Repairing old hanky butterfly quilt-- NEWBEE!
 

Hello, I am a beginner quilter. In fact, I have only completed one quilt in my life, so far. 15 years ago I made this hanky butterfly quilt for my daughter as a college graduation gift. The butterflies were machined -appliqued, and the entire quilt was machine quilted with a little featherweight. Daughter sent it back to me a few months ago with some tatters on some of the hankies. A few I think I can just carefully mend, but I will need to replace at least one of the butterflies completely! My plan is to carefully snip off the fabric from the old hankie. Then appliqué a fresh hanky/butterfly BY HAND, trying to catch only the top of the quilt. lastly, try to quilt the hankie, again only going through the top piece. My fear is I don't want to trash the lovely design on the reverse side, created originally by machine. Do you have any tips, tricks, cautions, advise, before I start this? I really appreciate your expertise! I guess I will advise her to be sure to dry clean only in the future. Photos attached... Thx again..

Beautiful quilt! I think you are on the right track in terms of repairs.

For a first quilt it is very nice. I haven't seen a butterfly hanky quilt before. I am by no means an expert but I have done quit a few appliqued quilts and I am not sure if it is possible to do what you are talking about. You will need to catch that bottom layer when you hand stitch that butterfly on in order for it to stay put. If you don't, I fear the new butterfly you add will become loose and floppy, so to speak. Having said that, you can do it with tiny stitches by hand and it won't look that bad, because the back is white already just use white thread.
Maybe someone else on here might have some other ideas for you, but in general a quilt requires to be quilted top and bottom, whether it has batting or not makes no difference because some summer quilts don't have batting, but in order for it to be firmly sewn together I would secure the bottom as well. When you go in, do add a small amount of batting to help hold it firm and not feel flat. I wish I could be of more help but you will do just fine I am sure.

I agree. It is a very pretty quilt.

I think I would attempt to leave the exiting butterfly as is and stabilize it so it don't deteriorate further...then applique a larger, darker butterfly over it. I enjoy challenges such as this...Crazy? Maybe.

That was what I was thinking also. I am repairing a quilt by appliqueing over existing pieces. I love your butterfly quilt! Beautiful quilting!

Could you just appliqué a strip of new green across the bottom?

I think your plan as stated is a sound plan. Hand applique is always done thru 1 layer as it is done before sandwiching. Maybe machine stitch the butterfly into its shape before it hits the quilt. It's beautiful!

maybe not dry clean, just tell her to soak it, agitate no more than two minutes, spin. refill tub, soak, agaitate two minutes, spin. done! the agitating is detrimental to quilts over time. this one is lovely.

Beautiful quilt, idea for repairs sound very good.

I have repaired an old quilt using the exact method you described and it worked just fine, catch a bit of the batting in your stitches. Amazing work for a first quilt. Also want to say, I am in the process of making that same butterfly from old hankies. The hankies will always wear more easily than the surrounding fabrics since they are so thin to begin with--maybe daughter needs to display only this quilt and have another one made for her to use. :)

Wow, i am so appreciative of all the advise! When you say stabilze, are you referring to something specific? Thank you!

No suggestions. Just wanted to say that is a beautiful quilt.