Hi there, I’m hoping you can help me. I have a newly finished quilt that got a small hole in the top from my cat’s claws. What’s the best way to repair this so that my quilt still looks okay?
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Not to worry, this should be a fairly easy fix. If the hole is on the quilt top in a place where you can hand stitch it, that would be the best way to repair it and make it less visible.
I have also fixed small holes by cutting a small piece of lightweight fusible interfacing, inserting it into the quilt under the rip with the fusible side facing the wrong side of the quilt top. You can then align the edges of the rip and “fuse” it back together.Good luck!
Ashley
Related link: Types of Interfacing Fabric and Interfacing Sewing (links to National Sewing Circle website)
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A friend buys old quilts. Vintage ones to resell. I fixed one really rough one for her. The binding was strange but I turned the top layer of it in , turned in the bottom layer to make a narrower binding and whip stitched it all
The way around. Pieces were torn and missing. I whip stitched the edges of the torn pieces to hold the torn parts down. Total hand stitchesdalmost
A wholeQuilt. It resold for 95$ yesterday
yes i have a quilt my mom made for me it is worn bad.
I often simply hand applique a butterfly over the damage. It is now my signature ,and can be used over small stains if accidents.
My friend has a quilt that her dogs chew a large hole through the center of top, binding and backing. Also, has smaller holes in other areas of quilt. How can this be repaired?
Hello Betty,
This is for members to our online community. We do have a $3.00 USD annual entrance offer if you are interested? This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Below is the link to join if you are interested: https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/C29997
Sincerely,
Sarah
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Ticket 37819 I have an old patchwork quilt I’d like to refurbish. There are no holes on the top but the fabric is very thin. Could I use fusible interfacing to reinforce those squares? (I need to disassemble the layers). Thank you for any input!
Hi Laura!
Our experts responding with the following:
Hi,
Absolutely! This is a great way to reinforce these squares. You can buy any brand of light to medium weight, woven, fusible interfacing for this.
Cheers,
Ashley
Thank you! Michael
I have a fray at a seam in my quilt. It’s frayed enough that I can’t just stitch over it. Any suggestions?
would like your free news letter
Hello Gloria,
Thank you for contacting us. I have signed you up for the newsletter as you wished. It should start in about 2 to 3 business days.
Sincerely,
Joan
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I collect old and new quilts and one cotten one was tied and backed with a polyester bedspread, by someone who wasn’t careful or knowledgeable. I have taken the top and bedspread apart, the pattern is Grandmother’s Flower Garden and didn’t know it was completely hand sewn and the seams were fraying and not wider than about an 1/8th of an inch if that. A few of the seams are coming apart completely but the edges so frayed I’m wondering what options you might suggestion. Thank you.
Hello Shelagh,
Thank you for being patient while I reached out to the expert, here is the reply:
I think the best way to fix these seams would be to stabilize them as best as you can before trying to re-stitch them. This can be done with a fusible stabilizer, and I would recommend using one that comes in strips (rather than buying a large piece you have to cut into strips) and as narrow of a strip as you can find. Once you fuse this onto what remains of those fabric edges you can hopefully stitch them back.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Ashley
Hi I am a new sewer and I am making a nursery quilt for my first project. I bought a kit with a panel and it has some triangles and lots of borders. I have pinned the back and batting to the front and now I don’t know what I must do next. I saw one lady said to start in the middle and “stitch in the ditch” but her quilt was a lot of squares. Mine had a side panel of some. How do I go about stitching this together? I am new to sewing and I am making a nursery quilt Kit which is a panel and a strip of triangles and lots of borders. It is 100% cotton with a cotton flannel back and an 80/20 cotton double batting. I have pinned it together and don’t now how I need to proceed to join it together. Do I quilt around the design or just stitch in the ditch of the borders and triangles?
I am repairing an old tshirt quilt I made my son. I am not a quilter! The interface has come off of the tshirt squares. I have taken off the back material. 1) How do I repair holes in the t-shirt material? 2) How do I repair a square where 1/2 of the t-shirt is ripped up? 3) Do I need to re do the interface on the t-shirts? 4) I am planning on using the same back material and redo the batting. Thank you.
Hello Mary!
That’s a great question and we’d love to help!
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I am a member
Hi Marsha,
Thank you for contacting us. I have submitted your question and I will respond back once I receive the answer.
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A puppy ripped the bottom of a coat. How would you suggest to repair it.
Hello Cindy!
That’s a great question and we’d love to help!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
Please follow the steps below to receive the annual membership at the introductory rate:
1. Click on the email link: https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/C21356
2. Click on the Premium Membership offer.
3. The Checkout page will display your Premium Membership purchase.
4. Fill in your Billing Details and create an account password.
5. Fill in your debit/credit card information.
6. Finish by clicking Complete Order.
If you have any further questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-855-706-3538 at your earliest convenience, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Jessica
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I want too repair my mom’s quilt
Looking to repair a quilt.
How do you repair an old quilt top that is coming apart?
