Needle holes in old muslin
 

I am putting some 30+ year old blocks together that were machine quilted and taken apart. They still have the holes from the original quilting. Any suggestions to lessen the appearance of the holes. I am reluctant to start trying hit and miss due to the age of the blocks. Any help will be appreciated.

could you peice a section, serge around the edges and wash it to see if that takes care of the holes?

I was wondering too - would washing make the holes disappear - great suggestion dms on how to try and find out!

I think the washing will take care of the holes.

Wet one block, then iron to see what happens.

No matter what happens, the quilt will look better when it's completed than it did as blocks in a drawer! Have fun with it.

Washing was my first thought, too, and I like dms' suggestion. I also like cathyvv's idea and wholeheartedly second her thought that whatever happens, the quilt will look better when completed than it ever will lying in pieces in a drawer. (In other words, what have you got to lose by trying?)

try washing with a qtip or cotton ball the area where the holes are, see if it puffs up during washing or drying it.

Washing will work, but if you're in the middle of the project and don't want to wash it yet, you can also steam the snot out of it. The fibers need to absorb moisture to relax.

Or lightly "scratch with your fingernail to move those fibers back in line

thanks for the confirmation. the top is for a client and the one thing she ask me about was the holes. I am at a point that I can wash the top. Am thinking the thing to do is to soak it in the machine and let it dry. I have steamed parts of it and that seems to lessen them. will let you know what happens.