Copyright: Cow Country Fabrics and
Quilts, Donna Reamer, Owner
2005-2008
Quilts, Donna Reamer, Owner
2005-2008
Tips for Repairing Your Quilts
REPAIRING: Remember that when you repair an old quilt
you want to save as much as possible. If you can cover the
worn places, do so and leave the original fabric
underneath.
1: TOP: You can cover worn quilt pieces with similar fabric
if it is available or you can sew illusion netting (bridal veil
fabric) over the worn piece. Applique either the fabric or
the netting right over the worn area. You will need to turn
under a seam allowance on the fabric but not the netting –
just cut the netting a bit larger than the piece to be
covered. Either method prevents the original fabric from
deteriorating completely and holds what is left in place.
2: BINDING: Hand-sew new bias binding right over the old
binding, covering any loose or worn areas. Don’t try to
match a color or print. Use washed muslin. You can tea-dye
it to make it look older. Dip your muslin binding into a
solution of tea and water until it’s the color you want, dry it,
wash it and sew it on.
3: BATTING: Partial replacement: just fill in where necessary
and then stitch the fabric back. If you can get cotton or
wool batting to match what is in your quilt, so much the
better.
Full replacement: is for TIED QUILTS ONLY! Carefully clip
and remove quilt ties, wash the top if necessary, then re-
assemble the quilt using a new batting – polyester, poly-
down, poly-cotton, or wool.
The quilt can them be either re-tied or hand-quilted,
depending on condition and beauty.
DOCUMENTATION: ALWAYS put as much information as you
feel is needed on the back of the quilt. Use a separate
piece of fabric and sew (DO NOT PIN) to the back of the
quilt. Do not trust memory or information written on a
separate paper – neither of which will always travel with
the quilt.
INFORMATION: should include: name and address of the
quilt maker, date(s) made, pattern name(s), name of owner
(if different), occasion it was made for (if any), other
pertinent information PLUS any changes in ownership
and/or location that happen to the quilt.
1. TYPE: You can type all of your information (you can
type all your information (using a carbon ribbon, not self
correcting one) onto the muslin. Some people even put
muslin thru their computer printers. Set the ink by ironing
the fabric between 2 sheets of paper. Sew to the back of
the quilt.
2. CROSS-STITCH: Pertinent information can be cross-
stitched (or embroidered to the front of the quilt (if it is
appropriate to the pattern) or to a label that is sewn to the
back of the quilt.
3. FABRIC PEN: You can use these pens, available in
different colors, to write on your label and then sew it to
the back of your quilt. Never Write Directly Onto The QUILT.
“RECYCLING” QUILTS": Again common sense is the best
guide. Quilts are the “in” thing for country decorating and
they are great accents for traditional or contemporary
settings. Collectors and art museums are recognizing the
value and importance of quilts. However, only a few quilts
command a large price if sold and only a few are
historically significant.
1: DONATING: If possible, keep the quilt in the family. Give
it to children, cousins, etc. Make sure the quilt history is on
the back. If no one in the family wants it, DO NOT JUST
THROW IT AWAY OR SELL IT FOR PENNIES! Call anyone you
know who loves quilts. Local quilt guilds may have
members who are looking for quilts. As a last source for
your quilt, call your historical museum. Please understand
that most museums have limited storage facilities, some
museums do not have proper storage for textiles the size
of quilts, and most museums have all the quilts they can
handle.
2. SELLING: You can do this on your own, but do have a
good idea of what your quilt is worth. A good source for
this knowledge – and for possible buyers – again, would be
your local quilt guild.
3: NEW USES: If your quilt is beyond repair, but you still
love it, consider taking the good parts and making
something smaller – a wall hanging, a pillow, a vest, a
framed picture of a small section. It is your quilt and you
are allowed to keep it in any form as long as you wish.
Again, use common sense. Your quilt began life
surrounded and touch by many people. Let it end its life
that way too.
REPAIRING: Remember that when you repair an old quilt
you want to save as much as possible. If you can cover the
worn places, do so and leave the original fabric
underneath.
1: TOP: You can cover worn quilt pieces with similar fabric
if it is available or you can sew illusion netting (bridal veil
fabric) over the worn piece. Applique either the fabric or
the netting right over the worn area. You will need to turn
under a seam allowance on the fabric but not the netting –
just cut the netting a bit larger than the piece to be
covered. Either method prevents the original fabric from
deteriorating completely and holds what is left in place.
2: BINDING: Hand-sew new bias binding right over the old
binding, covering any loose or worn areas. Don’t try to
match a color or print. Use washed muslin. You can tea-dye
it to make it look older. Dip your muslin binding into a
solution of tea and water until it’s the color you want, dry it,
wash it and sew it on.
3: BATTING: Partial replacement: just fill in where necessary
and then stitch the fabric back. If you can get cotton or
wool batting to match what is in your quilt, so much the
better.
Full replacement: is for TIED QUILTS ONLY! Carefully clip
and remove quilt ties, wash the top if necessary, then re-
assemble the quilt using a new batting – polyester, poly-
down, poly-cotton, or wool.
The quilt can them be either re-tied or hand-quilted,
depending on condition and beauty.
DOCUMENTATION: ALWAYS put as much information as you
feel is needed on the back of the quilt. Use a separate
piece of fabric and sew (DO NOT PIN) to the back of the
quilt. Do not trust memory or information written on a
separate paper – neither of which will always travel with
the quilt.
INFORMATION: should include: name and address of the
quilt maker, date(s) made, pattern name(s), name of owner
(if different), occasion it was made for (if any), other
pertinent information PLUS any changes in ownership
and/or location that happen to the quilt.
1. TYPE: You can type all of your information (you can
type all your information (using a carbon ribbon, not self
correcting one) onto the muslin. Some people even put
muslin thru their computer printers. Set the ink by ironing
the fabric between 2 sheets of paper. Sew to the back of
the quilt.
2. CROSS-STITCH: Pertinent information can be cross-
stitched (or embroidered to the front of the quilt (if it is
appropriate to the pattern) or to a label that is sewn to the
back of the quilt.
3. FABRIC PEN: You can use these pens, available in
different colors, to write on your label and then sew it to
the back of your quilt. Never Write Directly Onto The QUILT.
“RECYCLING” QUILTS": Again common sense is the best
guide. Quilts are the “in” thing for country decorating and
they are great accents for traditional or contemporary
settings. Collectors and art museums are recognizing the
value and importance of quilts. However, only a few quilts
command a large price if sold and only a few are
historically significant.
1: DONATING: If possible, keep the quilt in the family. Give
it to children, cousins, etc. Make sure the quilt history is on
the back. If no one in the family wants it, DO NOT JUST
THROW IT AWAY OR SELL IT FOR PENNIES! Call anyone you
know who loves quilts. Local quilt guilds may have
members who are looking for quilts. As a last source for
your quilt, call your historical museum. Please understand
that most museums have limited storage facilities, some
museums do not have proper storage for textiles the size
of quilts, and most museums have all the quilts they can
handle.
2. SELLING: You can do this on your own, but do have a
good idea of what your quilt is worth. A good source for
this knowledge – and for possible buyers – again, would be
your local quilt guild.
3: NEW USES: If your quilt is beyond repair, but you still
love it, consider taking the good parts and making
something smaller – a wall hanging, a pillow, a vest, a
framed picture of a small section. It is your quilt and you
are allowed to keep it in any form as long as you wish.
Again, use common sense. Your quilt began life
surrounded and touch by many people. Let it end its life
that way too.
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