A co-worker of mine asked if I would mind fixing a quilt that was made by some long ago relative. His daughter always sleeps with it (so he says). It is well loved (ie: they didn't take real good care of it). And all the black fabrics have started to disintegrate. I thought sure why not. It is a log cabin pattern. I thought it would be as simple as appliquing new logs over the damaged black logs. But when I got into it, the batting was also gone behind those logs. So I had to take some quilting out to get the remaining batting out of the damaged areas. But there were two kinds of quilting. One was hand quilting done with cotton string. You read right, string. With the knots on the outside. The other quilting was machine quilting that must have been set at 25 stitch per inch. The only plus to that is that the tension was so off, that I could go on the back, pull the bobbin thread and 24" would come out. Then when I really looked at the back, I noticed that the backing was starting to wear thin in some areas showing the batting inside. What started out as a quick log applique has become a pretty big ordeal. To keep from going insane, I am just going to take out the quilting, fix the top, layer with new batting and backing and machine quilt.
I could just fix the bad logs and give it back but it wouldn't make it through another washing. At least I know it will be fixed to last for several more decades. Long ago relative's top will still look the same for the most part and I will have salvaged part of their family's heritage. But unless it's part of MY family heritage, I won't offer to do it again.
Blessings, Cathi
2 comments:
Ah, you're a good friend, Cathi!
Bless you, child. I would never never attempt to undertake that. When I worked at the shop in Summerville I couldn't believe what people would bring in and ask if someone could "fix." Nasty, dirty, mouse droppings, etc. At least that one is clean.
Can't wait to see the snowman when he's finished. They are my favorite!!
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