Friday, February 3, 2012

A Prim Quilt…the REST of the story!

I thought it would be helpful to me and maybe a few others to compile some of the tips I got in my comments about my “prim” quilt. My first post on the quilt is HERE !

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I still feel like I need a ‘disclaimer’ before I take credit for ruining the old quilt. It had already been washed and the cotton was lumpy and the fabric was very soiled and rotten. The cotton was falling out of the squares before I washed it. But I did wash it….and rinse it until it was clean. I would not have anything in my house unless it was clean so if I find an old one again that is in better shape but dirty, I will have to ‘count the cost’.

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So here are some of the helpful hints and tips that I appreciate so very much! It’s really been a learning process for me!

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Pam at Antique or Not  “Next time you get an antique quilt, you might want to just soak it in your bathtub with baby shampoo, then let the water out and run clean water in it to rinse it. These old quilts don't take to washing machines too well; they are much too fragile.”

I even had an anonymous comment come through that was good! Anyone want to take credit for this one?

Anonymous said... “When you find an old quilt you should never wash it until you repair the parts that need repairing. Old quilts need to be washed gently, without strain, by hand in a bathtub, not in a washing machine. I use Orvis to wash mine. They should be rinsed several times and the water should be pressed out. Never twist or spin old quilt!. You should lay the quilt flat to dry. If you do it properly, you would not have frayed fabrics and lumpy batting. Another tip—never wash a quilt top before it's quilted!”

And which comment stood out in all of the 65 that I got? This one…

the real mia said... “It's so lovely. I'm sad to think it can't be a quilt again.”

So what did I do with it?

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I put it back together. I have never made a quilt…..and most of you will say that is obvious.

I bought a new fleece blanket for $3.99 ( Vee suggested this! ) and an old white sheet at the thrift store ( and yes, I soaked it in detergent and BLEACH ) washed it and dried it with a Downy sheet. I layered it all, put some ties back into it to hold it together and stitched it around the edges.

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It is the measurements of a full size blanket so this worked great!

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Now I need to insert the truth! I did it wrong the first time and called my sweet cousin, Cindy and she told me to layer it, quilt top right side down, and sew three sides and turn it. Then I stitched the fourth side (the end) by hand! And then tied it! Thanks Cindy for helping me through that! (she’ll be surprised to find out I took it apart and did it right! heehee)

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So now it is not only a ‘prim’ quilt….it’s a ‘make do’. I worked on most of the squares to repair them by hand.  Only 3 of them are beyond help but that’s OK with me. I may work on them sometime, too and replace the fabric.

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I knew when I saw it that I wanted to keep it so now I am happy with it. Now it can go on the sofa in the lanai for me to enjoy! WHEW!!!

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I’m joining Time Travel Thursday

and Thrifty Things Friday!

and Treasure Hunt Thursday!

and Thursday’s Favorite Things!

I’m linking to Honey’s Potpourri Party,

AND Kathy’s Home and Garden party!

So now do you think I should try to make a NEW quilt? Be honest! heehee!

42 comments:

Alison said...

Phew! Quite a job, but well worth it. Your quilt looks gorgeous again.

Ali x

Elizabeth said...

It looks great! I do wash my old quilts in the washing machine, but use delicate cycle and hang them across three lines in the sun to dry.

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

Oh my, I'm tired just hearing how hard you worked on making your pretty old quilt usuable. You did a very good job. Some lady who probably is looking down from above must be so proud that you love her handiwork. Have a fun weekend my dear friend!!------ Shannon

Hillcresthome Prims said...

Your quilt is BEAUTIFUL, great job!

Vee said...

Yes, I do think that you could work on a new quilt and enjoy it because your heart is in it. I'm glad that so many tips came in. Now put thy spirit at rest for you truly rescued this quilt. It could have been tossed in the dumpster. Now that you know what to do in the future, you'll be the wiser. This is a very nice thing that you have done.

michelle said...

It turned out beautiful! Yes, I do think you should try a new quilt if you want, I think you would do very well. :)
xoxo

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh my goodness, you did a wonderful job restoring it! Way to go!

Art From The heart said...

This turned out to be a beauty.
Right way or wrong it's lovely.
Hugs, Amy Jo

Anonymous said...

if you have old hankies they would patch those spots, I have old quilts that I just lay patches over and stitched them down, if they match or blend it gives a few more miles, I think you made the right choice,

labbie1 said...

That is so pretty! I liked the original polka dot backing too. Too bad it was not usable again! I would have grabbed it for the red as well! I love red accents!

Great job! Oh and thanks for the tip on sewing the 3 sides first and turning it. I would not have thought of that!

Barbara F. said...

It turned out great, Diane. I think you definitely should make a new quilt, in shades of lavender for very sweet dreams! xo

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane...yes I do think you should go for it!
You have a passion...that is clear!

Have a great weekend.

ciao bella

Creative Carmelina

Linda @ A La Carte said...

You did a great job and I'm so glad you saved this quilt! i think you might give it a go to make a small lap quilt and see if you enjoy it. hugs, Linda

Musings from Kim K. said...

