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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Quilting or embroidery question???  |
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EastTXFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
731 Posts
Victoria
Farmgirl #549
TX
USA
731 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 6:02:17 PM
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Some of you may remember several months ago when I shared the wonderful news of finding a box of embroidered quilting squares that my grandmother did by hand. She was a dialysis patient and she would work on the squares while getting her treatments. It was an amazing find. The fabric is a thick muslin and the embroidery is a large rose with three lilac stems in the background. Each block has been embroidered in a different color scheme. I have been searching through countless number of quilting patterns to find the perfect one. Finally I found it and I am ready to start the quilt. Granny did beautiful work on the front that is. I washed by hand, dried and ironed each block. I quickly noticed that you can tell by her work when she was having a bad day. The back is a little sloppy. I would like to trim up some of the many long skips in the thread and the very large knots but I'm a little nervous. These blocks are at least 40 years old and I really don't want to mess them up. Is there something I can put on the backs to hold the threads in place if I do trim them a bit? I am afraid if I don't clean them up some when I get to the quilting part it will show through. Any ideas you all may have will be greatly appreciated.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 6:13:14 PM
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I would not trim them if they are going to be in a quilt. I understand your concern but that is part of the quilt and what was happening it is important to the quilts history. I understand you want the quilt to look pretty but in my opinion the quilt will be beautiful no matter what because they where made to clear her mind and keep entertained at trying times. If you do cut the threads you have to realize that things you could put on the threads such as fray check and such can damage your quilt and make ugly brown spots in about 15 to 20 years so I would prefer to see the threads traveling under teh quilt than see the damage caused by the fray check and other such things.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
Farmgirl Sister #115
my blog http://sunshinescreations.vintagethreads.com/
my store http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageThreads
facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Sunshines-Creations/104230882941628 |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 6:20:29 PM
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I agree with Wendy and wouldn't do anything with the threads. You will most likely see some of them through the quilt, but that is not unusual and in my opinion will only add to the charm.
If you really feel you must do something, there is a spray adhesive that may do the trick. It is in a can like spray paint and is used for holding the layers of a quilt together. It will also work to "stay" the frayed ends as you would like to do. This is an aerosol product and can be a respritory irritant, however. Use in in well vented room.
Good luck....make sure to post a photo so we can see your lovely finished quilt!!!!
Carrie
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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EastTXFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
731 Posts
Victoria
Farmgirl #549
TX
USA
731 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 05:16:45 AM
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I did think about leaving the back as is. It is my OCD that is kicking in. I would rather leave as is than have staining several years down the road. I will post a pic when it is done.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
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khartquilt
True Blue Farmgirl
1176 Posts
USA
1176 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 05:37:17 AM
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Victoria,
When sandwiching your top, use a darker batting. Something off white or "natural" Not a snow white. Since you have rinsed the blocks and pressed them, it might be safe to say the thread die will not bleed.
Kathy H
Farmgirl Sister #81
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world..." (anomymous)
http://khartquilt.blogspot.com |
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shunger
True Blue Farmgirl
224 Posts
Suzanne
Helena
MT
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 11:39:45 AM
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| What a great find. Keep it the way it is -- I'm just repeating what others have said. But I want to encourage you as well. Suzanne |
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 1:31:23 PM
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Aww, what a beautiful memory you'll have, combining your Grandma's handiwork with yours!! Can't wait to see it! And, yes, I'm going with the group (& can be a bit OCD myself) & think leaving the back as is will maintain the integrity of the piece and its heirloom value. xoxo
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
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EastTXFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
731 Posts
Victoria
Farmgirl #549
TX
USA
731 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 8:06:13 PM
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OK I plan to leave it as is but on some level it will make me crazy while I'm working on it (I'm telling you ladies I am really clinically OCD) but I'm going to do it. Kathy none of the threads bled. I used oxyclean because there were some stains. Only one stain did not come out but it is not bad.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
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Ric Rac and Polka Dots
True Blue Farmgirl
87 Posts
Julie
Pleasant Prairie
WI
USA
87 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 06:37:09 AM
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Feel Grandma's love as you work on her quilt. She will be smiling down on you! I think it's wonderful!! Have fun and treasure it!
Julie
Ric Rac and Polka Dots
Farmgirl #1127
"No matter where you go . . . there you are." |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Quilting or embroidery question??? |
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Quilting or embroidery question???
