Learn expert techniques on how to preserve and restore quilts from quilt restorer Nancy Kirk.
Restoration tools:
140/2 weight cotton thread
120/2 weight cotton and silk thread
crepeline
monofiliament thread
acid-free tissue and storage boxes
Preserving the quilt consists of maintaining the quilt in its current condition.
- The optimum way to store vintage quilts is to keep them away from light, humidity and water.
- The best way to store quilts and vintage fabrics is to lay flat, but if space is a problem, gently fold the fabric. Slip acid free tissue between the fold. Then, roll up the fabric around the tissue.
Before restoring a quilt, ask yourself the following questions:
1. What is the quilt's history?
2. What do you want to do with the quilt?
- If you plan on displaying the quilt as a wall hanging, it won't require extra stability.
- Also, if the quilt has an important past history, it could lessen the value of the quilt if any restoration is done.
Utility quilts were antique quilts made to keep people warm and sometimes made from wool suits.
- Utility quilts need to be reinforced to withstand all the washing and usage.
- The most recent fabric used, not the earliest, determines the date of the quilt.
- If you have a quilt with disintegrating fabric, trace the original pattern to make a plastic template. Use the template to create replacement pieces from vintage fabrics.
- To repair a hole in the quilt, loosely baste a patch of matching fabric on the back. Insert the batting on the front, and create a plastic template by following the quilting lines. Appliqué the fabric patch in place and re-quilt the area.
- For a quick repair on a utility quilt, make an honest patch from coordinating fabric. An honest patch is easy to do and doesn't distract from the quilt visually.
