The original vintage quilt (minus the raggedy outer border) hung on my design wall for over a month while I mulled over what I could do to save/repair/fix this beauty.
I’ve drawn blue lines on the what were once pale blue inner borders. I decided these faded to almost white borders would be perfect for embellishing.
Have you ever made your own bias binding? This was the first time for me and I’m telling you…it’s easy! Very easy! How much bias binding did I make? I forgot to measure before I began winding it on this small cardboard rectangle. Let’s just say I made at least 5 yards.
I cut my bias fabric strips 3/4” wide that finished 1/4” as it came out of the folding tool. At this tiny width and on the bias I knew I could easily achieve flat curves.
I did not take the time to pin before stitching, instead I just followed my pre-marked vine lines. I’m using my Open Toe (Bernina #20) foot. How did I mark my lines? Using a 6” clear acrylic round template I first marked the corners of the inner border. Yes…I forgot to take a picture but did remember a pic of the marked additional border. See the picture below.
A sliver of late afternoon sun making its appearance on the design wall. The undulating vines are finished, machine straight stitched on each edge of the 1/4” bias binding.
I have an Accuquilt and used it to cut about 80-90 leaves in 2 different sizes.
I begin placing leaves on the vine, kind of random placing, kind of not…if you have been following me for any length of time you know I try hard to design “random” but I finally had to admit I’m very “structured” 🤪
I bought a very damaged Yo-yo quilt several years ago. Over several weeks I deconstructed the quilt, soaked and then laundered the Yo-yos. Yes, I put them through both the washing machine and the dryer.
The soaking and then the laundry process worked wonders on the smell, the dirt and grime, and the stitch holes where the yo-yos were tightly sewn together.
These very clean vintage yo-yos will become my flowers. Luckily I have them in 2 different sizes, 1 1/4” and 1 5/8”.
I’m making progress. The leaves are sewn in place by machine using the Applique stitch. The yo-yo flowers are sewn using a very tiny zig-zag stitch.
Stay tuned for one more blog post in a few days, the post that will wrap up the “saving” of this beautiful soft and cuddly vintage quilt.
Blessings to all and happy quilting, Rhonda
Rhonda Dort 
I’m not seeing the part three to this. Where is is located? I am in the process of restoring a butterfly quilt as well.
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Part 3, the last blog post about this quilt has yet to be published. I’m expecting it will be available by weeks end, hopefully! Thanks for being patient! ❤️🙂
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The butterflies are so pretty, the vines and flowers just add pure happiness.
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Thank you, Rhonda, not only for saving this butterfly quilt (Most would have trashed it.) and other vintage quilts but for sharing your process with us.
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I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your progress. Thank you for sharing
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The vines, leaves, and yo-yo flowers add such charm and interest! So beautiful.
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Great use of your yoyo’s, I recently stitched some together for a small table topper, kind of a pain, so much starting and stopping. I have a question, when you did the triple stitch on the butterflies, did you use the same heavy thread in the bobbin? Thanks
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No, I used white bobbin thread.
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Imagine my delight to see your new project, as I have a bag full of the very same butterflies that I had purchased at a local flea market. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
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I am in awe once again at how you save these old quilts! The maker must certainly be smiling down on you to see her handiwork given new life!
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Thank you for this wonderful post. I also bought a really filthy yo yo quilt and after I soaked it and washed it, it sort of fell apart. I will now find it and inspect it again and maybe take it completely apart as you have done. All the ones that are just a circle now can be fixed by me while I watch a good tv show. I once bought feedsack 9 patches that were so gorgeous (eBay). I put them together and added Rick rack and leaves and flower buttons. It’s such a pretty quilt now. I was a new quilter then but it’s very pretty. I so enjoy your work on restoration of old worn quilts.
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So beautiful! It makes me so happy that you give these poor quilts a new life! I only have few repairs to make on a couple of quilts my Aunt made me and this gives me such inspiration!
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