To join can I pay by check, if so what’s your address. Thank you
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Sincerely,
Joan
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A non quilting friend made a baby quilt for her firstborn, a cherished well loved and worn quilt. she asked if I could mend it for her first grandchild. It was in “classic” 70s calico prints. Some fairly large holes. I cut hearts in coordinating solid colors. I used Eleanor Burns technique of light fusible facing, then turn “sticky side” out. Pressed over holes randomly then hand appliqued onto the quilt. The light facing gave a bit more stability and made the applique easier for non applique quilter. Has survived 2nd grandchild so far.
When I sew a label to the back of a quilt I put small pieces of the quilt materials in case it should need a repair. It will be washed and used just like the top so it will always match.
When I find a gap, a tear or a stain, I applique a butterfly , by hand. It is my signature, and does not detract.
I have a very old quilt made by my grandmother before I was born (actually I have two). The one I use all the time was made using squares of rayon from her old dresses and tied as opposed to quilting. A lot of the seams are coming apart and some of the fabric is literally disintegrating, I’m 66 after all and she made them before I was born. I just cannot give up this quilt. It stays by my easy chair all the time.
To shore them up the seams I am embroidering over every seam with six threads in pretty stitches in order to help stabilize all the seams. I’m stitching clear through the backing that is rotting. In the spots where the fabric is disintegrating I’m going to piece in a bit of rayon from my fabric stash and embroider to pull them together. Once all the repairs are complete I’m going to put on a new backing and since the binding is coming apart also so I will make a self binding from the backing. Then I will tie it all over again.
Hopefully, when I’ve done all of this it will be sturdy enough to last through the rest of my life. But, if I have to I will repair it again.
I have an old quilt top (not finished) that I believe my great aunt made. Very large! She was born in the late 1800’s. Two different fabrics are splitting and not very strong. Not too many of it used but enough to try and find a fix. I was wondering if I put some kind of fusible webbing on the back of the two fabrics would it ruin the value of the quilt top? I also would like some advice on whether I should finish the quilt and how I should go about doing that if the answer is “yes”? I know it would all have to be done by hand and I am willing to do whatever I need to fix it properly. However, I do not have a lot of money to have someone do it for me. I have made my own quilts and I know how to do it. I really just need the advice on how to repair and hopefully finish it according to the time period. The material looks to me to be around the civil war so I am unsure if her mother, my great grandmother made it or not? I only wish I knew! There are a lot of browns, golds, rusty reds and creams. It is in a log cabin pattern. Each square half dark and half light. Most of the fabric is in great shape, strong with only a few small unknown stains. Just the two are weak and splitting. One appears to not be all cotton. I don’t know exactly what it is. I hope you can help me? I would appreciate any that you can give me. Thank you. Susan
Hi Susan,
Unfortunately I can not speak to whether or not that would change the overall value of the quilt. I would recommend reaching out to someone who can appraise and value and quilt and see what they say.
Cheers,
Ashley
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I have a newly finished quilt that got a small hole/prick in the top from my scissors. It is getting larger. Can it be repaired with Liquid Stitch Permanent Adhesive Original? I’m not sure I can tack it without it showing but want to know which is the best.
Hello Betty,
Yes, the small hole can be repaired with this. Another way to repair it would be to slip a small piece of fusible interfacing inside the quilt (if possible) with the adhesive side against the wrong side of the fabric where the hole is. You can then realign the fabric and press using an iron to adhere it in place. To make sure it is extra secure and won’t get bigger you could then use the Liquid Stitch.
Hope this helps,
Becky
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My granddaughter is 4 and has this baby quilt shes had since birth. Well her dog chewed a hole of the front thats about 6 or 8 squares in size. Its an odd color for a baby quilt its red, black and white with different patterns. She wants something with butterflies to fix the hole.
NEED HELP!! ANY SUGGESTIONS??
I would research butterflies, looking for one who’s colors and design would “fit” the quilt design. Then, make a large butterfly applique to cover the damaged area. You could add a patch, on the quilt back, with info about the butterfly you chose.
I made a baby blanket 14yrs ago and he is sleeping with it. It has ripped from top to bottom. He doesn’t want it replaced with a new one. what can I do??
Please tell me the ratio of water to liquid starch to starch quilting fabrics. Thank you!!
Hello Sharilyn,
I personally go half and half unless the starch I am using says otherwise.
Cheers,
Ashley NQC Video Membership
How can I fix a hole that my son’s dog has chewed all the way through on a quilt? The hole is bigger than my hand includes top, batting and backing? I can’t find same pattern material but found some close to the same print.
Hi Diane. I believe the only way to fix a hole of this size is to create a patch. Since you will need to be replacing all layers of the quilt I would recommend stitching the backing in place, then use some temporary spray adhesive to add a small amount of batting to the area. You can then hand stitch the edges of the new batting with the old batting, however the spray adhesive will help hold it in place while you do so. You can then add your patch to the quilt top. I would recommend pressing under the edges of the fabric being added and then hand stitching it in place using a hand applique stitch. Since you can not find the exact fabric it is up to you as to whether you want to try and blend/hide the patch as best you can, or use a contrasting fabric/shape to make the patch stand out as a decorative element.
