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How to Quilt>How to quilt a vintage quilt
Quilter's Quandry
Q: I am in a quandry as to what to do with a quilt top given to me by a dear friend. This top was made by his grandmother. The quilt top is old, probably from the late 30's early 40's, judging by the fabrics used. The top is in very good condition. It has been stored in a cedar chest wrapped in an old sheet. The problem is I know the fabric is fragile. I would love to quilt this top for my friend, but I am afraid of damaging it. I was planning to use a pre-shrunk cotton batting and unbleached muslin backing to give it an authentic look. I have three frame choices, a Grace EZ3, my grandmother's old 1x2 frames and a Dritz PVC frame. Which of these would be best suited to this project? Would it be better to use a hoop? Or maybe not to use anything ? I generally don't like the results I get without a frame of some kind. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for your wonderful website and all of the tips. Sincerely, A: This sounds like a very fun project! I agree with you about using a frame. I have found that I am generally not happy with quilts I quilt without some kind of frame. Because the fabric is fragile, it seems to me that you will want to use a frame that will keep the tension on the quilt layers without causing undue stress on the fabric. Comments I have seen in discussion groups about the PVC frame might indicate that is not a good choice. The frame uses metal clips, and quilters acknowledge that many times the clips are difficult to get onto the quilt and frame. I wouldn't want to take a chance that the metal would damage the quilt fabric. I might also have some of the same concerns about using a wooden lap hoop, although that is my favorite kind of hoop for quilting. (I have yet to be able to use a frame - I like to quilt in lines toward myself, not at all angles.) In any case, a lap hoop creates an uneven amount of tension, and causes stress on the fabric between the top and bottom pieces of the hoop. This stretching might cause damage to the fabric in your grandmother's quilt. The Grace EZ3 looks like it would offer some very nice features. It would create a relatively even amount of tension on the quilt, without too much stretching. It also looks like the rollers are aluminum which would be gentle on the quilt - no chance for rusting or splinters. Your Grandmother's 1 x 2 frame would be very fun to use, partly because it would be very authentic. Comparing it to the Grace EZ3, I would consider how the quilt is attached to the muslin or wrapped around the wood - whether it is pinned to the muslin or somehow clamped to the wood after it is rolled up. In short, I would stick with a frame that will allow you to gently roll up the quilt and not rely on clamps or pins to secure it. If the quilt will be on the frame for some amount of time, you may also want to consider whether the frame is wood, metal or plastic. Wood sometimes contains oils that can be transferred onto the quilt, causing it to discolor or stain - probably not a good look for your treasured quilt. Hope that helps - send us a picture in process and after the quilt is finished.
Happy Quilting!
This article courtesy of http://www.How-to-Quilt.com. ©2006, Penny Halgren
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