I rescued this little quilt from the vintage table at a used fabric sale this past summer. I didn’t even unfold it, just felt it needed to come home with me. The label says “Tattered Quilt”, and I thought I might be able to stabilize it and preserve the charming fabrics. Plus, at $1, it almost jumped into my hands.
However…I have since unfolded it several times, and it is beyond tattered. There is a large tear right down the center, and smaller ones along two of the other pieces of disintegrating sashing. The binding has been cut off and a new one partly sewn on. There is a large patch across a part of it and some of the original fabrics are tissue-paper thin and already torn beyond any salvageable point.
Each time I take it out, I get overwhelmed by everything that would need to be done to make it a whole quilt again as it is. I am debating whether it is worth the attempt to preserve it as it is, with the possibility that I will not be able to and thus keep it unusable, or doing the unthinkable (to me) and cutting it up to make new blocks from the parts of it that are still strong enough so it can be used and enjoyed. Would cutting it be destroying it, or giving it new life?
For now, it has been folded up again, and put back on the shelf.
alookatthelittlethings 
I would say, Giving it New Life! 🙂 I understand how it jumped into your hands 🙂
It just looked so well loved. It needed a home.
I wonder if you could make some sort of wall hanging out of it. Well used art
Well used art–that’s funny. I probably have a few worn out things around here I could use.
I would give it new life. Maybe it could be a table runner.
That’s not a bad idea. The long stripes lend itself to that shape already.
Oooh, I’m not sure! I’m veering towards giving it a new life 🙂
I think I am too. Just needed reassurance. 🙂
Give new life! Makes me think of when I had to cut up my mom’s wedding dress so I could wear it…I couldn’t beat the thought but my mom embraced the idea.
That first cut of the scissors must have been tough!
It looks like it was a utility quilt to begin with and I’d say that means it wants to be used! If you can salvage some portions and make pillows or something then the remains of the quilt will be enjoyed and, to me, that’s the point. My rule about vintage linens is, if they are in good shape, I don’t cut. But, if they have holes or bad stains, they deserve a second chance as pieces of a new project.
That’s a good rule. I need to start thinking of this more like a piece of fabric and less like someone’s beloved keepsake.
I have a quilt from my childhood in similar condition. It was made by my great grandma, so I can’t bear to take it apart, but I have no idea how to even begin repairing it.
Oh I could never cut into a keepsake like that! I’m only considering it for this because it has no sentimental value at all.
If you don’t care about the backing fabric, could you lay another piece behind it and stitch it into place on that to preserve the top?
The top IS the important part – and intact. I could probably do what you suggest, but I’d need a sewing machine (and more experience with it). One of these days 🙂