Fabulous job. I'm definitely impressed. I just love happy endings!!

Pam B said...

Diane, you did so good! I'm so proud of you. I can just see some little old lady grinning like a cat because you saved her quilt; she put so much work in it, and now so have you.

I think you should absolutely try to make a quilt. You definitely have the stick-to-it-ive-ness that you need...is that even a word? LOL

Hugs,
Pam

LANA said...

You have lots of patience to do all that, but I think the quilt looks fabulous, and you will know it was worth it every time you use it.

Della said...

Wow Diane! You brought it back to life! It looks really great :D

Hugs!

nancy huggins said...

It looks B E A U T I F U L..I knew you would do something wonderful and I am sure now you can sit back and admire to quilt you Saved :)

Curtains in My Tree said...

you did good.I have never seen that pattern. I have a good friend who quilts and she got me started but I am a hurry up & get it done kind of gal so quilting and I didn't last
red quilts are always eye catchers

Patrice said...

I'm not a quilter, but I think you did a wonderful job. We used to have a lady in the town I came from who purchased old quilts, especially damaged ones, and turned them into vests and jackets. She had quite a good little business.

Sarah said...

Love your quilt. Red and white with a touch of calico. Perfection! ~ sarah

DearHelenHartman said...

What an undertaking! I don't know about quilts but have rescued many an old tablecloth and what I do is put them in a large clear bag (like a giant sandwich baggie!)warm water and biz or borax and some oxyclean, let it lay in the sun, flipping over now and then to agitate it. Pour out the dirty water and refill, then dry outdoors, on grass if possible.

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

That turned out great! Good for you. You may be making quilts next!

The Boston Lady said...

What a beautiful resurrection! You did it justice and have given it new life. So special. Ann

JG said...

After a lot of thought and a lot of hard work it looks so nice! You must be so pleased with your accomplishment! :) Enjoy your beautiful quilt!
~Judy

Cindy said...

I'm so proud of you!! Good job!

Donna said...

Hey, you did a great job! And you SAVED it and are giving it a new life!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Wow! You didn't give up on this beauty and now look at it. Fabulous rescue!

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Dear Diane:
I don't know how you did it but you saved the quilt after it was almost
done for! It looks beautiful.
Hugs,
Susan

Marfi-topia said...

you did an amazing job!!!
it looks stunning!
thank you for dropping by and visiting me:)
have a wonderful weekend!
m

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

You did a beautiful job. Of course you should make a new quilt. I'm sure it would turn out beautifully.

Hugs
Iris

Ames said...

That quilt probably offered up a lot of warmth to someone. I am so glad you were patient and took the time to make it useful again! Bravo!~Ames ♥♥♥

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

What a beauty and I'm so happy there was a happy ending also! Thanks for all the tips. :)

The Bear's Blog said...

Hi Miss Lavender Dreams,

BEE-U-TEE-FUL. You are amazing, and what a treasure you have. Maybe it has a wonderful, old history. You never know....

Happy Weekend.

Hugs,
Prudence

Catherine Holman said...

I just got an old quilt that my husband's 101 year old grandmother made from flour sacks. It's in need of repair and I'm so glad that I read your post before washing it in the machine. I'm sure it would have fallen apart. Hopefully I can repair it and wash it in the tub.

Honey at 2805 said...

It's beautiful and I'm so happy you were able to rejuvenate it! Thank you for sharing this wonderful project at Potpourri Friday!

helen tilston said...

What a labour of love and so worth it.
Wishing you a beautiful Sunday

Helenxx

Vicki said...

That could not have turned out better! Great job.

Katherines Corner said...

Thank you for your bloggy friendship and for participating in the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop linky Party xo

Susanne said...

From what I can see your efforts to save the quilt didn't turn out so bad. Don't feel too bad about some of the comments you received about what to do and not to do. We all have to learn sometime and when we know better then we do better. I like clean stuff too, and my niece gifted me with an old quilt top of vintage material and it looked like it had been through a lot of questionable places. I stuck it in my washing machine on a delicate cycle with some Dreft and then dried it in the dryer...now of course there are those who are sighing and rolling their eyes, and my mil would probably have been one of them were she still among the living. I remember well the first time she saw me washing a quilt she gave me, "Why honey, you are washing your quilts to death" and of course the clothes dryer was NOT the way to go with the drying...only the clothes line would do....of course in my internet travels I have also learned there is a site for people seeking their STOLEN quilts. Did you know that? I didn't, till I ran across it about a year ago. Oh yes, some swiped right off the clothes line as well as from county fairs. And my girls wonder why I never enter my quilts in a fair for a ribbon! Thanks for stopping by my blog and letting me know what you did with the quilt. I enjoyed seeing it.
Susanne :)

Diann said...

Wow Girl! You really did this quilt proud! I know how much time it took to restore it and I am so happy to see you did it and it looks wonderful. You just saved and added to a beautiful little piece of history. Congrats! Thank you for joining TTF last week! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Unknown said...

Great Job! Thanks for sharing Joann