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Rags to Stitches

While looking for a fall tablecloth I found this poor old sad thing in the back of my linen closet:

I bought this quilt at a show for a couple of bucks. The cheap black fabric patches started to shred every time I washed it, so I'm glad I didn't pay much for it. I started repairing it as the splits occurred, but soon the futility of this set in, and I tucked it away.

I never throw away quilts; I always try to find a way to repair or recycle them. My challenge this week will be to find a new purpose for this disaster. Stay tuned to see what I make of it.

Comments

nightsmusic said…
Sad when they do that. I had a quilt handed down that had a ton of satin which is not like silk and doesn't always hold up. It didn't and trying to recycle it was a nightmare so out it went. I don't ever like tossing them either but sometimes, you really have no other choice. :(
the author said…
Aw, that's a shame. I avoid using satin in quilts I mean to wash -- I've seen how it falls apart even with light washing.

The backing and batting on this one feels pretty sturdy, so I think it'll hold up if I recycle it. I might put that cherry cheater cloth together with some white scrap I have and make a new top for it. Probably will need to add some batting or a lining to keep the old patchwork from showing through.
nightsmusic said…
It was. And it had probably been washed at some point, but by the time I got it, the satin was already disintegrating. I think if I'd washed it, I'd have ended up with nothing at all. But if the backing is good, I'd definitely try that.

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