Vintage Quilt Top Fix Up

Summer is here! It feels so surreal to have a daughter who has graduated kindergarten now. I can’t believe she’s getting so big! We went from a busy end of the school year and are slowing down a bit. We have lots of play dates already planned so we can spend some good time with our friends. I have been feeling better as well and working on some projects as well. Like this quilt.

About 8 years ago when I really started getting into sewing, I was all about sewing with vintage materials (still love vintage fabrics!). I loved how people were re-purposing old quilts into purses and such, so I bought this quilt top on ebay. It was worn and had holes, so it was sold as a cutter quilt (one to cut up and use for other things). So I did just that. I cut out some pieces and made things with it.

Then it just sat in my fabric pile. I was reminded of this quilt after seeing many people on instagram that I follow using all these vintage quilts. I decided that I would try to fix this one up and make it into a completed quilt. We can always use extra ones for picnics around here.

You can see where I added fabric from my stash to the places I had cut out. I grabbed some doilies that I had as well and added them on in various places. I sewed on a fabric heart and did a good amount of embroidery. I even used some bright threads to mend some holes.

I used a sheet for the backing and decided to not add a binding. That would have added more work and I also didn’t know if I could do one that would give it the look I wanted. So I just placed the sheet and quilt top together, right sides facing, and sewed around leaving a hole to turn it right side out. Then I turned it right side out, pushed in the seams at the opening, and sewed around the edge of the whole quilt.

I think finding quilt tops is a great way to create a quick quilt. I’m so happy that I ended up using this. I see it being used a lot.
-Jess