Repurposing a "Well Loved" Vintage Quilt - Looking for Ideas
09-11-2018, 10:04 AM
#1
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Location: Michigan
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Repurposing a "Well Loved" Vintage Quilt - Looking for Ideas
I have a worn, actually, thread bare in places vintage quilt made by my grandma. I'm looking for creative ideas on repurposing pieces of the quilt...Christmas stocking, frame a block, little 3D blocks in a mason jar are a few I've thought of... I made a quilt incorporating pieces of various heirloom linens, which I love, so I'm not opposed to cutting it up for various projects if I have a solid plan. Any suggestions?
09-11-2018, 10:09 AM
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
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It would help if you posted pics of the quilt or at least the usable pieces. I like the idea of framing blocks. It preserves them as well as displays them. You could also make some small items like a table topper or runner (if there's enough usable blocks), I'd just be careful of using them so they don't get damaged.
09-11-2018, 11:32 AM
#4
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Location: Michigan
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Thank you for suggesting to post a picture. It should now be part of the thread. The quilt is well used and loved which I'm sure would make my grandma smile. I have only recently decided that I have to stop using it and try to preserve pieces.
09-11-2018, 02:04 PM
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
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What a lovely quilt. I don't come from a family tradition of quilting so I have none from my family -- but my hope is that those that come after me should be taken care of. While yours has some condition issues, it isn't too far gone. Sometimes the only thing that can be done is to use it as batting for a new project...
You could simply applique either vintage or Aunt Grace fabrics over the really gone fabrics, and then reback it with new fabric and quilt it through all layers in a 1" or so grid to stabilize it all. In terms of quilt restoration (and here it is the memories that are most important) a quilt is only as old as its newest piece.
For the blades that are not completely gone but are decaying, you can carefully zig zag through the affected fabric in a similar thread color.
It pains me to say anything about cutting apart, but depending on how many grand/great-grands etc, and how many whole blocks you have, you could frame squares and give them to the rest of the family along with a note on the back about Grandma/this quilt.
Similarly, you could sacrifice a couple of the worst blocks to fix the ones that only have a blade or two that need replacing by very carefully taking some of them apart. I'd keep the quilt in the existing layers and then reset the blocks on point with fresh bubblegum pink lattice and/or hourglass blocks (like the sashing squares) around the border to keep it a bed size.
It's sad to face and I think part of the beauty of a quilt is that they do break down over time if you are going to use them and enjoy them -- but in my design philosophy that's what I make them for is to be used.
You could simply applique either vintage or Aunt Grace fabrics over the really gone fabrics, and then reback it with new fabric and quilt it through all layers in a 1" or so grid to stabilize it all. In terms of quilt restoration (and here it is the memories that are most important) a quilt is only as old as its newest piece.
For the blades that are not completely gone but are decaying, you can carefully zig zag through the affected fabric in a similar thread color.
It pains me to say anything about cutting apart, but depending on how many grand/great-grands etc, and how many whole blocks you have, you could frame squares and give them to the rest of the family along with a note on the back about Grandma/this quilt.
Similarly, you could sacrifice a couple of the worst blocks to fix the ones that only have a blade or two that need replacing by very carefully taking some of them apart. I'd keep the quilt in the existing layers and then reset the blocks on point with fresh bubblegum pink lattice and/or hourglass blocks (like the sashing squares) around the border to keep it a bed size.
It's sad to face and I think part of the beauty of a quilt is that they do break down over time if you are going to use them and enjoy them -- but in my design philosophy that's what I make them for is to be used.
09-12-2018, 04:05 AM
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yorkville, IL
Posts: 7,639
I have a quilt made by my grandmother, her mother and her sisters. It is in pretty bad shape but I still keep it. A few years ago I was really sick and I had surgery. When I got home I got that quilt out and used it. It was so comforting to me and was just what I needed...comfort from my mom. It is put away now but will be there for me if I need it again.
09-12-2018, 05:02 AM
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,963
That's such a hard choice. I hate to see them cut up but I understand why. I have seen some stuffed teddy bears made out of older quilts.But if the fabric won't hold up, that is not an option. I love the idea of appliqueing fabric over the ones that are decaying. I have also seen blocks framed. Maybe a few blocks could be sacrificed for fabric and a whole block could be framed. You may have kids or cousins that would appreciate a grandmother's block.
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