[RenjiCat]

Hello-

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right forum, but does anyone here quilt? I know it sounds old fashioned, but it's really the only hobby I have that seems to calm me. I usually make baby quilts for friends and family. When my Granny passed away her things were divided among all the grandchildren. Among the things I got were 4 quilt tops. I want to complete them, but I'm not sure what backing to use. I'm thinking of using muslin. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[shezbut]

I wish that I did quilt ~ that's on my "learn to do" list. Most of my female ex-inlaws did regular quilting, crocheting, and other sewing tasks. I never lived close enough to learn how it was done though.

Sorry! Hopefully, someone with experience will spot this thread to share their knowledge soon. Best wishes!

[RenjiCat]

Thanks Shez! I'm self-taught myself. Granny and my great-grandmother both quilted but both quit long before I came along. I saw a baby quilt one day and thought to myself "hey I can do that!" So I did..lol. I can't use patterns though..everything I do is by sight only.

You should give it a try.. you never know until you try!

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

Sounds kewl. Who cares if it's old-fashioned, ... just means it's so awesome, it stuck around through the ages! Happy quilting!

[gayleggg]

Hi, RenjiCat. I used to quilt last year before the depression hit me again. Shutting down all the things I used to love to do. I used crochet and knit, too. Can't seem to drag myself up to do anything I used to enjoy.

As far as your question, a lot of people use mulsin to back a quilt. I usually try to find a color that fits well with the colors of the quilt. I think it is personal preference.

[RenjiCat]

Thanks Gayle!

I've been severely depressed for about 3 weeks myself (seeing a new pdoc in 2 weeks so I'm just trying to hang on until then). I'm trying to think of little things I can do to try to pull myself out of at least some of the funk. I used to love quilting...especially baby quilts. Now I just stare at the quilt tops...I've had them for many years and haven't finished them (always too busy).

The quilt tops are very old and they were hand stitched.. my initial thought was to hand quilt them to finish them as they were started, but I really don't think I'm up to that right now. So I'll be using my machine..at least for the first one.

[gayleggg]

Yes, hand quilting takes a lot patience and time. I do the pieceing and I have a friend that has long quilting machine so I usually get her to do the quilting part. I was probably in a manic phase before, got up early and pieced until time go to work then back at it. I couldn't get enough then one day I went down like a ton of bricks and everything is left right where it was before the depression.

I went to the State Fair of Texas this last weekend and went to see the winning quilts. They had some beautiful ones. I was hoping it would get me going again, but just can't will myself to do it. At some point, I just know my doctor will hit the right combinations of medication to pull out of this. Until then I guess things will stay where they are. Hope you get yours going.

[NWgirl2013]

I quilt. Because your tops are already made, it might help to know what the fabric is. If cotton, I would use cotton for the back. Gently wash the tops with a color stay solution you can buy at the fabric store, dry in a lukewarm dryer and then press them. Wash & dry the backing too, in case it shrinks, press and start sewing!
I prefer a cotton flannel for mine because I like the snuggly feel, but it is a little harder to work with than a smooth cotton.

I have a bunch of batiks ready & waiting for me when I get a little time.

Have fun with this! These are heritage quilts that carry family history. The one's I got from family are so special because the pieces are from clothes we all wore. So lot's of fun memories. (Look! Dad's shirt pocket! My old sundress!)

So lucky are you! A treasure to pass down!

[RenjiCat]

Maybe you could try to start off with something small? Have you tried doing a baby quilt? When I'm manic I can pop one out in 1-2 days. They're great because I don't see them as a "big" project and don't tend to get overwhelmed when I'm not manic. I usually give them as gifts (oh I always slip a bounce sheet when I fold them up so that when they're unwrapped they smell great).

I have also made what I call "quilted photographs". Basically, it's a large block with a photo transfer (I like black and white) in the middle. I then quilt around the photo- of course the photo can't be quilted so it's just a show piece for the wall.

