Repairing old quilts
 

In 2013 my stepmother gave me two of the quilts her grandmother made. They are brick red and ugly and very warm and heavy! I'm guessing they are at least 60 years old, but I have no idea how to date them. Anyway, I've actually been sleeping under one of them (and it's so yummy!), but there are some areas that definitely need some help repair-wise.

So I'm wondering what is needed to repair these things? The batting in one area is showing larger than the palm of your hand. I keep remembering the verse in the Bible about not putting new wine into old wineskins, and translating that into not repairing old quilts with new fabric/thread, so now I"m in a real quandry.

How do you repair old quilts? Any suggestions?

One can use old garments for patches.

I would see if I could scoot a similarly colored new fabric under the existing to cover the worn area. Put a piece of tulle on top and quilt heavily. I agree with the old fabric not being able to support the new, but that is more with clothing. Here the batting and backing are providing foundation, so you should be OK.

This book I bought at Quilt Market in the mid 90's directly from the author after I watched her informative presentation. The book is called Quilt Restoration A Practical Guide by Camille Dalphond Cognac.

here is a link to an article here on the QB http://www.quiltingboard.com/resources/article-103.html