How is that for dirty? Yuck.
Thank you for all the feedback and suggestions for the quilt. I have decided to repair rather than re-purpose.
In looking at the damage more closely I can see the biggest hole isn't actually missing any pieces like I originally thought. It has just come apart.
You can see the hole went through all three layers. The back of the quilt had a number of splits in the fabric and just wasn't salvageable. The batting was beyond disgusting. I carefully snipped all the ties (all eight billion of them) and then separated the top from the other layers.
The quilt didn't have a binding – the top and bottom pieces were just folded in and then straight stitched so it was a breeze to take it apart.
See – the hole isn't so bad after all. The edges of the quilt are another story. The fabric is splitting where it was folded under. I think I can just remove the outer most pieces and bind the edges when I get a new back and batting on. I might have to replace a few pieces, but not too many.
Meanwhile I'm still in the cleaning process. After I separated the top from the other layers I filled the tub up with warm water, Biz and Ivory Snow. The brown water is after 30 minutes of soaking. I didn't agitate it all – just let it sit there. I drained the tub and filled it with just plain water and let it soak for an hour. Then drained, filled it again with warm water and Biz and let it sit overnight. This morning I drained it and it's now soaking in just plain water (which has remained clear so far, thank goodness).
I think it will always be too delicate for use but it will be pretty folded at the bottom of a bed.
Edited to add: Any suggestions for quilting it? Or would hand-tying it be the way to go? I've never really cared for the look of tied quilts but that's just me.
Oh ewww! You weren’t kidding when you said the water was brown. I need a shower now…
Old quilts can be so filthy, unfortunately! I think I would quilt it back together by running a straight stitch diagonally across the squares, and then another straight stitch diagonally the other way. So each little square would be quilted in an X. That’s just me, though. It will look so pretty on the foot of a bed or tossed over a chair arm!
I think it should be hand quilted. I don’t like tied either. And machine quilting would not be appropriate for this antique quilt–in my opinion at least. I agree with Janelle on the quilting design.
Are you missing any squares that need to be filled with vintage materials?
Wow – that was sure harbouring some dirt!!
Just seen Nicole’s post about your quilt and I look forward to seeing what you do next. I’ll be back :o)
I don’t know the first thing about quilts, but I saw your earlier post and I’m glad you’re able to salvage it. Its interesting to see what you’re doing with it. I’m curious to see how the end product turns out for you.
You did a great job in washing this vintage quilt top. I have done some quilt restoration and what you’ve done so far is excellent. I would suggest you hand quilt it as Janelle suggested too. Once you replace the backing and batting, I think you will be very pleased with the outcome. It won’t be quite as fragile as you think, but I wouldn’t subject it to a rough future. Keep it out of direct light and it will lasts another 50-75 years. Darlene
Merry Christmas!