Tuesday 22 February 2011

To chop or not to chop???

I bought this quilt,"posy", a few weeks ago, I have since been told that it contains a lot of old Liberty fabrics in the pattern, I hadn't actually noticed!
There is a lot of damage to one edge but still a lot of lovely quilted fabric left, it could be displayed without showing the damage, however having had a think about it I have decided to make cushions from it.
The problem is how and where to cut it? The squares are on the diagonal and how much of the quilted fabric will I lose? I was going to start on it this morning, but as I have to find some cream/beige linen to back it withit has gained a reprieve,  it is folded up looking at me.
I have enough trouble tussling with "should I or shouldn't I" cut up long lengths of beautiful fabric, this decision is much worse as it will also entail SEWING !

10 comments:

  1. Oh Tracey...it's a beautful quilt. My humble, is not to chop...it's beauty is in the fact that it is made to be a large piece. x

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  2. I'd be tempted to just reduce the size by removing the damaged area & make it into a smaller quilt - either a lap quilt or for a child's bed.
    Jayne (throwing a spanner in the works!)

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  3. Hi Tracey, I wouldn't cut this up either, because I'm not sure you'd get decent cushions (from what I can see from the photos). The piecing goes right to the edge of each block which means you'd cut off the points of the design if you cut it up. Also, if the blocks are on point, you are not going to be able to make a cushion which sits square and with the design upright. Jayne's idea is good though, to maybe make it a smaller quilt if you can, depending on the damage and where it is (smallest quilt tends to be cot size, approx. 40" x 48"). That said, you may be better to try to sell it with the damage, to someone who either likes it as it is or has the skills to mend it. (That saves you the sewing!!)
    Hen x

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  4. It's really lovely - someone has laboured hard over that! I agree with others' comments, that it would be better to try and keep it as a quilt, but reduce the size by cutting off the damaged section. You find some wonderful things!

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  5. I agree with Viv and Hen. Don't cut it. I think someone would buy it as it is and then they can do with it what they want?

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  6. Hi Girls, you are all right, and Hen especially so, as the points are in a diamond shape. I didn't really want to cut it up but wonder how long I will have to wait for the right person to come along, as happens quite often to me at the moment I am paying too much for really nice fabrics and thought that cushions might earn me a little bit out of it, especially as they are apparently very popular at The Dairy House Costume & Textile Day, for which I need some super duper things!

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  7. I would chop it as it looks so lovely as it is. Scarlett x

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  8. I might be the right person!
    Overall size...size of the squares and how many...how extensive the damage...and price :))
    xx

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  9. I wouldn'y chop it either it really is beautiful i would maybe try and repair the damage by removing it. good luck dee x

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  10. Hi Tracey

    Back from Oz - Gorgeous fabric - cut off the damage, finish the raw ends and sell it as it is.
    If you need to take out some good fabric to square it up - frame it or make perfumed sachets.

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