Blankie lives to see another day

Recently, Mimi wrote a post about the pros and (mostly) cons of commission work and I jumped right in to leave a comment that my experiences and feelings pretty much echoed hers.  So imagine my surprise when only a few days later, I was approached to do a restoration and found it to be an irresistible challenge.  It wasn't a quilt, but it definitely was patchwork.  The request was framed like this..."Aunt Jan?  Do you think you can do anything to save Blankie a little longer?"

When you are considering such a request, it is important to ensure that you and the client understand what is being asked and to establish reasonable expectations.  I was long acquainted with Blankie, but we hadn't seen each other in years.  A mom and one, maybe two, grandmothers had left their imprint on it (him?) through tucks, embroidery and binding in various efforts to lengthen its life.  But clearly, Blankie was on its last legs.  I tentatively questioned my 10 year-old niece.

• *Do you want new binding?*    You don't have to...it didn't have binding at the beginning.
• *Do you want me to try to keep your name on it?*    Can you? It's ok if you can't. But could you save it for me so that I can frame it?
• *Do you want patches on some of the holes if I can manage it?*    Sure, that's ok. Gram put a heart on it but you can only see a little of it here on the edge, under the binding Mom had to put on when the edges got ragged.
• *I might have to cut some of the worn edges off...would that be ok?*    Oh sure. I don't care if it's smaller.  As long as it's still Blankie.

And so it was that entrusted with Blankie, I returned home from Cincinnati two weeks ago to ponder the task ahead.  After wandering fabric store aisles and considering various restorative possibilities, in the end I purchased two colors of closely matching cotton thread and a package of pink satin binding, deciding to try to keep it as close to original as possible.  I washed it, after first checking with *mom* to make sure this wouldn't in any way destroy its blankie-ness (*sniff sniff*.)  And then I pulled out the scissors.

First I lopped off all of the edging and then carefully detached the embroidered name.  Actually, first I took a deep breath.  Cutting into someone's Blankie isn't easy!

Hmmm.  I decided my best approach would be to whipstitch the raggedy edges under (as well as possible) to stabilize the name enough to applique onto a background.  Then, using a piece of blanket fabric from one of the trimmed off edges as a background piece, I appliqued the name down with a tiny blanket stitch to hold in any stray edges.  Using 100% cotton thread, I first ran it through a wax chunk to add a bit of strength, avoiding the cutting effect of using a stronger, poly-cotton thread.

I then cut an oval paper template around which to form the name patch before applying to the blanket.

At this point, I needed a break and the project needed a bit more pondering.  We headed to Michigan for a beach day, followed by several days in Chicago which was intended to be a househunting trip but somehow turned into a shopping spree for everything from gifts for Japan to serious fall wardrobe enhancement.  (Funny how that happened.)  I returned mid-week, reinvigorated with the Blankie deadline pressing in on me, only to have my sewing focus thrown off by house related activity (ending in a Big Nothing.)

SO!  Pedal to the metal time.  I attached the new satin binding to the remaining blanket center and then hand appliqued the name patch diagonally in one corner.

Our post office closes at 2:00pm on Saturdays and this had to be in the mail today so I was up early in the sewing room, facing the last challenge, the worn-through holes remaining in the body of the blanket.  It's probably difficult to see in my photos...sorry, no waiting for a sunny day to shoot the perfect shots on this project...but the blanket fabric is a soft flannelly twill.  When it was new, it was much firmer, but now it's quite worn, literally melting away from love.  So how to repair the large holes without further weakening the fabric?

At first I considered just bonding a patch to the blanket, but when I tried a scrap sample, the raw edges of the fabric patch were still somewhat shreddy, despite the bonding.  I considered adding a blanket stitch around the edge, but then was confronted with the problem of where and how to hide the thread ends?  So much for that.

I ended up thread-darning the three holes, then pressing a circle of WonderUnder over each darned area.  After peeling off the paper, I cut three heart patches (again, from the trimmed off blanket edges) leaving a 1/4" seam allowance around each.  I then appliqued the hearts over the stabilized holes, following each application with a firm hot press of the iron, which adhered the center of the hearts to the blanket for a little more support.

