Unfinished Quilts
Finding unfinished quilts when a quilter passes is more common than you think. Many older quilters did some amazing quilts over the years with many long hours hand stitching each block to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Whether then hand-stitched Dresden plates, paper pieced flowers or made a traditional log cabin quilt, each quilt was made out of the love for quilting, and with the intention of giving the quilt, upon completion, to a loved one.
The Blocks Have Stains – What Can I do?
If you found blocks from an unfinished quilt they may be soiled from food dropping on them, coffee spills etc. Sometimes using a stain remover and a good wash will remove the stains and the quilt can be finished by sewing the blocks together, adding sashing, borders and then quilting with your choice polyester or a cotton blend batting.
What Happens If the Stains Don’t All Come Out?
In the Whimsical Dresden Plate shown here, the stains didn’t all come out, and the dye ran when they were washed. The background ‘was white’ and there were many stains. Since Kate really wanted to have her mom’s quilt finished, she asked me to work some magic and finish the quilt.
I couldn’t promise it would look perfect, but I did assure her it would be beautiful and unique when it was finished. She left it with me with hopes to have this quilt as a Keepsake from her mom.
Creating A Beauty Out Of A Mess
After pondering over the quilt blocks for a few days, I decided the white background had to go. I took my stock pot and filled it with water. When the water was boiled and a ton of tea bags and steeped the tea until it was very strong and the water looked almost black. I tea dyed each block and then transferred each block into salted water to set the tea dye.
Although this toned down the contrast between the colored blocks and the background, the dye from the blocks ran into the background and onto other blocks. The center of the Dresden plate was plain with no design and didn’t show off the all the hand-applique of the blocks.
I purchased four colors of fabric paint, permanent markers to add a design in the center of each block and a drop sheet. It was summer so I was able to use my back deck to get creative and turn the plain Dresden plates into Whimsical Dresden Plates.
Choosing The Right Color For The Border
The blocks were made up of many different fabrics and colors. Pink, blue, yellow and green were the main colors found in each block. I wanted the quilt to be bright and cheery but what color would tie all the colors together. I found this beautiful blue-based red fabric with a nice design in the fabric and added rich blue cornerstones to complete the quilt top.
Backing And Quilting
It took some time but I found a perfect printed backing to finish the Whimsical feel I had going. Pressed the quilt top one more time and loaded up my mid-arm to free motion quilt this beauty. (A larger picture of the quilt is under the quilt gallery)
Whimsical All The Way
I could have quilted the quilt with just loops, but it needed many designs within the quilting to keep with my Whimsical theme. From daisies to dragonflies to swirls to leaves and more. I added a sleeve on the top of the quilt so Kate could choose to hang the quilt or use it on a queen size bed. She couldn’t have been more thrilled with the quilt. 🙂
