I cut out squares and half square triangles from red, white, and blue fabric. I instructed each of the students to lay out the squares and triangles to make a larger 9 inch square. Then each student took a turn sewing their blocks together using my daughters small sewing machine. The teacher's aide for the school then stitched the blocks together. I sandwiched it and took my portable quilting frame to school and taught the students to hand quilt. I kept the quilt at school on my bench seat for 5 or 6 years. I took it home to wash a couple of times a year.
Oh my! As I look back I must laugh because most of the stitches are huge. It has been washed a number of times and part of the stitches have come out. Right now it needs washed badly.
So I am thinking of contacting a couple of the girls from the class (they graduated from high school this year) to see if one of them might want it. If not, I'll keep it. The question is . . .
Would you just tie the loose ends and wash it? Or would you go ahead and machine stitch in the ditch after tying the loose ends. I'm afraid if I don't machine quilt it, all of the quilting will fall out.
I wonder if any of the students even remember making this.
Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.
That's a tough one Vivian.... but oh so very cool! It would be a shame to have it fall apart, but I'm afraid you'll take away it's charm if you machine quilt it.
ReplyDeleteHey Vivian! Does it have soiled spots that could be spot-cleaned, or does it just need freshening? Would it be possible to hand-stitch the places that need repairing and then maybe a little Febreeze and hang it on the clothes line for a bit? It's darling -- I can't imagine one of the girls not wanting it! :)
ReplyDeleteIf I were to receive a call from you about this "memory", I would want it as close to the "original" as possible.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolute treasure.
How in the world do you plan to choose who get's it? That would be the tough part.
ReplyDeleteHey there! Just saying hi and wanted to comment on this post. This is such a sweet quilt and my suggestion would be to tie off the ends of the quilting threads, bind it and leave it as it is.
ReplyDeleteSurely one of the students will want the 'save the memory.' It would be very nice to add a simple label to the back with your name as the teacher and the class year. It's nice you saved it all this time! pat
Vivian, that is the cutest quilt, EVER! So precious too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words on my Teacher's Welcome. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer before school starts again for you.