Table topper problem
 

I purchased this at an auction and did not know these black streaks were on it until i got home. It is quilted beautiful but looks to me like the black lines where the preprinted for stitching bled when washed. I washed again with color catcher but nothing changed. Could anyone recommend what I could trim this with to cover this up or should I just cut one place and bind and make a tree skirt. Someone donated this to the auction to raise money for children in our area for clothes at christmas. I did not see this on here because it was folded when I viewed before the auction. People need to not bring items like this but there is nothing I can do now about it.[ATTACH=CONFIG]500125[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]500126[/ATTACH]

Well, here is what I would do. I would make green or gold or black piping 1/2" and sew it down on all the lines that show and put a gold diamond in the middle. And your idea of a Christmas tree skirt is a good idea also. I would cut between two of the big squares and finish with covering the black lines (you could use gold shiny brick a braq also to cover the lines). Hope this helps.

I agree - I would make a strip and sew over each line. Too bad it happened but you can fix it up and no one will know.

there should be something to take that out but if not, i think a ribbon that matches as closely as possible the red background...and then go in w/ the same color thread and do a similar tight stipple on top of the ribbon. it would be subtle tonal effect that might even enhance it without detracting from it..tone-on-tone effect. Another option might be to applique 7 slender "pedals" to cover the marks w/ the same yellow square in the center. Add more petals and it could look like a pointsetta!

I agree, applique something to cover it up, by hand or machine!

You could purchase the gold or black 1/4 inch bias tape that has the adhesive on the back , and stitch it over the area.

We basically all agree that you should just put something over the lines.

they wouldn't bother me, but if they did I'd add rick rack over the top of them or make strips with my bias maker dealies and applique them on.

Be careful in covering the lines that you don't make it too thick. If you're planning on setting something in the center of it, you don't want it to wobble.

Have you tried using any Rick Rack you might have in your home??? Is the black wider that a decorative stitch you could do to cover it up?? I would take it in to a chain store and look at trim that is woven. I would avoid ribbon. Good luck.

I have decided to look for rick rack in wide and either the same color as the top or some other to contrast. I don't know what to put in the middle if anything cause I don't want something to wobble that would be placed in the middle. Thanks for all your help.

rick rack?

Yes, rick rack is what I will look for.

Great idea. That would be my suggestion. The lines might just add interest as they are.

Perhaps it looks worse to you than the picture, but IMHO I think once you set something on it, nobody will think anything about those perfectly spaced lines. I think I'd tend to let it be.......

Rather than risk making it uneven, I think I would just use a fancy stitch on my machine to stitch on top of the line and pretend I planned it that way. Where they all meet in the center, you could stitch a small star. Perhaps use gold or dark yellow thread.

I think it would make a wonderful tree skirt, but if you want a table topper, I would cover up the black lines with black bias tape, matching ribbon or decorative ribbon that went with the colors. It's too bad the person donating the quilt did not notice the black lines before donating it. If you wanted to make it into a tree skirt, I would cut it between two blocks, then add bias binding matching the background color, or any type of decorative element. There are some great ideas from QB members, choose the idea you like best.

I would just sew 3 lines of stitching with black thread (30 wt.) over the dark lines. It would look like the lines were part of the design radiating from the on point squares. A center star or square in yellow would be nice as well.

Get some heavy embroidery thread--green, red or gold--and either do a stem stitch or a back stiteh down each of those lines. That won't add bulk and will be part of the design plan. If you don't want to do it by hand, choode one of the lovely designs you have on your sewing machine and sew down each mark. It's a lovely piece and I would be glad to have it and use it just as it is. froggyintexas

the lines make it look like the red is poinsettia petals. I would use a dark green decorative stitch down each of them (maybe double if black showed a lot still) and in center use yellow thread to "pebble" a middle like a poinsettia center.

I think decorative stitching would look nice and not be too heavy in the center.