Tick, tick, tick...

a quick final shot...

and that's a wrap!  Because anyone who has to celebrate her birthday on September 11 should at least have her Blankie, don't you think?

*** I decided to include so many detail shots because I couldn't find any information about repairing such a well-loved item and thought my experience might be of some help to someone out there facing a similar dilemma. Not because they are particularly fascinating!  As usual with my photos, you can click any of them for a larger view.   

Comments

[Abby]

It's beautiful again. I can't believe that you were able to save the name.

[Anita]

That is so sweet! And what a beautiful restoration job.

[amy]

This is the most magnificent blanket restoration I've ever seen! I just did a little bit of crochet to shore up my daughter's "b" (I still say that this was her first word)--her great grandmother would be appalled with the job I did, but at least I can now wash it without fear that it will completely unravel. Your detail shots will be a great help to many blankie restorers!

[Mika]

You did an amazing job-that blanket looks wonderful now! I have a couple of blankie lovin boys in my house so I'll definitely keep your ideas in mind!

[Cara]

You are my hero. My blankie is definitely beyond repair (and that's okay - I still sleep with it every night anyway) but just knowing there are people out there like you - people that understand just how important blankies are - well, that just makes me feel safe. Kind of like my blankie! THANK YOU!

[Lauren]

So sweet! And interesting to see your techniques for this kind of project

[Dana]

Oh my gosh....what an incredible job you did restoring that well-loved blankie!!! You deserve a round of applause!

My mother's birthday is also September 11. I remind her occasionally that it was her special day first, long before it became known for something else.

[Carrie]

Wow, you did a fantastic job!

[Kristin]

Oh Jan, what a loving thing to do. I would never have guessed you could have taken the first photo and ended with the last! Beautiful!

[Katie]

Wow. That's a fantastic transformation! My DIL's birthday is 9/11, I suppose I should ask her if she has a blankie. You never know!

[Anina]

Wow! It turned out great!

[LaurieG]

You did a FABULOUS job! Thanks for the "how-to" as well.

[Cathy]

I love blankey restoration stories. :^) Lovely job. The Blue Blog has featured stories of repair of her sons' knitted blankeys.

[debbi]

Great job, Rachel will be very happy. I have fixed my sons many times and he still loves it.

[myra]

No, It was totally fascinating! And it came out incredible. Really really fabulous job Jan.

[africankelli]

Oh Jan! What a beautiful and sweet thing you have done. I'm sure she will cherish it, and with any luck, her children will one day too. Bravo!

[Jane Ann]

Your niece certainly knew exactly who was the woman for the job. Masterful (and brave) work = an absolutely delightful metamorphosis! Thanks for the photo walk-through. The only picture missing is one of the recipient's face when she opens it up.

[Tonya R]

You did an amazing job. How sweet you are.

[mathea]

You did a great job! And now Blankie will be even more precious for your niece with all the love you have stitched into it.

[lori]

Having seen blankie myself, I am totally amazed by that restoration. No doubt what Rachel's favorite birthday gift is THIS year!!

[Hedgehog]

What a labor of love! Thanks for sharing the process with us!

[Sarah]

What an amazing gift to help restore her blankie. My little boy is very, very attached to his "dandy", and so far it is holding up well. (Crossing fingers).

[Dani]

Wow, what a fantastic restoration job! I would think that must be one of the most satisfying kind of commission project. This has inspired me to pull my blanket out and fix it up!

[mimi k]

You did such a beautiful job- there was so much love added! Not your run of the mill commission work :-)

[Annie]

"As long as it's still Blankie."

That says it all, doesn't it? Beautiful work, Jan.

[caro]

Great job, it's beautiful again!
My brother has a serged square of the original satin binding from his blankie that he carries in his wallet. He turns 40 this year. May this blankie be as well loved; it's certainly on its way.

