How to Repair Old Tattered Quilts

Grandma's old quilt need not be relegated to the linen closet or the cedar chest because of discoloration, musty scents or damage. Most old quilts were sewn from all-cotton fabrics that tend to hold up well over the test of time. Many vintage quilts can even survive a light cycle on cold water wash in the wash machine. Tattered quilts can be repaired by replacing ripped pieces or covering with fabric, or replacing missing batting.

Things You'll Need

• Febreeze or similar deodorizing product
• Baking soda
• Mild detergent
• Needle and thread
• Reproduction fabrics or vintage fabrics
• Bias tape

Instructions

1. Deodorize quilts after storage with a fabric deodorizer such as Febreeze. Place quilts that smell musty in a large zipper bag with baking soda. Leave for two weeks and check. Repeat if still musty. Brush baking soda from the quilt.

2. Hand-wash quilts that are soiled and look sturdy in cold water with a mild detergent and allow to hang dry. Washing only the affected section is also an option if you don't wish to wash the entire quilt.

3. Rub stained quilts gently with a paste of baking soda and water and rinse with water, then hang to dry. You can use stain-removing products, but only if your quilt is sturdy enough to wash by hand.

4. Hand-mend quilts that are torn. Replicate blocks or smaller pieces from reproduction fabrics or vintage fabrics and sew into place. Make a pattern with paper or paper towel by tracing a block and transferring to fabric. Turn under fabric edges before sewing.

5. Replace missing or tattered bindings with similar vintage fabric, reproduction fabrics or with small sections bound with coordinating bias tape.

6. Repair quilts that have tattered battings. Tuck cotton batting into a section of quilt where batting has come through a hole. Cover with vintage or reproduction fabric and hand-sew using a straight stitch or a hem stitch. Try to replicate the cover piece in the block when possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Find vintage and antique fabrics by purchasing old clothes at garage sales or resale shops. Online auction sites also feature vintage fabrics for sale. If you can't find vintage fabrics, there are companies specializing in reproduction fabrics. If the color of the new fabric is too bright against the faded quilt, wash the fabric several times to fade, or sun fade. Some fabrics can be bleached to achieve a lighter, faded look. Some fabrics can be tea-stained to achieve an old, weathered look.

• Old quilts are sometimes fragile. When attempting to restore an old quilt that has value to you, use the old saying, "When in doubt, don't do it."

References

• History of Quilts
• Quilt History