Corner Fix

Recently I was finishing the edges of a small quilt.  I was using the facing technique instead of binding because there was not enough of my border fabric to make binding strips.  

As I was inspecting the edges of the quilt, I saw that one corner antique block had a slit along an edge.  I thought that my walking foot took a wide enough seam allowance that the slit would be enclosed.  All would be okay.

 

But it was not okay.  It wasn't until I had all of the facing turned to the back side that I discovered the batting poking out of that corner.  Now what?  This project was set aside as I pondered how to fix this problem.

Several other quilts were waiting for bindings, so I set to work on one of them.  I chose a tan fabric with which to bind a charity lap quilt.  The binding strips were joined in the usual way--perpendicular to one another--so there were small triangle pieces to cut away from the seam allowances. 

 

Hmmm...could one of these triangles be used to fix the problem with the other quilt?  The fabric was a good color, but would the size work?

The facing was undone in that corner area and a triangle basted in place.  There was enough seam allowance along the diagonal edge to turn under.  That allowed me to applique the triangle in place, over the damaged original corner of the block.  

 The facing was reworked in that area, and one would never know that a repair had been made! 

 

 

 

Another use for a cut-away triangle.  :)

Cutter Quilts

I have been interested in vintage quilts for a very long time.  Along with the vintage blocks that I have been blogging about, my collection includes vintage quilt tops and vintage quilts.  Some are in good shape; others had outlived their usefulness as quilts, but were purchased for a purpose.  Thirty years ago I got caught up in the trend of using old, worn out vintage quilts for clothing, bears, dolls, and other decorative items. That is when I first heard the term "cutter quilts". 

Cutter quilts have damaged areas--holes, spots or worn places--but have areas that are still in good enough condition to use for smaller items.  As with other aspects of quilting, cutter quilts are once again being talked about. All kinds of ideas for using them can be found online.  Just search for "cutter quilt crafts". 

Recently I pulled out some of my cutter quilt scraps to make Christmas ornaments.  

All were made from simple shapes--"three tiered" snowmen;  angel heads on hearts; stockings.

The snowmen are a single layer of the quilt; the edges finished with the buttonhole stitch all around.  After the faces were embroidered, the shapes were stiffened with a 50/50 mixture of Elmer's glue and water.  Once dry, the scarves were tied around their necks and held in place by stitching on a button.  

Both the hearts and stocking are lined--placed RST on the lining fabric; stitched around leaving an opening for turning.  The angel heads are lined circles, hot-glued in place.  Raffia creates their hair.  A bow is tied under their chins; a small charm is stitched right under the bow knot.

The stocking is topped with vintage crochet edging which was basted in place before stitching the stocking piece to the lining.  A bow is tacked to the upper right corner.  

Because I did not know the makers of the cutter quilts that I bought, it was not difficult to cut them up.  These small vintage quilt pieces have found new life in items that will (hopefully) be cherished!