Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Repurposing a "Well Loved" Vintage Quilt - Looking for Ideas >

Repurposing a "Well Loved" Vintage Quilt - Looking for Ideas

Repurposing a "Well Loved" Vintage Quilt - Looking for Ideas

Old 09-11-2018, 10:04 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
iCreate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 17
Default 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?
iCreate is offline  
Old 09-11-2018, 10:09 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,452
Default

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.
cashs_mom is offline  
Old 09-11-2018, 11:28 AM
  #3  
Member
Thread Starter
 
iCreate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 17
Default

[ATTACH=CONFIG]600873[/ATTACH]The quilt is 70x80. Eack block is 13.5x13.5. A few of the blocks are still in one piece, though friagile. The sashing mixed frayed vs fragile.
Attached Thumbnails image.jpeg  
iCreate is offline  
Old 09-11-2018, 11:32 AM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
iCreate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 17
Default

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.
iCreate is offline  
Old 09-11-2018, 11:35 AM
  #5  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,452
Default

Awww, what a sweet quilt. I hope you find some good uses for the good parts of it.
cashs_mom is offline  
Old 09-11-2018, 01:13 PM
  #6  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,370
Default

You could get a quilt rack and just hang it over it if you want to keep it near and pet it once in a while.
bearisgray is offline  
Old 09-11-2018, 02:04 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,022
Default

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.
Iceblossom is offline  
Old 09-12-2018, 04:05 AM
  #8  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yorkville, IL
Posts: 7,639
Default

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.
luvstoquilt is offline  
Old 09-12-2018, 05:02 AM
  #9  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,892
Default

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.
toverly is offline  
Old 09-12-2018, 05:05 AM
  #10  
Power Poster
 
SusieQOH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 15,144
Default

What a precious quilt! Ohhhh I love it.
I like the idea of displaying it on a quilt rack, or maybe a cabinet with glass. It doesn't look too far gone from the pic but I could be wrong.
SusieQOH is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bearisgray
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
65
02-01-2024 09:04 AM
Chester the bunny
Main
12
05-16-2019 09:03 PM
cathyvv
Pictures
47
06-02-2014 10:56 AM
Izaquilter
Pictures
19
09-21-2011 05:35 AM
mjorgenson
Pictures
68
04-03-2011 01:32 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter