrong side,lay a piece of fusible interfacing over it, protect your ironing board with pressing paper or typing paper and gently drop your iron on the interfacing, don't iron, just put it down one step at a time to hold the damaged area together.
With muslin or patchwork made from faded clothing, make a new area and stitch it over the damaged part and for your own sake, think of Grandma whenever you see this area. If you wish, you could put a new piece of cloth on the back where the interfacing is. Hand or machine stitch the repairs and hand quilt or tie the new fabric through all surfaces. That is how I would fix it. I have a quilt my grandmother made me in 1934 and I have to repair the top edge, we used it lovingly. Having it brings her back every time I see the quilt and yours will too.

Carol J.

too bad - I think that you could find a matching or close to the same type of fabric and construct a simular block.

I agree with red madder. Also once you have it closed as best you can with mostly basting see if replacing a patch or two might look better. Or maybe some kind of thin wonder under type reinforcement behind the repair might help. There are people who repair old quilts ask the closest quilt museum to you for recommend someone. Your grand ma's love for you is what will never change or wear out. Thats way more important than any thing else. Diane C

Hi Dave, I am a newbie, saw your problem. You have my sympathy. I was wondering about using that area to put a label with the info about who made it and when. Maybe put some batting behind it and use some muslin, tea stained to look older. Just a thought. Good luck

David this was my first inclination too. It seems like you got some wonderful options and ideas. I am so sorry this happened.

Isn't it amazing how the Lord works? Bless you David and Debbie and all the wonderful folks on this site! I 'm sooo glad I found it!

David
Do you know the name of the pattern so you can get some templates?