How to Repurpose Damaged Vintage Quilts
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- čas přidán 25. 03. 2023
- I repurpose damaged vintage quilts into contemporary garments and multi-use accessories. Here are some of the steps I take refashioning an old quilt into a new jacket.
Every quilt starts with a bath; after time in the tub soaking, the quilt goes into the washer/dryer. Then it's onto my workspace at NextFab (in Philadelphia) where I have access to long work tables and other equipment.
This quilt was in fairly good shape, and yielded one jacket and several maker caddies, stuff sacks, zip pouches and sling bags
Questions about making your own quilt coat? Hit me up and I can offer advice and suggestions. - Jak na to + styl
As a quilter I appreciate that you are using DAMAGED quilts.
Thanks! There’s a fine line between repairable and damaged, and I do my best to stay in the right side of that.
Years ago, when I was a child, my mother would place her quilt in a large wash tub with water and a mild soap. She then would fill the tub with water. The tub was placed in the sun so the water would get warm. Then one of the children would step in on the quilt and gently continuously stepping to agitate the quilt to squish out the dust. It took a few tubs of clear water to get it clean. We were helping Momma while we were having fun.
What a fun memory!
I remember taking afternoon baths in a wash tub outside at my grandma’s house when I was 4 - we had to wait until the sun heated the cold well water.
@@kaybutler2394 I love those old wash tubs! But I can only imagine how cold the water was initially!
❤
My great grandma hand made a baby quilt for me in 1952. It got a lot of use and wear and tear when I was a toddler. When I was an adult my mother cut it up and made a teddy bear from the good parts and gave it to me as a Christmas gift. It is my most treasured possession. I love it!
What a fabulous story (and treasured gift)!
I did the same with my husband's baby quilt about 40 years ago and the grandchildren loved playing with it, so this past Christmas I made bears for my 2 grandchildren from their great-great grandmother's handmade quilt. I made pillows and heart shaped sachets filled with lavender from the scraps gifted to family members. I loved my husband's grandmother and preserving her work for many years to come.
@@suzycreamcheese8888 such a great gift!
@@suzycreamcheese8888Great ideas. :) I make memory items for customers and clients, so I too try be creative. Thanks for sharing. 💜
Very cool use of old quilts. I would be sad cutting them up knowing the work that has gone into the making but it would be even sadder if they just got folded away into a cupboard never to see the light of day again.
Thats a great idea for washing the old quilts. I have a couple I need to do this. Thank you for sharing this tip. I hope to see more videos from you. I enjoyed your video
Thanks so much! And when washing, I try to find that balance between not wanting to ruin the quilt but also knowing that whoever purchases the coat needs to be able to easily care for it.
First time I came across a video by you, I love it!
Thank you so much!
So beautiful!! These are such gorgeous vintage jackets!! ♡♡ Thanks so very much for sharing!!
thanks so much!
Great video. Love seeing the process of washing the old quilts. Would love to see a video on how to make the jacket pattern. Your work is amazing.
I’m working on some “process” videos!
Thank you!
If you have a top load washer you could have soaked over night in the washer then drained, rinsed then washed much easier.
Agreed. I miss my top load washer, but in our new home, we can only accommodate a front load. :(
Omgoodness I love it👏👏👏
Thank you 🥰❤️😀
Fabulous use of old quilts.
Great clothing. I’ve always loved quilts, quilt making, and upcycling.
It’s fun to put your passions together!
Page, you are amazing. Toni
TY, you're so kind!
I love this❤❤ I made a coat out of my late Grams' quilt that is all tattery and worn but I love it.
isn't it the best to re-use family treasures?!
@@m.a.b.e.l ☺️❤️the best
Lovely garment.
So cute ❣️
broke my heart! That quilt was so beautiful! I would not mind quilts being cut up to make another item if they were really dog bitten, but that quilt just needed so very little to look wonderful again on a bed. I washed a quilt in a washing machine one time, the filling came out, the quilt was ruined as was the machine! Yes it was on the 'delicate' cycle.
In its day, this quilt WAS a beautiful quilt, but it had not been well cared for, and by the time it got to me, it had considerable holes throughout, the batting was clumped up in places, and prior to cleaning it, there was some mold.
