LindaLou Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 I need advice from some experienced quilters. A customer just left me a lone star quilt that is a mixture of old and new fabrics. She took a quilt with great sentimental value that was in tatters and carefully removed the lone star medallion from the center. The materials were not the highest quality to begin with and are greatly sun faded. There is no rotting that is visible, but all the signs say the fabrics are somewhat damaged. To stablilize the lone star, the customer quilted it onto batting (no backing), and then added setting squares and triangles and a couple of borders. When I sandwich up the quilt, the lone star portion will actually have double batting. So my question is whether it is a good idea to even stitch through any of the lone star. My first thought was to stitch in the ditch around the star then quilt all the new parts. Then she could hand quilt the inner portion of the lone star and not subject it to the stresses of an industrial machine. Or am I being too careful? Should I quilt it all! The woman has never quilted before and really came up with a clever idea to stabilize the older fabric. This is simply a quilt that needs TLC. What do you think? Linda Kahlbaugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabric007 Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 when I get really old quilts that arent in very good condtition..i use a small stipple thru out...holds everything in place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Wow--great question. You have thought it all through and already see the problems. I would maybe contact a textile conservation expert--most universities will have someone you can contact through email with questions. Or find a textile conservation website with a forum and ask your questions. If you want to quilt either SID or inside the diamonds of the old fabric, covering that area with organza before quilting is a common conservationists solution. That encases all the fabric, protects weak or worn spots, and if there is a hole, will keep the batting in place. Patty Jo did this on an old top and she saved it for the family to enjoy--maybe she will chime in here with advice. Audition several colors of organza--white, cream, tan, navy, black--to see which works best for the colors, if you want to take that route. What a fun job to see this treasure saved for a family! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaLou Posted November 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Linda, So if I understand you correctly, you'd use the longarm to stitch through the millenium? Linda Kahlbaugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 This is a friend of mine who specializes in antique quilts, maybe you could email her for advice? http://www.professionalquilter.com/weblog/meet-mary-kerr-appraiser-teacher-author Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judi Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Personally I would quilt it all to hold it together well. Good luck and please send a photo. Love to see those older fabrics!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Originally posted by LindaLou Linda, So if I understand you correctly, you'd use the longarm to stitch through the millenium? Linda Kahlbaugh Yes, if you layer the organza you can quilt over the top with your longarm. The sheer fabric will alter the colors a bit, but it is amazingly transparent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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