Working towards a finish, in the picture above you can see that I have attached (by machine) all the vines, the leaves, the yo-yo’s and the two vintage ribbon bows.
This is the top of the quilt as I began to shape the ribbon streamers.
And this is how it looks with the ribbon machine stitched in place. I used a very tiny zig-zag. My needle thread is a Wonderfil Specialty Threads product called Deco Bob. It’s a wonderful 80 weight thread that can and usually does take on the color of the fabric beneath. You’ll find a link to their website below:
I intentionally used an old worn ribbon to fashion the bow.
What’s going on in the picture above? I am stitching out 6 machine embroidery Free Standing Lace butterflies. I have intentionally chosen a thread color that is very similar to the light ivory fabric of the quilt top. I want them to blend in rather than stand out.
You can find this beautifully digitized design at: https://www.emblibrary.com/EL/default.aspx
Have you noticed this beautiful old quilt is quilted with blue thread? You will also remember that everything I’ve added has been done by machine. I intentionally chose a matte finish light ivory bobbin thread so as to not to be distracting. In the pictures below you can see how my quilt front repairs do not distract on the back of the quilt.
I had thought that I might add vintage mother-of-pearl button clusters here and there around the quilt top but decided they were not needed.
It’s finished! After binding in the same fabric as the vines this beautiful vintage repaired quilt took a trip through the washing machine and the dryer. This quilt began its life as a utility piece and it can and will continue to be a serviceable and well used piece!
It was my honor to pay tribute to the original quilt maker by saving her beautiful work. I can only hope that the things I’ve done to her creation would make her smile. ❤️
Blessings to all and of course: happy quilting!
Rhonda Dort 
It’s beautiful! I love your use of the fsl butterflies.
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So amazing! Thanks for sharing your process of saving this quilt. I learn something new every time I read your blog posts.
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Thank you, Rhonda, for another save. You are an inspiration to me.
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It does my heart good to see this beautifully restored quilt! Thank you for your preservation of beautiful vintage quilts and linens! I love your work!
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🙂❤️
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This is a masterpiece. I bet the original maker of this quilt would smile knowing you gave it back its life but even better. I would love to snuggle up in this quilt.
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🙂❤️
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Another job well done, Rhonda.
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Just gorgeous!!
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I have probably 3 vintage butterfly quilts very similar to this one. They are in excellent shape but now I’m thinking I want to find another so I can fix it up. This quilt is just gorgeous.
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🙂❤️
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I am amazed by your workmanship.
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🙂❤️
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I am always impressed with how you save these beautiful old pieces! Each quilt has a story, and I love how you add new chapters to them. The original maker must surely be smiling to see her work have new life and continue to be loved!
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🙂❤️
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Oh my, just gorgeous. It would have taken me twice as long to do these improvements!
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🙂❤️
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Another wonderful save! 🥰
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Absolutely beautiful quilt. I’m so impressed with your details to renew and restore this quilt.
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Thank you! 🙂
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It turned out beautifully! I am impressed. The only thing I wonder about is the choice of ivory thread for the butterflies. I can’t find them in the overall photos – even when having an idea of where to look. IMHO, I think they deserve more attention.
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Thanks! It was my intention that the free standing lace butterflies blend in, I wanted them to be 6 fun little surprises when found. 🙂
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