When I get "cutter" quilts, I thoroughly inspect them, and those that I can restore for bedroom use, I do. A quilter myself, I want my efforts to be used and appreciated, not lumped into a closet. If that means my quilt gets remade into a table runner, a coat, potholders, or a doll's blanket, then that's fine.
I'm a quilter and have spent hours upon hours quilting. My first two were completely hand made using templates - before rotary cutters and free motion quilting. I hand pieced and hand quilted both quilts. That being said, I would like to know why it is superior to lay a quilt in a spare bedroom on a bed where it may or may not be seen or even folded and placed for display on a shelf than it is to create a beautiful garment that can be worn in public for many people to see and admire. Many years ago my mom decided to use her sterling silver flatware daily. I love this attitude. The more people that see the beauty and art in a quilt, the more it is appreciated. I have made many quilts for friends and family and kids with cancer. Once they leave my home, I never wonder if someone laid it on their bed or if they dragged it across the parking lot. It is theirs now and I hope they enjoy it. I sure enjoyed making it and that is why I quilt. So many quilts are jammed in the back of a closet. I have to admit I have a precious family heirloom in a closet myself. It does not go with my current decorating or lifestyle, it is fragile and I have a grandson whom I would not want to burden with being so careful around it. I love it and I am thinking of cutting it all up and making a quilt jacket to wear around the house. And I'm not going to apologize for it. It was given to me by my grandmother who is in Heaven and I think she would prefer I do that rather than keep it in a pillowcase in a closet. I would consider it a hug from her every time I wear it.
Beautiful!
Beautiful 💕
I’m blessed to have in my procession a quilt that belonged to my parents.
The quilt was made by my dad’s mother and was given too them as a wedding gift. In September it will be 82 years old. It is very worn and tattered.
Many years ago, I sought out to reproduce the quilt. I found reproduction prints closely matching and began hand stitching the quilt and had planned on hand quilting it as well.
Unfortunately, my mother became ill and passed away. I lost interest and have yet to pick up and finish.
The quilt block that composed the quilt, very befitting “ Brides Bouquet “.
I feel a strong connection with the quilt, though I unfortunately didn’t know my Grandmother. At the time of her passing, I was just shy of being 6 years old.
You’re so lucky to have that quilt in your family, and kudos on trying to replicate it.
Wow! Very similar story here except my parents’ wedding quilt was made by one of my mom’s aunts (my grandmother’s sister - I did not know either of them as they both died before I was born) - their quilt will be 83 years old in September, but it was rarely used and is in very good condition. I’m gifting it to their first grand daughter because I have memories of her sleeping on it on the floor when she was a baby. Momma let my oldest brother borrow it because they had no winter blankets. It was made of blue satin - solids and prints.
Love this video. Please post again.
Yes. Vertical was the best choice.❤
I LOVE IT….
Love your pattern weights.☺️ Love the jacket!
They’re pretty fun, aren’t they!
@@m.a.b.e.l What are the pattern weights? They look like metallic pin hilders.
@@dineend8335 they are-magnetic pin holders. They’re heavy enough!
love it!
Wouldn’t the horizontal bricks on one sleeve be good because it’s different to the rest of the jacket? A lot of younger people would love the quirk ❤. Brilliant video. ❤❤
You’ve got a good point…I’ll consider it next time
One summer in college I worked helping the clothing curators at a museum. I learned to sew when I was a little girl so was familiar with textiles. These people taught me what happens to old fabric as it’s reused and rewashed over the years. This is one of the reasons why I don’t use anything older than 10 years when reclaiming textiles for other uses. I also know my grandmother would haunt me if I cut into anyone’s heritage quilts.
That must have been a great experience! And it’s interesting to see how different substrates (and dyes) behave over the years.
The quilts I’ve acquired are deemed by the folks who sell them to be cutters and not suitable for their intended/original purpose. I’m not cutting into heritage quilts, and the few times I’ve received one that’s not cutter-quality (but needed only simple mending or a soak) I’ve put to use in my home.
Quilting is an interesting craft in that it traditionally involved repurposing/reuse of fabrics made for different purposes. My great-grandmother often repurposed family clothing and linens in her quilts, so I don’t think she’d be upset at all if she knew I remade my baby quilt into a knitting bag that I use every day.
