restoration of old star quilt

[bellsgirl2]

Hello Fellow Quilters-
I am trying to restore an old star quilt and I am not sure how to do the pieceing. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks...bellsgirl2

[CindyB]

First off - welcome to the Boards!!! There are several other people here from Colorado, and all over!

How damaged is the quilt? Also - how dirty??

[gardenquilter]

any new fabric needs to be throughly aged before added to the old quilt - i usually was on hot hot hot several times then dry on high heat, - after ironing then am ready to add to old
I usually take the old piece out by hand and add the new by hand the requilt if necessary, most times if it is a really small piece it is not necessary, it the fabric is just worn and not torn sometimes you can put tulle, or a sheer fabric over it

[lhostelley]

bellsgirl2,
Welcome to the forum. We are glad to have you. What part of Colorado are you in?

[bellsgirl2]

thank you all for the response! First of all I am in Elizabeth Colorado. I have been quilting for just a couple of years but the best way for me to fall asleep at night (after I have said my prayers,) is to put together a quilt in my head. It sounds silly but it really relaxes me.
The quilt is very clean but the fabric is old. It almost has disintegrated in spots and yet other spots are just fine. It is so pretty I just can't fathom throwing it away. I'm getting ready to have hip replacement surgery and I think it will keep my hands busy when I am recouperating.
I will follow your suggestion with prewashing the fabric in hot water. I would not have thought of that I'm so glad I found you guys!!! Thanks/ Steph AKA Bellsgirl2

[MarieJ]

A couple other things you can do to "age" the new fabric is to bleach it, then wash thouroughly to get all the bleach out, or you can actually lay a piece in the window of your car for awhile and it will fade it. Instead of piecing, I applique new pieces on. I use a real thin thread, so the applique stitches dissappear. Then try to match the quilting stitches that are on the rest of the quilt.

[gardenquilter]

double check on the bleach I have read several articles that claim that bleach stays forever unless you put it in a special bath to neturilize the bleach