Rebinding an old quilt

My former next door neighbor and I were together today. Her in-laws lived in the house next door before they moved into a senior home. Her MIL was one of the finest seamstresses and quilters I 've ever known. The MIL gave her kids a hand made quilt as a wedding gift (47 years ago). The quilt is fine, but the binding is frayed on the edges. My friend wants to replace the binding and use the quilt again. I told her I would help her do it. She is going to take the old binding off, then we'll choose fabric and i'll machine bind it for her.

Are there any pitfalls we need to look out for combining old and new fabric? The quilt itself is in good shape. I know we need 100% cotton, and prewashed/ shrunk before adding it. Other than that, I can’t foresee problems.

IF when you remove the binding the edges of the quilt underneith look good and strong you should be fine. Personally I would do two things.

Firstly use a wider binding than was on before so that you are not attaching it in the exact same place and secondly, given the age of the fabric, I would use a lighter thread than usual and put two lighter rows of stitching on for strength rather than one tough one. I did an antique fabric restoration course about 10 years ago when I needed to repair the family christening gown (circa 1780). Apart from learning NOT to attempt to touch the gown lol, I learnt that two small stitches of fine thread were worth more than one of thick or stronger thread. As you said, make sure its cotten, pre wash yarda yarda. Otherwise I think you will be fine.......obviously her mother made a strong quilt to last so go for it!

I would almost be tempted to bind over the old binding, making the new a bit wider, like Daisy said.

Never thought about binding over the old, would that make the binding too thick? We started deconstructing it and it looks strong enough to be removed and redone. I like the advice to use a wider binding. The MIL was my sewing guru while she was alive, I often wish I could dial her up in heaven to ask her questions I have-- same for my own mom!

I think I agree with Karen - I would definitely be tempted to rebind over the old binding.

Now I'm scared to send the Daisys their quilt . . .

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Originally Posted by Sandy Navas

I think I agree with Karen - I would definitely be tempted to rebind over the old binding.

Now I'm scared to send the Daisys their quilt . . .

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Why? It is a quilt made from love and wanting to support two people who are facing some real challenges with their health. And you read her insightful reply to the Polka Dot quilt discussion. She has had a lot of sewing experience, but isn't at all judgemental about what others do. I wish I had known about this when you started the project, because I have become very close to Ms. Daisy over the past few weeks.

nawwwwwwwwwwww my two bestest friends talking about me......i am such a princess!

No Ms Daisy, your the Queen.. ;-) many prayers headed your way.

Like the others I would be tempted to just redo the binding over the old binding.

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Originally Posted by Divine Daisy

nawwwwwwwwwwww my two bestest friends talking about me......i am such a princess!

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Take your pick, Princess or Queen! Judging from the royalty in England, I'd go for Princess, she's so cute! But if it's power you seek, then go for Queen!

Jean...I re-bind a lot of quilts for people. I would cut the new binding 2 1/2 inches and apply as usual. You might want to run a narrow hand basting stitch around the outside edges of the quilt before you apply the new binding just to hold everything securely. If I am going to use a print for the binding I will sometimes use the wrong side out if the quilt itself has a faded look to it. It looks more like the original binding that way. The only time I rebind over the old binding is if the quilt is in extremely fragile condition and even so the old binding would have to be really flat and not pose a bump issue. :)

Interesting thread. Glad I read this one. I haven't needed to re-bind a quilt but the day may come and now I'll know what to do. Thanks, gals!

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Originally Posted by Divine Daisy

nawwwwwwwwwwww my two bestest friends talking about me......i am such a princess!

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Do you know how much your bestest friends love you?

I don't think Jean has quite caught on that I am the local prankster and trouble-maker . . . I'll have to figure out some way to really get her . . .

I've done a few re-bindings of old quilts and I agree with what Bubby said. Good advice :)

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Originally Posted by Sandy Navas

Do you know how much your bestest friends love you?

I don't think Jean has quite caught on that I am the local prankster and trouble-maker . . . I'll have to figure out some way to really get her . . .

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Sandy, I wasn't born yesterday! I'm catching on FAST! We all need those kinds of people in our lives, keeps things interesting!