I have only made 1 large quilt. It was queen size for my mother. Every other block was hand appliqued (my first and last attempt of hand applique). Try to picture it- I appliqued each block to look like flowers on a vine.. the vine was in the shape of a heart with small different flowers on each block (none the same). I set them on varying shades of off white. It took me six months to complete, but I was proud of it. I thought it was beautiful! My sisters helped pay for the materials and we gave it to her for Christmas. Months later I was at her house visiting and found it crumpled up in the corner of her bedroom.. the dog had peed on it.

[NWgirl2013]

People who quilt will tell you many similar stories. I've heard so many! The quilt covering the lawnmower in the shed. The baby quilt in the dog bed or covering the cat scratching post

Seriously, people who don't 'get it' don't get a quilt! The time & love & care taken to choose just the right fabrics, to say nothing of the hand application & special custom touches! I like to embroider so mine will usually have some of that. It is an instant world so many don't appreciate this time honored craft. I know, a gift is a gift & you have to let it go once given, but I am much more careful on whom I bestow this particular piece of my heart.

I am ashamed to say my own daughter was given a beautiful quilt from her new mother in law as a wedding gift & because it wasn't to her taste she used it to wrap other things to store when she and her new hubby moved!
I begged her to give it to me for safe keeping, or until she comes to her senses!
Still waiting...

[RenjiCat]

Originally Posted by NWgirl2013

I quilt. Because your tops are already made, it might help to know what the fabric is. If cotton, I would use cotton for the back. Gently wash the tops with a color stay solution you can buy at the fabric store, dry in a lukewarm dryer and then press them. Wash & dry the backing too, in case it shrinks, press and start sewing!
I prefer a cotton flannel for mine because I like the snuggly feel, but it is a little harder to work with than a smooth cotton.

I have a bunch of batiks ready & waiting for me when I get a little time.

Have fun with this! These are heritage quilts that carry family history. The one's I got from family are so special because the pieces are from clothes we all wore. So lot's of fun memories. (Look! Dad's shirt pocket! My old sundress!)

So lucky are you! A treasure to pass down!

Thank you! They appear to be old scraps of clothing..mostly cotton. Normally, I'd just go to the fabric store and pick something out, but like you said these are a treasure and something I really want to pass down to my girls. So I really want to be careful in my choice.

No one knew Granny even had these quilt tops! I wish I had known when she was still alive. I would have loved to have the story to pass down as well. I truly believe I was meant to have them. I'm the only one in the entire family that quilts. All my cousins were picking out the most expensive things, but I think I got the most important! (per her instructions her house was sealed when she died, and each grandchild had to draw a number to determine what order we would pick. We took turns until there was nothing much left)

[NWgirl2013]

The Ugly came out in my family at the passing of the elders. It was like a looting. Sad.
So glad you have the quilt tops! Maybe look through pics & you might recognize a dress or shirt print. I did that with my H's family quilt. I found a shirt he wore as a youngster was represented! It was a shock! But a happy one...

[RenjiCat]

Why is that?? My cousins were vultures! Picking the house a part.. it broke my heart! I even got caught up in it a bit.. she had a huge antique mirror that my daddy, uncle, and aunt (her children) bought her and granddaddy years and years ago.. it sat on the wall above the couch forever! For years my cousins fought over who would get it when she passed. As it happened I got #6 out of 11, but I was well above the most greedy of the cousins. My first pick was the mirror!

Sorry.. I rambled! Back to the quilts. I want the heavy feeling of the old quilts. What batting would you use?

[NWgirl2013]

Ugh! Families! Sometimes don't you wonder that you would never have anything to do with these people if you weren't related to them!? I do..

Cotton bat has that old time feel I think, but it is not the thick cushy feel of quilts today.
I have a friend who made a top to fit her down comforter because that was the warm fluffiness she wanted. It actually worked! as it is a sealed unit.

I like that you can use whatever you want or have on hand, like they did in the old days...

[shezbut]

I actually saved special clothes from both of my daughter's first two years of life & plan on making a special quilt for each of them. I won't give the quilts to my girls until they can appreciate them though. {I learned that painful lesson many years ago myself, when I mistakenly passed on a couple of beloved "toys" that I'd grown up with on to a young cousin. They were quickly ruined & I was heartbroken! }

[RenjiCat]

I've always wanted to try to make a T shirt quilt. That maybe my next project after getting these quilts completed.