Working with Antique Quilt Tops

They have arrived...incredible beautiful hand stitched quilt tops...with lots and lots of little pieces.

What do you do when you need to turn them into real heirloom treasures?

• If they are dirty, you must quilt them dirty...I even got sick from one that I had to quilt unwashed.

• Baste measured strips of muslin to the edges that are curved or have irregular edges that follow the block piecing lines like the Grandmother's Flower Garden shown. Then pin the strips to the leaders.
• Repair all the areas where the stitches have given way.
• Gently press or steam the folds.
• Consider the puckers. Choose designs that are forgiving enough that you can gather up some of the extra fabric in some areas.
• Pick batting that may be a bit more flat like Quilters Dream Cotton select and Warm and Natural for a look that is more like the usual finish of completed quilts of their era.
• Use natural looking threads of cotton.
• If you think the fabric has been washed then wash the backing so it all shrinks the same.

• Consider putting information about the quilt, quilters family and other history on a label.

And above all hug them!

happy quilting

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