[Lynn]

OMG Rachel is going to be SO happy!! You did a wonderful job. It looks brand new!!! Absolutely beautiful work.

[Cindra]

What a wonderful job you did! I have my husband's old hand pieced, hand quilted baby quilt! Well worn... care to take a try at repairing?

[Emily]

YOU SO TOTALLY ROCK!!! I have a blankie restoration I need to do. It is pressing one me because I can't wash the thing until I fix it, and it's scary how much it needs washing. You have inspired me to get started!!

[Kathie]

You did a great job--you HAVE to be the favorite aunt.

We have a 25-year old blankie around here too, but it was crocheted from the most god-awful acrylic yarn--red, white, and blue variegated. No mending needed--it will no doubt still be intact when it's pulled out of a hole by archaeologists ten thousand years from now.

[Chris]

Wow, you did an amazing job!!

[Jessica]

How wonderful. My blankie fell apart and fell apart and now I have just a few shreds to remember it by. Your niece is very lucky.

[Aleta]

Nice work Jan!- wish I had more time to catch up - but your post reminded me of how my late mother-in-law would "mend" family tablecloths,napkins etc.- they held so many memories she couldn't bear to part with them.
I'm lucky to have inherited some of the "cloth" that meant so much to her. I'm sure Rachel will be thrilled. Have a great trip to Japan and a fun visit with Molly!

[Ruth]

You did an incredible job ... Rachel is going to love it.

[kathy]

This is fabulous. Brought a huge smile to my face. I've had several rounds of blankie repair. Caitlin required a completely new blankie which I made and then sewed the shreds of the original to the surface. I laugh everytime I see those 12 year old threads. I also did a repair for a friend that didn't sew. They both had tears in their eyes as her daughter clutched the newly mended version. You did a fabulous job. Fortunately they stop dragging it around so much as they get older so it should hold ;)

[Thimbleanna]

Wow Jan. What a beautiful job. Lucky, lucky Rachel!

[susan]

you truly are an artist and wonderful aunt to take on that task! did i mention magician too? what skills jan what skills!
bravo!

[keri]

That was amazing to read- great job!

[Fanny]

You are a goddess!! The whole thing brought tears to my eyes.

Goodluck finding new digs in Chicago. I grew up there and it is a wonderful place.

[Scribbles & Bits]

Awesome repairs! Thank goodness for the love (and mad skillz!!!) of an aunt!

[Julie]

Jan, that is AWESOME!!! We are a family of blankie lovers and this brings tears to my eyes. (One of my younger sisters is almost 30 and still sleeps with the remains of her blankie!) These tips will surely come in handy as Maddie has a blanket similar to this that she sleeps with every night.

[Kathy]

o my gosh - I cried at just the thought of your loving handwork (at work too)! Incredible job and I am amazed at your applique job - beautiful. I'm sure it will be appreciated.

[Leslie]

You did an awesome job on a nearly-impossible project. The blanket is once again adorable!

[Christine]

You are a sewing superhero!!!! A magician with the needle! I echo absolutely ALL of the accolades in these comments and add that I will be HAPPY to return as your lucky niece in our next life!!!

[mrsmandab]

You did such an amazing job. I cannot thank you enough for sharing it, because, as you stated, it is very difficult to find instructions for this. Seeing how a skilled expert handles such a situation is priceless, so thanks again! Beautiful!

[Kevin!]

Quite touching; I'm sure Rachel will be thrilled. And you're such a great writer!

[Lisa]

Jan, you are the sweetest genius saving your niece's blankie! I wish someone had attempted to save my Rippy. Rippy was once a lovely white blanket with a lamb applique and wide satin binding. Now I have to periodically have to rescue it from my handyman who thinks it must surely be a cleaning rag...sigh.

[Stephanie]

Nice job--I would have found that very nerve-wracking. This is someone's treasure, after all! Attagirl!

[samantha]

i love what you did with the blankie it was really sweet and the hearts were a lovly touch

[Mymsie]

What a thoughtful, loving thing to do! Your handiwork is beautiful :)