Well, I’ve been at it again. Between the Autumn Jubilee quilt along, sew along and stitch along, I have had three more repairs in the works. I’ve had to turn down two more as being just too much for me right now, and I got yet another inquiry this week. The last one was finished this past week, and was a bit more extensive than originally thought. The hole in the quilt you can see to the right of the green disintegrating patch has already had its backing appliqued on the back side before I loaded the quilt on the longarm to do the appliques on the top. I put a scrap of batting on the hole, then proceeded with the top applique.
The owner said there were some strips that needed to be appliqued over, and about 12-15 patches to be done too. But when I got the quilt, I counted 33 patches right off that were too far gone to save. I had already appliqued over the grey sashing in the middle of the quilt when I decided to take some photos. Honestly, I just didn’t think this one was any different than the many I have shown before.
There were a lot of large patches that needed to be appliqued over.
Simple, just cut a square, fold the edges under and top stitch in place. Easy enough, just time consuming. Here I did several in a row, then went back and machine stitched some quilting on top of the appliques to mimic the hand quilting in the original squares.
On one of the nine patch blocks, only the lighter fabric was disintegrating.
It was easier and faster to make a nine patch rather than try to applique five tiny squares.
In some areas, to preserve the original fabric, I would stitch down a tear with a zigzag stitch rather than cover the whole thing.
More large squares needed repair in this section, and it was faster to make a four patch and cover four at once, then do the quilting through them.
Repairing well loved quilts isn’t difficult, but for those who cannot sew, it is a valuable service. I have developed my Well Loved Quilt Repair into a Zoom class for guilds and those who would like to learn to do this in order to start or expand a business. I truly need at least two or three more people to refer to, as I get too many inquiries to do on my own. My previous referral partner cannot take any more, so I am back to needing new people. You need to have a website, blog or facebook page where potential clients can see your work and have a method to contact you. It doesn’t have to be repair work that you show, just something to show your skills. If you already have the skills and a repair service, please let me know that you’d like referrals.
I have pulled together my tips and tricks, organized the program according to the types of repairs, and a discussion on how to approach almost every problem you will see. Everything from small holes, and dog chewed corners up to major damage is covered, with advice on starting your own repair business. The program runs about an hour and 15 minutes with question and answer time to follow. If you are in a guild, see my Speaker Programs page for a contact form.
If you’d like to begin a new business doing repairs, have some quilting experience and would like to take my class as a stand alone class, please comment with the day of the week and time you’d like best. The class will be held on my Zoom account, and will cost $30, which you will make back on your first quilt. Five students are needed to make the stand alone class.
Are you interested in a quilt repair class? Do you already do repairs and would like to be on my referral list?
From My Carolina Home 
Very interested in quilt repair class. My schedule is flexible.
I would like to take the class. I am a beginner “10 years of doing my own but 1 year of others”. I’m not sure when is the best time for me so i can try to work around others schedules.
What a much needed service you provide Carole……labor intensive and I know you do it with love.
I’d love to take your class Carole; but do you need a longarm for this? I do all my own quilting on my Janome 7700.
No, I do most repairs on my domestic. I will use my longarm when it is easier, but it isn’t necessary to have one.
I would be interested in being on your referral list. Have done quilt repair for several years. Mine is done mostly by hand if that is a request. I’m in Oklahoma so it might help as well. Let me know what info you want.
Good- Mondays are not good, but I can arrange any other day.
If you lived in Michigan I would be bringing you my quilts! But I might have to try a patch thing. We’ll see. Chances are I’d mess it up more than help it!
I live in Michigan! If I take Carole’s class I’ll be available!
I’m interested in the class. I’m available most days except Wednesday, that’s my quilt guild day.
I am interested in taking your class. I have a couple of quilts I am trying to repair and I find your blog posts very helpful. Weekends are best for me since I work full time, but I can do a week day with lots of notice to take a vacation day.
I’m very interested in your class Carole, although to be fair, not to go into business, but to learn how to repair a beloved quilt of my great great aunt’s that I have and treasure. I’ve wanted to repair it for some time but every time I look at it, I’m not sure about the best way to start and what fabrics to use to replace/cover the ones that are tearing. I’m retired so am flexible for dates and time.
This is a class I would love to take! Any day after noon is usually clear for me except for the third Thursdays of the month. Thank you for offering this class!
I am very interested in the class! For now, I’d like to take it so I can repair a quilt from my grandmother and a couple of other antique quilts I’ve acquired. I’m a long time sewer, but new to quilting. I work remotely so my schedule is relatively flexible, except for the week of Nov 28-Dec 5: I’ll be in Las Vegas supporting Miss Rodeo Texas at the Miss Rodeo America pageant 🙂
Hello Carole
I’ve been quilting for 25 years and I’ve repaired a few quilts I would love to take a class.
I have my husband’s grandmother’s quilt from MO and I wondered if you can repair it.
Thanks! Love your blogs.
Julia White
You are truly blessed with the patience of Job. I think your repairs are almost magical. Thank you for sharing!!
I would be interested in taking your class. I think the repairs you do are amazing!!
Brilliant idea for a class. Looks like people are really starting to know to go to you to help restore their well loved quilts.
I am very interested in taking a Zoom class, Carole. My schedule is pretty flexible. I just need enough notice to ask for the day off. Thanks.
Carole, I will get back to you after I have my knee scoped on Wednesday. I’ve got one client that wants me to estimate fabric so I can reupholster her 2 chairs and an outdoor couch and another one waiting until I’m recovered to teach her how to repair her Grandmother’s quilt. I’ll take before, during, and after pics. Michele
Very interesting, never thought to just make a new 9 patch and applique it on top. Enjoyed reading.
I’ve been interested in this class since it was announced. Happy to join when a date is set.
I would be very interested in taking your class. Thanks..Char
Hi Carole – I would be interested in a Zoom class. best, mary.l.
I’m interested in your class. I have two quilts that I need to repair for a customer.
I don’t know why it says I’m commenting as Cindy L. I’m actually Coleen O’Kane. My email is coleen.okane@gmail.com
I’ve been repairing and revising quilts for several years. Among other repairs I’ve appliqued and quilted new blocks over quilt photos the owner didn’t want on the bed, turned a huge hundred-year-old quilt with six central plain blocks into two wall hangings, and finished a quilt someone’s Grandma abandoned in 1971.