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Speaking from experience, I would say no. 1) Life's too short to spend all the time it will require. 2) There are professional quilt restorers who collect old fabrics so that they already have a stash to help them replace worn, torn and missing fabrics. This site has a list of people who are trained to do this: http://www.quilthistory.com/resto...
3) How will this friend react if you accidentally make a mistake, or spill something on it, or a disaster destroys it while it is in your home?
2465If it was something my mother made, I would hang it on the wall, frayed parts and all. That old, it's an heirloom, and I would not cover up a Wedding ring pattern that takes so long to create.
Jo
32948I once overheard my grandmother saying to a cousin who had requested her to "repair" a quilt she made for them say that she was happy that the quilt was loved and enjoyed so much that it was worn out but it would be easier to make a new one. Pass.
7068If she wants to have it restored she totally overlooks how long it would take, just finding the right fabrics for the patches would take days. Museums might be able to give her an address for textile restoration - and maybe one of those could give her an estimate. She'll be shocked and maybe reconsider asking you to do impossible tasks in the future
And putting a sheet over it would hide her mothr's work...
145190Big job I would not attempt it. You should tell her you can not do it.
111087I wouldn't want to tackle it. It looks loike a huge job.
51302I think I would have to kindly say no thanks. It looks like the fabrics are perished so I am not sure how you could save it without extensive restoration if she wants to keep the design intact. There would be lots of hours of work in it. Much that would not really be appreciated by someone that doesn't sew.
Good luck, let us know what you do.
PS I have a posted a link on repairing a quilt after a dog has torn it apart, the other has great info on quilt restoration
13241Oh, the dilemias we face because we "can do anything."!! I'm sure your have heard the saying,"Asking a quilter to mend is like asking is like asking Picasso to paint your garage". All in good humor you might suggest this to her. Kindly explain that repairing is far more labor intensive than making a brand new quilt. Perhaps you could show her how to cut patches and hand sew them on herself and she would have the satifaction of keeping it all in the family.
by queenofhearts
05 Apr 2015
If it isn't important enough to her to do something about it herself, then it isn't important. You are an angel but you should have declined.
82277 kids all in the 30-40 year old range... then maybe one of them should take on this project! This would be a massive undertaking by the looks of the wear on it and I have redone 2 quilts in the past and they become labors of love and no one can afford the hours that go into the repairs, I once found a beautiful hand quilted wedding gift quilt that was given to a couple who had a dog that chewed 3 large holes into the quilt and I purchased it at their yard sale for only $10. Good grief the wool batting was almost $100 not to mention all the batiks it was made of, and then hand quilted also, even damaged it was worth hundreds of dollars just covering the material. I felt heart sick, and still do, for the lady who had put so much into such a beautiful gift that was not treasured. The young lady suggested to just chop the quilt up but I very carefully found matching or replacement pieces and then also enlarged it to a King size from a Double and I used the fabrics I had to replace that did not have exact matches as the material in the 2 added borders so you can not tell anything was ever changed. I can not even find 2 of the spots anymore! I still have about 1/2 the hand stitching left to complete but has been VERY labor intensive to do and as the quilt you are looking at, is not family and the friend does not sound like she even has a clue about the task she is wanting you to do then I would hope you choose not to do a job this big.
If she wants a faster, easier fix and the worn materials are just in patchwork circles as the back ground and the brown centers look OK, and if that is the case, then making just the 6 piece curve sections and and then sew them right over the top of the old removing very little, just adding them on top of the old and maybe even using a fusible to then iron and bond the new to the old layers would not be as intensive but would still be a big job but not near as big as doing a full repair. I don't think I could chop up a quilt to make it into other things. HUGE Hugs for being a soft heart and hope that you really think hard before taking on this job.
Pam
8217Wow what a job...I wouldn't cover the top with a sheet or other fabric...I, like Chris, would repair it a square at a time...but...I probably wouldn't be doing it for a friend...this is a huge undertaking...I would probably let my friend know it was just too much for me to do...there are professional quilt restorers she could find to do this...but not "on the cheap"...
313713I have re-done old quilts in the past. Just lay a piece of fabric over the bad block and quilt the pieces in place. You will not know the pieces are new.
15Would she consider...letting you make it into 8 pillow covers...one for each child and one for herself? That would be my thought in it being passed down. Good luck. k
by sllakin
04 Apr 2015
I like this idea best! As others have said, it is quite an undertaking to repair ech portion as it should be done. If you make pillows or smaller items from it, then all the kids will have a memory to keep!
780And which of her children will get this great quilt? Think that I would say as others have and say no. If this is to be done as a favour definitely no but if she is going to pay... work out a quote. Now that would be a interesting question here... Add to the cost you think and let her know and then see what is said. So many who don't sew think that such jobs are easy. You must have a great reputation as a miracle worker in your neck of the woods. Do let us know what you decide
114295Not a job I would take on. Too time consuming and hard work. Put it in the hard basket with a lot of my stuff. lol Hugs Shirley
52676Carolyn you are to kind hearted at times, you might be better off telling your friend it will be a massive job to restore her quilt to its former glory may be she can find a professional quilter willing to take the job on. As Chris said it would have to be done 1 square at a time and finding replacement fabric will be time consuming if she is willing to wait until you have the appropriate amount of time to do it properly and is willing to pay for all materials used the maybe .. Marian
45917Why is it because we sew, friends think we can perform miracles? This is a huge ask Carolyn. You deserve a hug. Sarah
253107Carolyn, have you ever heard of the word "NO". I would just say "I am sorry but this is far more than I want to take on at this time. There is far too much work involved for me ". There are a lot of things you can say to let her down gently. I know that you are Wonder Woman but do not take on anything that you are not comfortable doing. Hugs Marg
24824I do so hate to see and old quilt falling apart like this. so much time and effort was put into it, it looks like it was all hand done. I believe rather than try to recover it. I would make some stuffed bears, or some kind of animal from the best parts and put some kind of embroidered tag on it telling who and when the original quilt was done by. If it is covered up you will loose what is so memorable of the person who did it/Hugs and good luck Carolyn. People who do not sew think people who do are miracle workers. Lillian
by noah
03 Apr 2015
yes they do she said cover it i showed the best part its really wayyyyyyyy more then i care to do right now:(:(
145789Hi Carolyn,
I repaired an old quilt years ago for a colleague from work (she was Canadian). I did a lot of searching for fabrics that were close in colour and design to the original quilt and unpicked every piece that was damaged. I had to be really careful when unpicking so as not to damage the other fabrics. When I finished it, it looked as good as new. No-one could tell it had been repaired. It depends on how many squares have been damaged Carolyn, but to have it looking like it used to I'd unpick all the damaged pieces. Sorry, it means a lot of work I am sure. Make sure you get paid for your time and effort!
Personally I would repair the patches that are damaged. There are a lot of 'antique' looking fabrics around that would blend in with this quilt. Good luck with it all. Love Chris
by bevintex
03 Apr 2015
If you cover it with a sheet it loses it's charm and I do believe you can do anything too
by graceandham
03 Apr 2015
I so disagree. If the lady wants it restored to look the same as her mom's work, SHE should have that pleasure. If she wants a usable warm quilt with the history tucked safely inside, that is what you are offering. If she want memorabilia of her mom, perhaps the teddy bear or pillow idea.
234253I have an old raggedy quilt that I thought about making stuffed animals out of. The thought didn't get very far, because I folded it up and packed it away. Out of sight, out of mind. Joyce
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