Restoring a Old ( maybe Antique) quilt..Help
 

I haven't posted in awhile, been very busy with many different projects and school. I am in need of some hlep, I was at my local Habit for Humanity and came across this quilt that was being sold for 3.50 as a plant blanket. I could see that the blocks where advance and hand stitching, even though I didn't know what kind of blocks they where. I say a few pieces of fabric where the stitching had come apart and took a chance that the whole quilt was beyond repair and bought it. Lucky for me it is mostly the very center of what appears to be a log cabinish blocks that are in need of the most repair. Can anyone suggest HOW to do this without destroying the quilt?
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Is it just that seams have come apart, or is the fabric ripped?

If it's just the seams you could probably ladder-stitch the blocks back together by hand. If the fabric is ripped and shredding from age, I'm not sure what you could do other than possibly try applique to cover, but depending on how delicate the rest of the fabric is that might not really work very well.

Some of the seams have just come apart, others look like they started out that way but someone washed it with exposed edges of the fabric, which is now frayed. I am not sure how old the quilt is, I can tell that it was all done by hand. I hope I can save it. It is such a beautiful piece.

suggest you Google "Quilt Restoration" There should be a lot of information there. There was a book published several years ago about quilt restoration. I only remember the first name of the author - Camille ?? Last time I checked on ebay and Amazon it was selling for many $$ but perhaps one is available from your local library. I am in Lakeland Fl this week (finish at the convention tomorrow) Wish we had known and you were coming down and could bring the quilt to look at. Looking at the picture it appears to me to be fabrics later than the 1930's My opinion is that it might be old but not necessarily in a valuable dollar antique quilt. The fabrics, accordong to the designs, might be feed sacks. Another thought is to inquire if there is a state quilting organization to see if there is a quilt documentation day scheduled. At these events there will be knowledgable people who know fabrics and can date the quilt. You might also check the web site for the American Quilting Association for appriasers in the area. There are also lists of quilt restorers and prbably for a small fee can give you some guidance.