Many museum quality quilts still end up in the landfills if people don't appreciate them. I have seen fabulous quilt coats made from extraordinary quilts and they can cost over $1,500.00. I would assume that most people who would pay that much, already have a great appreciation of the masterpiece quilt and would take very good care of it. Just because it is museum quality does not mean it will end up there. I am always so fascinated at the comments in videos like this one. I absolutely love hand pieced and hand quilted quilts. I come from a family of Mennonites. I have some very gifted quilters in my family. One aunt aimed for 12 stitched per inch and she quilted for a living. She quilted for some famous quilt pattern designers. I just don't understand who made it a law that a quilt laying on a bed is the only way a quilt can be appreciated. I defunded the quilt police a long time ago. Art is in the eye of the beholder. I know many highly talented quilters were not wealthy and therefore purchased fabric that was not intended to last for centuries. So, whether those types are washed or stored in a closet, they will still deteriorate and fade over time. My grandmother would love it if I used the quilt she gave me - even if I cut it up and create a beautiful quilt jacket out of it.
please don't give up on making CZcams videos... your content was very helpful with worthwhile! I've subscribed, will there be more????
Yes-working on a few now!
Love it!
Thanks!!
Great video. I just found some old quilts from my stepmothers things, not sure how old or who made them. This inspired me not to just get rid of them. The cleaning tips are very helpful. Keep making more videos!.
Another fun idea, if the quilt has squares that are in good shape, is to frame a piece or two.
Preciosos ,preciosos 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤
Wow such a fabulous video and I’m jealous of your incredible space with the wonderful industrial machines!!! I’m a quilter and (home sewing machine bag maker) i would LOVE to make a jacket or 10 for myself and friends. Your pattern seemed fairly simple, can you recommend a simple pattern for a similar jacket or vest? TYFS I subscribed and am going to check out the other videos tomorrow.
Thanks so much for the positive vibes! I have both a home sewing studio and access to a maker space where I shot this video. I'm so lucky that the maker space has this textile room, and all these industrial machines were donated by a local business moving overseas. As for patterns--check out Etsy. I've seen one on my IG feed alot: the All Well Cardigan Coat. It looks like a great project, and there are no front closures which can be difficult with thick quilts. Good luck!
I love what you made from this quilt and also appreciate you sharing your cleaning/preparation process with us. I’ve subscribed and look forward to watching more of your videos. Greetings from rural Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺 😊
Thanks so much!
可愛いジャケットに大変身❤素晴らしい👏
I have one of you bags! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Yay! I hope you’re enjoying it!
I like the pullover you wore at end of video. Do you sell items and/or take orders?
I sell them on my website (mabelstyle.com)
💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕
Thank you for this video... I have a quilt that needs special treatment
I hope you’re inspired to work on it!
楽しみにしてます。
I hope you make more videos! Also I really love the grey top you are wearing when cutting out the jacket.
The top is the Fielder top from Merchant & Mills (using their jaquard quilt fabric)
Loved this video - thank you for sharing! I have a quilt top that the long-armed messed up that I want to find a simple pattern to use for a jacket. What pattern do you use?
I made up my own pattern (traced off an old coat I love), but there are several quilt coat patterns available for purchase on Etsy.
This is great. Where can I find a free simple pattern? Wo7ld it be best to take @ coat I already have apart to get pattern?
If you have experience reverse-engineering that’d work great. Maybe check Etsy for free patterns, but beware, because free patterns may not have been tech-edited or properly graded.
I haven't sewn...in years and back then I used pins to secure patterns to the fabric. Love the fabric weights - who knew? lol
What a fun, creative, recycling hobby you've got going on! Subscribed.
What is the name of the detergent you use?
Pattern weights are a great (and easy) alternative to pins!
Love this video!! Ar you planning to make more? Please do!! @StellaQuilts
Yes! I'll have a new video on some bucket hats I made using a different quilt
Lovely jacket, may I ask how you finish the seams or is it lined ?
I use a serger to finish the seams. Since the original quilt already has three layers, I don’t line the jackets.
I wondered the same thing. I thought perhaps of French seams but they would be very thick. Overlocked (or serged) seams make sense, would be neat and all threads would be secure.
There are "summer" weight quilts that don't have batting, and maybe French seams would work with that? On one coat I made that had a fabulous lining fabric, I used bias tape to bind the seams, so the coat was reversible.
