Martha Lynn Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 I have several "grandmother's" hand sewn quilt to quilt. The customer will let me do anything I want on them. How do I get them pulled tight enough to quilt w/out ripping the seams out? They are really old. Help!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zora Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Yikes...you may want to test the fabric to see if it can withstand the larger needle of our longarm if they are fragile. I don't think I would try to pull them tight, either. I would gently float the tops so that you don't pull them as you advance. If they are very fragile, I might consider backing them with interfacing, either iron on very lightweight knit type or spray baste a,lightweight pellon type to the quilt backs. I was just at a guild meeting where they were discussing these tops coming apart because the thread had deteriorated, and some of the fabrics had just fallen apart when penetrated by the longarm needle...not all of the fabrics, but each patch of a particular print. Scared me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyl Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Maybe overlay the tops with tulle. It would hold the top together and is just about invisible when done. Shirley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 As the others stated, take care and I'm sure you'll be able to see right away if the fabrics are strong enough for the high-speed stitching of the longarm. I've finished numerous quilt from the 30's and 40's without too many problems. Investigate for opened seams and either charge to repair them or have your customer do it. A guild mate who is an AQS certified judge has told us many times that not every vintage top needs (or deserves) to be finished. There were reasons the quilt was never finished in the first place! If it's too fragile, really wonky so it'll never lay flat enough to quilt nicely, or there is fabric disintegrating---sometimes it's best to fold it up and use it only for display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martha Lynn Posted March 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 I got it on the roller and tore a small seam and restitched it. But I really like the idea of sewing a light pellon on the back....like a t-shirt quilt does. Thank you so much. It has been on my machine for 3 days and I am so scared to do anything with it. She sent me EIGHT of these. Thank goodness the customer is wonderful and knows I am learning and has lots of grace. It is a spools quilt and I think I am going to echo the design and hopefully catch those seams and secure them...Do you think that will work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martha Lynn Posted March 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 Thank you...I will really check out the fabric. Thank you Linda....good advise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heirloom Quilter Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 Martha, thanks for starting this topic. I don't have any experience yet with antique quilts, but this is great information everyone has given you. It's a topic worth following for future reference. Oh, and welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchanted Quilting Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 I echo the previous suggestions. I also would add...keep your camera close by to document tears and stains. Hopefully you won't have to use them...a beauty of digital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgardog Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 I just did an antique spool top. I used a high quality backing so wasn't pulling on the top. I then did a Baptist fan allover it with arcs one inch apart to lock everything down. Came out great with minimal fullness. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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