So I started in on mending Lucky Stars for my daughter and son-in-law mid-April, and finally am done and delivered it back to them yesterday. The project included three components:
- making and stitching (appliquéing?) 30+ fabric patches over worn areas, ranging in size from 2" x 2" finished to about 4" x 8"
- removing all 390" of the original binding, which was still securely stitched on, but worn through along the edges; and rebinding with new (thrice-prewashed) Prisma Dyes Artisan Batik in Marine
- hand-quilting over the patches
At 90" x 105", the quilt was big, and even though worn a little thin from 20 years of loving use, heavy! Sewing on the patches was the most challenging part. There were no holes per se, but some fabrics just did not wear well. Below is one of the worst examples.
Some of the patches I was able to place exactly over a previous quilt piece; some, due to the wear, needed to overlap original seam lines or placed irregularly. Shown below are several of the patches to give you an idea. Note that I had none of the original fabric on hand, but used a coordinating batik Zinfandel Bali Pop, so fabric patches did not match at all, yet retained the quilt's original 'look.'
I had heard that when repairing a vintage quilt, it was important to quilt the new patches. So even in areas like the star below, where the points weren't originally quilted, I quilted anyway.
As I mentioned, the quilt is big and heavy, so the best photo I got, it was spread on the floor of my studio, taking up most of the open floor space. This was right before I added the last few patches, so if you zoom in, you may see them pinned to the quilt. At any rate, I'm glad I was able to give this sentimental quilt some new life.
Well good for you! That was sure a labor of love! I can imagine how good you must feel about the quilt being so well-used. And you hand quilted it! Wow! I think your latest appliqué and hand quilting look like they belong there. You did a great job! It's wonderful seeing such a lovely quilt restored, for at least another two decades of loving use.
ReplyDeleteWhat a superb job on this!! I need to redo two of my mom's quilts and am so afraid to even start. I washed them and tucked them away for now.
ReplyDeleteThis gives me hope to pull them out and see what I can do.
Beautiful quilt - and what a treasure!
The quilt looks like it is ready for many more years of use and love! I had not thought about the need to quilt through the patches, but I bet that is going to help the repairs hold up over time really well.
ReplyDeleteExcellent repair! And new binding too, thank you for sharing, this is a much needed article on quilt repair. Many of us don't know where to begin a quilt repair of if it's even possible to repair a quilt. You've cleared that up with clear information and photos.
ReplyDeletePriceless, thanks again.