Would you remake this?
 

I made this quilt 39 years ago, when I was pregnant with our first child and decided "never again"! Well, I am quilting again but now I know better about the correct way to make a quilt.

This one is showing it's age, and my quilting technique could definitely be improved. Here are the problems:
The waxed hand quilting thread is disintegrating in spots.
I didn't know to bury the knots, so the muslin/sheeting back isn't pretty.
The batting has bearded to the point that it feels like there is little left in spots.
It was made from skillet cloth/ kettlecloth/ weavers cloth which was quite popular in the 70s and nearly all was leftover from clothing I had made for myself. So it is a cotton/poly blend.
There is some red bleeding into the white, but not too bad.
I used Wrights bias tape for the binding and it is coming off in lots of places.

So my question is - would you take out the quilting and redo with new batting and quilting? Or just fix the places where the thread is coming out?
I love to look at those old fabrics and remember what outfits I used that fabric in... but I probably would not "use" the quilt as it fits a full size bed and we don't own one anymore.

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The Quilt is beautiful! I would re-hand stitch where it's come apart, and if the binding is ripped or falling apart, I would replace it with fabric cut on the bias, but the same color. I would not take it apart and replace batting, as that would take away the special-ness of the age of the quilt. It really is very pretty!

I would not redo it more than to fix the places where it might be coming apart, especially since you will not be ising it. Just appreciate how far you have come since you did this one.

it's pretty, but I'd keep it as is for it's sentimental value. no, i wouldn't remake it

It's a beautiful quilt! You did a good job. If it was my quilt, I would just repair the spots where the thread is wearing out and not mess with anything else. Just having a quilt that you made so long ago is a real thrill. I'd just enjoy it for what it is, and pet it once in awhile!

Dina

I think , if this was mine, I would fix the top where needed...add a new back of muslin (not taking off the old one) tie the new one on and rebind. The new backing will help support the back and the new binding will keep it all together. Where you tie is totally up to you, but in the middle of the flowers would be a good spot.

I would fix/repair the areas that need it. I wouldn't remake it. It's too precious to do that to!!

I would not redo it. I would just make repairs to the places where they are need and continue to enjoy the memories of days past sewn into this quilt.

I agree with the others, just repair as needed to keep it from any future damage. We are so hard on ourselves; your first attempt at quilting turned out far better than a lot of peoples did; just ask them. LOL. Seriously, keep it and rejoice in the fact you tackled it so long ago and still have it today.

I agree with the others--I would not redo--I'd just fix it.

And I have say something--when I read how bad it was I was expecting something else...when I saw the pictures...I said, "WOW! It's really pretty!" I wasn't expecting such beauty from your description.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I appreciate your responses. It did turn out ok, I guess I just wish it was "heirloom" quality! LOL

I quilted this on a long frame rack while watching the 1976 Winter Olympics on television.
I don't remember constructing the top at all, I know it was cut with cardboard templates and scissors and machine pieced. The piecing is holding up well, it is the hand quilting which is falling apart. I wonder why the thread is going bad? Any ideas/ opinions?

I agree with the other. Repair it in the spots and just redo the binding.

I have a jacket that was made from an old quilt. Do you know someone who sews clothing? Maybe they could make you a jacket. The jacket has no buttons, but a collar and pockets. I've loved that for a long time. I've looked for a replacement and can't find anyone who does that.

I agree with the others. I would certainly display it. You could probably still use it but gently. Refold and put it on the foot of your bed or a guest bed or sofa.

Fix it. It is pretty.

I agree that it's beautiful, much nicer than your description led me to believe. I'd also just fix what's coming apart and use it gently. Since it doesn't fit on your bed anyway, it's more of a decorative piece now.

I'm in with everyone else. Just fix the parts that are broken and coming apart and put on a new binding. I'd, also, suggest you put a label on the back with the full story of the quilt, your name and the year you did it. That will mean so much to someone who has it in the future. These older projects are "very" special to us quilters.

Someone suggested you put on a new backing. Is the backing bad? If not, I wouldn't do it.

I have no idea about your thread question. A lot of people quilt with polyester thread because it is so durable. I've heard the rumors about it cutting into the fabric but have never seen it happen. I would think using polyester, although the cottons these days are very nice.

Great job on a first quilt.

I like to look back "at what I used to do". It makes me feel good when I realize where I am and where I came from.....I would just leave your older quilt "as is". Maybe I'd do a little repair, but not if I wasn't going to use it for more than memories.

I agree that it is a beautiful quilt....and would just do the repairs as needed. The suggestion to add a new back is a great idea too. I confess that i use a poly or poly blend thread for everything except pot holders. I have seen too many all cotton threads that have dry rotted.....maybe that's what happened to your quilting stitches??
Best of luck -- this is SO worth saving.

I 'm with the others--do minor repairs, but cherish it for what it is. It is a lovely statement of your talents back then, and still pretty today. Keep it for sentimental value. Perhaps make yourself a newer version to have as well~ just a thought.

Don't redo it! It's lovely as is. If you feel you must make repairs where things have deteriorated to the point where you just can't stand it, do so gently. If you take it apart, you risk tears and rips that will be beyond repair. froggyintexas

It is an awesome quilt with so many wonderful memories. I would just fix it as is & enjoy looking at your first project. You actually done a great job on it for your first try. I would be proud of it & show it off as much as possible.

i would try to repair what's coming apart...

This is a treasure! I recently came across my first quilt, it was a log cabin. It had experienced a lot of years of use, the binding was worn in places, the fabrics had faded from the sun and a few of the logs were "crumbling". I just cut the old binding off with my rotary cutter and replaced it with fresh new binding, replaced the crumbling logs with new ones. I couldn't do any thing about the faded fabrics...but it was so much fun, bringing an old friend back to life.