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February 27, 2009

Embroidering "Cutter Quilts"

Maybe you have seen the term "cutter quilt" and don't know what that is. A cutter quilt is usually a vintage quilt that has been seriously worn. However, there are pieces of it that are still in great shape and need only a project to keep them around. Here are some good "embroidery" ideas for them.

This was a completely hand-stitched quilt and very fragile, so I re-inforced it by doing a herringbone stitch over each seam. I added an applique with Lite Heat N Bond and then stitched around it and did the embroidery inside. Then I made the piece into a book cover that I can use to document my quilting projects and keep swatches or templates for the future reference. Anything quilt related---but this could be an embroidery book, also.





You can also cut out shapes and use them as your base for your embroidery. The batting acts as a nice anchor for your stitching. Here are some examples of using cutter quilt pieces:



Hope this gives you some inspiration.

21 comments:

  1. I love these ideas. The journal looks fantastic, but I have to say I especially love the last two pieces. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Good ideas...I don't usually like to cut-up old quilts but I do have bits that I received that way. Thanks! (BTW, I'm showing an antique quilt top right today.)

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  3. I inherited some beautifu, but old quilts from my mother-in-law this is giving me some good ideas about what to do with some of them. thanks

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  4. What a great idea. I had never heard of cutter quilts before. My favorite is the Spring.

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  5. LOVE the framed pieces! I would really enjoy trying my hand at that.

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  6. wow I love that journal! You did a really awesome job!

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  7. What a bunch of fantastic ideas! I never would have thought of these!

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  8. Wowzers... wish I had an old vintage quilt so I could play with it!!! These are wonderful ideas!

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  9. I love the little framed pieces.

    I actually purchased a fabric bunny made from a very old cutter quilt. At least they survive in some form!

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  10. Very nice, thanks for posting! I love those examples and I have never heard the term before.

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  11. i keep lingering around the 'cutter quilts' on ebay, but never do anything. these are some great ideas...off i go!

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  12. This is such a fun idea :). I also love the hamsters!

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  13. I love the journal. Great ideas for recycling much-loved, but used quilts.

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  14. Great ideas! I have so many old quilts and just don't know what to do with them. I think I might give these projects a try.
    Peggy

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  15. What great ideas. I am going to link to this on my site. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Very cute projects. I have to say though, I'm horribly curious about your quilt documentation process... Can we see inside your quilt journal?

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  17. I never tried quilts but I love the idea for covering a journal! And your cover is just so beautiful!

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  18. Esther:

    I have posted some of the inside on my blog...it really is for someone else to journal, but I have illustrated it a little....
    http://shebrews.typepad.com/she_brews/2009/03/some-quilt-journal-pages.html

    Shebrews

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  19. I thikn this is such a wonderful idea! I don't know the first thing about quilts other than I like 'em. Great work.

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