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Help with vintage quilt

10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago

My grandmother made a quilt about 60 years ago and my mom just found it in storage. It's charming! Embroidered fairy tale characters for the blocks and the outside of the quilt, itself, is trimmed with blue material.

It seems to be machine quilted (diagonally) with a back fabric, but still very thin overall. No padding except the two pieces of fabric. I'm guessing she was planning to finish it as a bedspread cover, eventually. It's slightly larger than 3' x 5'.

The surrounding blue material (border) edges were never finished and I'm not sure what we should do with them. It doesn't look bad....and I plan to hang it, not use it on a bed.

Mom wants to wash it in Woolite and sew the edges. I'm thinking it would be best to carefully hang it 'as is' so it's all my grandmother's work. What do you all think? Thanks in advance :)

Comments (16)

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I have been doing some reading on here and the web and most seem to agree not to use Woolite and not to agitate in a washer. I'm sure that the ones who really know will have better information. It sounds beautiful.

    Lavender Lass thanked Sherry8aNorthAL
  • 10 years ago

    Most quilts have a binding around the outside edge. I would definitely finish it somehow before washing. You could just fold the front to the back and sew it by hand to finish the outer edges.

    If it's not dirty or discolored you probably don't need to wash it. I'm not sure I would hang it, either. It may not be able to support its own weight.

    Donna

    Lavender Lass thanked msmeow
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I agree about not using Woolite. Although made for cold water, it is a very strong detergent and could harm the colors. There are soaps for quilts that are more gentle. You could actually just soak it a bit in warm water with baby shampoo and rinse, if it seems dirty. I'd finish those edges first, though.

    Another idea - If only two layers of fabric, you could always sandwich it up with another backing layer, bind it, tack it every 6" or so with invisible thread and put the hanging sleeve on that new layer. I think it would hang well with the new layer supporting the weight that way. Just my two cents.

    Lavender Lass thanked toolgranny
  • 10 years ago

    The size of the quilt is quite small for anyone other than a baby or toddler, so if you don't have a little person around, I would do as toolgranny said and finish off the quilt edges, sew a sleeve on the top and hang it where you can enjoy looking at your grandmother's work.

    Lavender Lass thanked trouzernc
  • 10 years ago

    Sure would like to see a picture LL!

    Diane

    Lavender Lass thanked powermuffin
  • 10 years ago

    It's up at mom's, but I will post a picture as soon as it's down here!

  • 10 years ago

    I agree with using a soap intended for quilts and finishing the edges. If you don't want to attach a hanging sleeve you could have it framed.

    Lavender Lass thanked grammyp
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I finally have pictures! We decided to just hang it up "as is". We used a bar with a clamp and a single hook from Amazon. It's worked very well and I know my grandmother would be so happy to see it up on the wall : )

    And a few close ups. I remember her embroidering the Cinderella panel. I kept asking her if the dress could be lavender. LOL

    And the two bottom panels are more difficult to see. Babes in the Woods

    And the Golden Goose

  • 10 years ago

    And she included Prince Charming! Such a special keepsake. Thanks for sharing!

    Lavender Lass thanked jlt37869
  • 10 years ago

    How special...love it!

    Lavender Lass thanked littlehelen_gw
  • 10 years ago

    That is wonderful! Hanging it was the right thing to do, so it could be enjoyed without a lot of handling.

    Lavender Lass thanked trouzernc
  • 10 years ago

    That is so pretty! What a joy to have it.

    Lavender Lass thanked powermuffin
  • 10 years ago

    Very special to have from your grandmother. I'm sure you will enjoy it for years.

    Lavender Lass thanked bev2009
  • 10 years ago

    That is a lovely quilt! I agree with ToolGranny and if you want to hang it, sandwich and finish the edge to help support the weight. It would also be possible to frame it instead of using a sleeve for hanging.

    Lavender Lass thanked grammyp
  • 10 years ago

    Lovely and so special to have from your grandmother!

    Lavender Lass thanked carolnv