Hope this helps!
Thanks
Ashley-NQC
I saw a suggestion somewhere in my quilting searches that suggested putting a scrap of each fabric used in the quilt either in a small baggy with care directions or under the quilt label if it is large enough. The reason for under the quilt label was that when the quilt is laundered, the scraps will fade at the same rate as the quilt. Of course, there might be an issue with that in that if you are quilting with strong colors, they may bleed or you would need to make them color fast prior to finishing and giving the quilt. Most of us keep scraps of fabric and have enough to share them with the quilt recipient. Personally, I plan to print out a care instruction sheet and just put the fabric scraps in a baggy so the recipient can use them if needed for repairs.
Additionally, I think I will get some Shout Color Catchers to include with the baggy, care instructions and fabric scraps.
I always include Shout color catchers with washing instructions with every quilt I give away. This is always received well.
Looking for away to repair quilt that my dogs torn holes in.
Unusual problem husband put hot iron on my white on white baby quit lying and plasticmrlted on it I am devastated because I am loosing my vision and can’t make another what can I do I can send a picture. Help
Hi Mary Ann. If you are unable to remove the melted plastic from the fabric, or even if you have and it has left a permanent mark- you may need to try and patch over the area. I would cut away as much of the “hard” parts of the fabric as possible, meaning anything that feels rough due to being melted. Then, you could place a new piece of white fabric over the area and quilt over it, tying the new quilting into whatever quilting is already on the quilt. This will probably be your easiest option, as trying to take the quilt apart to patch it can be tedious.
Hope this helps!
Does anyone loom knit? 😃 I need to know how many pegs it takes for a 7″ wide single knit with using Red Heart yarn (4ply worsted yarn). What brand of loom are you using? I have Knifty Knitter, Boye, and the loom from Michael’s.
For larger holes or frayed/stained pieces, my quilting mentor appliques a new piece of material directly over the entire bad piece – I’m amazed at how good the repairs look!
My mother made me a butterfly quilt the year before she pssed away. She was 89 years old. I will cherish it for the rest of my life. The problem is it has no border and I don’t know how to quilt and finish it. Thanks new member
Hi, Gayle. We have many videos that can help you learn how to add borders, quilt and finish the quilt if you decide to do so. Here is a link to an entire category of videos on borders: https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/videos/borders/
Quilting borders is a fun and easy way to enhance your pieces. Learn how to create a variety of borders and discover helpful techniques in these videos. And here is a category on quilting: https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/videos/quilting/
Learn from experts to efficiently and effectively quilt your masterpiece. Follow along for tutorials on how to quilting lines and designs, like a pro. Hopefully these help provide you some direction.
You could also check on quilting books for borders and most anything else from the library. And if you like it well enough you might even purchase one from online.
Hi I have never done quilting so where do I start. I an an experienced sewing for over 35 years so I thought I’d try something new. So quilting here I come.
I have sewn for many yrs. I’m sure if you love to create beautiful things you will really have lots of fun. Get a couple goid rulers. A cutting mat and a rotary cutter and scissors will get you started. U tube has some talented ladies to show you how. Like Jenny at Missouri Star Quilts. Have fun. Txt me if you need .
I have found that a quarter inch foot is very valuable. When I first started making quilts I didn’t realize how important exact quarter inch seams were, trust me, I learned a lot on that first quilt.
Also check your local quilt shop for beginning quilting classes. If there’s a nearby Quilt Guild-those ladies are always happy to help a “new recruit” and you don’t have to join right away. For most, you can attend meetings which often have some great speakers/teachers, for a small fee until you decide whether it’s for you or not.
I like the suggestions Ashley offered and have another that I have implemented. I used a scrap piece of the fabric that matched the pattern where the repair was needed and needle turned a small applique circle over the hole/tear.
I have done the very same thing!
Yes. I did the same thing to cover a very large hole that a puppy had chewed through the entire quilt. Matched the fabric and needle turned the applique. I also had to add batting, the hole was so large. On the back I appliqued a puppy’s paw print to help commemorate the sad event.
Friends gave me a very old tumbling block pattern quilt to fix; it had been used by her mother in a nursing home, and became ripped, after getting caught in the side rails of the bed. Since it was an old quilt, and some of the tears were extensive, I needed to cover some of the blocks with new fabric. I found some that was “close.” To give it an antique look, I bleached it just a little, dried it, then soaked it in tea. After achieving more of the look of the fabric in the originial quilt, I cut out blocks, turned under the edges and appliqued them onto the quilt. It turned out great. The bottom line: just try to be creative, and think through what you need to accomplish. Once, the wide backing I had just finished quilting onto a very large quilt, was found to have a hole in it– I made an applique of a heart, and fused it over the hole. In the end, it looked like a great idea, not repairing a hole.