Quilt repair ???

[darci]

My great grandmother has long since passed away but my mother had found a quilt that she made and has it put back for me.

I havent seen it yet but mom said its in need of repair. Any sugestions on companies or someone that does repair?

[corgimom]

Cindy,

a lot would depend on the state of the quilt - do you know exactly how old it is ?- Obviously it is quite old if it was your great grandmothers. Was it a quilt your grandmother actually used herself, or did some of the fabric sort of fall apart from it being old(some fabrics do this) Was it made of 100% cotton or some other type of material such as polyester or wool? Do you know if it is just squares sewn together or a more complicated pattern?

Is the binding frayed? Or are there actual holes in the fabric itself?

Or is it just coming apart at seams where the blocks are joined together?

I know, lots of questions.

What I would do is contact a few quilt shops in your town first and tell them your situation and see if there is anyone there or if they know of anyone that could help restore the quilt, but of course, you will have to be able to tell them what needs repairing. Also, most towns have a local or county quilt guild with many members ranging from all sorts of ages and you may be able to hire someone for a price of course, to help fix it for you. Also a curator of a musuem who may be familiar with antique quilts may be able to direct you to someone.

My last resort would be a regular seamstress - I don't know if you sew, but I would prefer someone knowledgeable with quilts as mentioned above.



Good luck.

[darci]

Linda,

I havent actually seen it yet. I am picking it up in the next day or two.
Now that you mention it we do have a quilt museum in town with quilters guild that meets monthly I think I remember reading in the paper. I will check there first after I pick up the quilt.
Thanks so much for the info.

[corgimom]

I hope they can help you out Cindy; would be a lovely treasure to have from your great grandmother.

[Shelly]

If you go to a larger quilt show and contact a quilt appraisor there, they will tell you if you should have the quilt repaired, or give you the name of someone who would repair the quilt properly, as in put in a new patch of fabric that is from the same time era of the patch that had frayed, etc. or if it would be better leaving the quilt as is. You wouldn't want to ruin it's value by mixing a new fabric in a very old quilt. Would this quilt be hung on a quilt rack or used as a bedspread in an unused guest room or used normally as a quilt to be snuggled with. I really hope the answer isn't snuggled with because if the quilt is really old it should probably be handled delicately or the fabrics may shread. It's always nice to have something handed down by the prior generations. Absolutely do NOT give it to a seamstress that does not normally handle quilts. You could also call local quilt guilds and they could refer you to a specialist.

[corgimom]

Good points Shelly,


I had told Cindy, a seamstress would be my last choice, I prefer what you had said also.

I would be interested in hearing more about the quilt from cindy. It could be a plain patchwork tyed quilt made from wool or it could be an all cotton quilt with a wonderful patchwork design.

And yes, would not want to put in some new print with the old ones. Certainly never put it in the washing machine.

[darci]

Great advice thanks guys.

[CorgiMum]

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[tandemgal]

Darci,

if worst comes to worst and the quilt is not repairable and is badly damaged maybe there would be enough of it to make it into a smaller lap quilt or a couple of pillows to remember your Great Grandmother by.