Short an Sweet

Any ideas on a way to repair clumped up batting in an old quilt?

Tartan

Antique quilts had loose cotton placed in a layer and quilted closely to keep it in place. I don’t know of anything you can do to unclump it since it is not connected like modern batt.

ptquilts

If it is badly clumped, sounds like it was tied or had minimal quilting. Could you take it apart and re-quilt the top?

Short an Sweet

The only reason I am hesitating on taking it apart is because it was made by her grandmother and I hat for her to loose all the hand stitched quilting on the quilt

kittiebug

I'm thinking your going to have to take it apart , and re-quilt it ...

juliasb

It does sound like it will need to be taken apart to fix it right. You will at least be able to save the top and make any repairs on that before putting it back together.

bearisgray

Clumping was common on some old quilts. I think it is "allowed" to leave it as it is if you want to preserve it.