What should I do with some old, damaged quilts?

[crispini]

Hi all,
I have a question and I'm sure DU will know. I have some old quilts that my grandmother made. They're nice, but they're partly moth-eaten and could do with some freshening before they're used on a bed. I can sew, but not much more than a straight line. Also, I am not sure how mending them would look, as part of the pattern is gone and I was wondering if I could ever find matching fabric. Does anyone have any thoughts about what I should do with them? I would love to get them out and have them around the house. Are there such things as quilt menders?

Thanks! :hi:

[WolverineDG]

1. Are there any quilting guilds in the D/FW area?

I'd check for those. If you can't find them online, a quilting store should have information on that. :)

What are the patterns? I have a Texas Star, a double-wedding ring, & a Sunbonnet Sue (made with my mom's old dresses when she was a kid).

:hi:

dg

[crispini]

2. One is a Sunbonnet Sue....

the others I'll have to have a look at, I'm not sure. I'll have to look for the quilting guilds, thanks for the info! :hi:

[DollyM]

3. recycle them

We had the same thing when my 97 year old Grandmother passed away. She had several unfinished quilt tops which we took and had finished but also several quilts that were in bad shape. We didn't want to get rid of them so we took the worse ones and salvaged them to make pillows. A couple of the large pieces we framed behind a salvaged window frame. It looks lovely! I have seen some people use them to make into stuffed animals and those are cute too. Just think of ways to recycle them into other uses.

[eleny]

4. A quilted Santa

Hi crispini,

I was just checking out a blog I'd never read before - Ask Kari and Kijsa here http://kariandkijsa.blogspot.com/

There's a quilted Santa in the 12/17 entry. He's doesn't look complicated to make. He's actually pretty primitive with only his nose showing through his beard.

I've got some old, tattered quilts, too. The way I figure it, I've got a whole year to make this Santa!

[la la]

6. thank you, eleny-

that website was so much fun to read--

as to old quilts- I've bought the old cutter quilts and then don't even want to cut into them--somethin' seriously wrong with me, I'm thinkin'.

I HAVE made some things, like stuffed teddy bears and flat pillows, and used pieces for collage, etc.--but it still 'kills' me to cut into any of them!

:crazy:

by the way--you are on etsy, aren't you? Lots of ideas there, as well as goodies to buy -( don't say I said that - I guess you're expected to buy and not get ideas- but.....}( )

http:suchandsort.etsy.com

more shameless advertising! :-)

[eleny]

7. hee hee!

I belong to etsy but have never set up a store. I've purchased a few things and like them a lot. Just the other day I got some handspun novelty yarn that's so cute. The gal spun seashells and then small wads of felted wool into it. It would look great all by itself in a wooden bowl.

I'll check out your shop because... well... must.check.out.crispini's.shop!

Btw, I haven't been able to take my hand away from my heart to cut my cutter quilts. But that santa might be just the thing to get me to do it. He looks kind of beat up, like santa when he gets back to the North Pole after work. I think he's "quilt worthy".

[KatyaR]

5. Here are some ideas:

pillows
wall hangings
I've seen chairs covered with old quilt material--a wingback chair would be awesome
Take an old chair that would have a caned back and seat and upholster those areas with quilt
table cover
stuffed animals - I've seen cute pigs, sheep, cats, teddy bears, etc., made from old quilts
Take one square or design and frame it
a jacket or a vest
purse or a tote bag
table runners
placemats

You may be able to find someone at a quilt or craft store that might be able to help you make something or find someone to do it for you. Good luck--I hope you end up with some great keepsakes.