HELP! Piecing Together 50 y/o Blocks

[JenG]

My aunt gave me the Little Dutch Girl blocks she hand sewed when she was a little girl. The material she sewed them on to is very thin. I am wondering how I should prepare them for use. Should I use an iron on stabilizer? They are in excellent condition. The 50s and 60s fabric is mind blowing. My grandmother bought fabric in bulk. I remember having a couple of different tops made out of the material in the blocks. She made my tops in the 70s. It would mean a lot to me and my aunt if I can finish this for my cousin, one of her other nieces. Thank you in advance for your help.

[Bjvarizona]

Re: HELP! Piecing Together 50 y/o Blocks

I would consider using a very, very light stabilizer. But even a light weight one could seem heavy when sandwiched with batting and backing so proceed with caution!

[Murphy224]

Re: HELP! Piecing Together 50 y/o Blocks

Key word here is use "interfacing" instead of "stabilizer". Interfacing comes in fusible versions and is lighter weight than stabilizers. Pellon makes a very very thin featherweight fusible interfacing, it is almost tissue thin. I found it at Joanns. Maybe try that and with the thin fabric of the blocks, you would end up with quilting cotton weight. I would experiment before doing all the blocks. The interfacing would also help preserve the hand stitching if you decide to machine quilt it. Would love to see a picture of what you have there....
Oh and welcome to the forum. I am pretty new myself.

[grammaterry]

Re: HELP! Piecing Together 50 y/o Blocks

This project will be so wonderful and fulfilling. I think the pellon is a great idea. I definitely think that you should hand quilt it since it is so old and really get the most out of the old fabric.

[liz72703]

Re: HELP! Piecing Together 50 y/o Blocks

I would love to see some pictures of these old blocks!

[Lasykate]

Re: HELP! Piecing Together 50 y/o Blocks

Absolutely...the use of interfacing is one of the most important tools in fashion sewing.

Key word here is use "interfacing" instead of "stabilizer". Interfacing comes in fusible versions and is lighter weight than stabilizers. Pellon makes a very very thin featherweight fusible interfacing, it is almost tissue thin. I found it at Joanns. Maybe try that and with the thin fabric of the blocks, you would end up with quilting cotton weight. I would experiment before doing all the blocks. The interfacing would also help preserve the hand stitching if you decide to machine quilt it. Would love to see a picture of what you have there....
Oh and welcome to the forum. I am pretty new myself.