Cool video. 😊
Thank you. Your voice is soft and the music is loud so I kept having to turn up and down the volume. 😮
thanks for the suggestion--I'll work on this for my next video
I'm interested in what patterns for coats that you use? or do you make up your own?
I use my own patterns
Can you share where you can get the pattern and also do you have a step by step you tube video, love the jacket you made, do you sell them on line
I made up the pattern by tracing off a coat that I love. I do sell them online (mabelstyle.com)
What pattern are you using. This is a great idea.
I made up the pattern based on an old fishing smock I got in England years ago.
I was wondering how the seams are done. They would have 6 layers of material which would seam rather bulky.
I serge my seams before I sew; sometimes I do Hong Kong seams if the quilt is super thick.
Where can I get a pattern? Thank you for this video.
This is my own pattern (a copy of an old coat that I had). You can use a quilt in place of fabric for any coat or jacket pattern, but be aware that the thicker the quilt, you may want to size up on your pattern.
It will be a LOT easier to lift the wet quilt out of the tub if you use an old sheet to "line" the tub and lift it with. Just lift the sheet by the edges, and it's much easier than trying to wrestle with the wet quilt (and they can be quite heavy).
Agreed. I’ve also used a larger Rubbermaid tub inside my bathtub, just to keep everything contained
That is such a great idea... thank you for sharing that information!!
I would love to have one of those jackets! How to do even get a pattern for the jacket?
I made my own pattern, but you could modify any existing chore coat pattern to work
How do I make my own coat? Do you follow a pattern or use/ trace a pattern piece of a coat you already have? Thanks!
I made by own pattern by tracing a coat I really loved.
Did you make your own pattern?
Yes, I did :D
Did you serge the seams? How much do people pay?
Yes, I serge the seams. Sometimes, if the quilt lining is especially nice, I’ll do Hong Kong seams and make the jacket reversible. I charge $350 for my coats.
What pattern are you using in video?
Hi Melissa, I’m using my own pattern.
I am not familiar that mush with quilt care, but from this video I’m wondering, does this mean that you do not wash quilts? That seems kind of gross to me. Idk 🤷🏻♀️
I wash my quilts; first by hand (soaking in a tub), then in a machine. Some experts say that antique quilts should not be washed given the age of the fabric. And it is risky to put old textiles in modern washing machines.
@@m.a.b.e.l oh I see, that does make sense. Thank you for explaining it to me. I didn’t know.
Would you share your pattern?
It's not in a share-able format. I recommend looking on Etsy--there are A TON of winter coat patterns that would be suitable for a quilt coat.
Doesn't hot water set stains. Try dooing the first was in cold?
I follow the instructions on the detergents I’m using, and the one that’s worked best for me says hot water. It seems contradictory though, doesn’t it?
What is the pattern you use?
Susan, I made my own pattern, but there are TONS available on Etsy--any winter coat pattern will work nicely.
@@m.a.b.e.l Sounds like you might do well offering your pattern for sale. It is clearly popular!! I really love your work!
@@1955dmb Thank you! I"ll be doing a video soon with some pattern recommendations!
@@m.a.b.e.l So excited to hear this!!!
To those of us who are quilters cutting up old quilts we are not fond of. The are very few quilts that cannot be fixed and saved. So much more valuable than a coat and it does not honor the work the quilter did. The quilt thou used had very little damage and could have been easily fixed. Why not make a quilt to cut up?
I’m in the “quilts are lovelier out in the wild in whatever format rather than hidden in a closet” camp. Maybe the focus should be on folks selling rather those buying? Also, lots of quilts look perfectly lovely on film or in a photo. When you get up close and personal, that’s when the extent of the damage is apparent
@@m.a.b.e.l I have fixed several quiltsmand that one was not in bad shape.
Hmmm, I didn't see you standing next to me in my studio, studying the quilt. Aside from some tears and shreds, there was mold on a portion of it.
The point, however, is that this is my quilt. That I purchased. That a person willingly sold to me. So I can choose to use the quilt the way that I want to.
I am not a fan at all of cutting up quilts. 😢
I’d rather see damaged quilts get made into jackets instead of being thrown away.
Super content - terribly annoying music!