This Old Quilt
Well, the last time I washed her she started falling apart. I was so upset I had let it go this far! I made her a promise, so I decided to give her a little make-over when we got home from the beach. Yes, she even went to the beach with me looking like this...but I can't live without her! I couldn't go on vacation and leave her behind no matter how she looked! We need each other.
I gave her a good looking over and saw that the only real problems were the frayed edges of the binding and the last blue panel on each end. I picked some fabrics out of my stash that I thought would look nice on her and went to work. I'm sure quilters all over the world will cringe when they read this-I'm sorry. I just fixed her the best way I knew how. 
I started by zig-zaging this green fabric over the blue panel that was in such bad shape. I just ironed one side under about 1/2" and used old seam as a guide. I then pressed it, pinned the edges, and sewed along the edge with a long straight stitch. My reasoning for the long stitch was that I didn't want to deal with puckers and folds while applying the binding. I'm not a quilter so I don't own a walking foot which would have been very helpful (this is a foot for your machine that helps to feed layers of fabric evenly through the machine to prevent puckers and folds). 
After that I attached the binding all the way around. My method was to sew the binding fabric and quilt right sides together, turn the binding fabric under and fold over to the back, then stitch in the ditch on the right side.
I gave her a good wash and snuggled up with her while she was still warm. I know she is not made of the most beautiful fabrics, I'm sure she would love to be made of Anna Marie fabrics (who wouldn't?), but she is perfect to me....and now I feel safe knowing that she will be with me for many more years. Maybe even more puking babies....I hope so.
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8 comments:
I was given a quilt for a wedding present 9 years ago and it seems to have vanished. I have been tossing the idea around that I should try my hand at making a new one.
Reading this reminds me how much I miss my old quilt and has given me the courage to start this giant project.
That reminds me of my "baby quilt" my grandma made me when I was born. It even has my name and birthdate hand-embroidered on it. The binding was doing exactly what yours did when at long, long last I packed it away (I won't tell you how I stored it--I'm not sure if I'd get in trouble!). I used it way way way past babyhood, I assure you. The love that has been invested into that quilt...man. It's deep.
Oh--a "someday" project for me is to use my wedding dress in a quilt for myself and maybe even in one for each of my kids...of course, since I'm not a quilter yet, that dream is waiting a while longer. :)
Aaaw, I love the expressive manner with which you write, Samantha! It draws me in every time...now I love your quilt, too! ha ha. Glad she will be with you for many more years. I have a quilt my grandmother made for me. She never finished it before she died, but my mom had it finished as a wedding gift. It was so special to me that I have never used it, wanting to save it for my children...now I realize that is kinda silly and we could be building wonderful memories with that special quilt as we USE it and that would mean much more than giving them a quilt that they never saw growing up just b/c it was from their great grandma! Thanks!
I love the way you fixed up your old quilt and think you did a beautiful job.
That reminds me..."Big Blue" as he is called around here definitely needs his binding redone. I am not a quilter either, but I like how you did that binding on your dear girl...it seems simple enough.
And, to whit, I think the fabric is so beautiful, even if it isn't Anna Marie (although, I think I'd love that too!) There is just something about old quilts. It's more than just warmth...
Sweet Samantha - she looks just beautiful - your loving restoration work has accomplished its mission. I don't know a thing about quilting, but I know what I think looks good, and she certainly does. Of course, there's just something about being loved that makes something even more beautiful...hmmmm, kinda sounds like how God loves us and lovingly restores us...and somehow we look beautiful to Him...
Congratulations on your recent anniversary!! Glad it was a fun day - your tribute to your hubby and y'all's relationship was wonderful - thank you for sharing...
I've been reding and keeping up with the details of your loss and I wanted you to know that my heart simply broke for you - you have been in my prayers and will continue to be...
Big hugs and showers of blessings to you friend,
Becky S.
Oh, she looks wonderful, and I know she's proud to have found a home where she is so well loved.
She reminds me of a very frayed old quilt my mom has - upon closer inspection, we discovered another, older quilt underneath! Some clever seamstress, many years ago, used an old quilt just for the batting, covering it with a new (but now old) top and backing. Maybe someday years from now, when your new binding is old and frayed, your great-grandchildren will peek through the holes and say "What's this??"
That story is exactly why we quilt. Beautiful!
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