Heartbreaker

I purchased this antique double wedding ring quilt as a possible restoration project, but mainly to save it, as it was being sold as a cutter. Since it has no rips or frays it seemed like the thing to do, but now that it's arrived I'm pretty sure it's a lost cause.

The big problem with this quilt is color migration from two of the fabrics. The bright yellow and green solids have bled their dye all over the quilt, aka a quilter's worst nightmare.

The reason why the fabrics bled is a mystery. From the shape and position of the dye migration spots it's possible that the quilt was subjected to damp while being stored. It's weird how only those two fabrics bled -- almost as if a chemical or bleach were responsible -- but I don't smell anything from the quilt itself. I'm seriously puzzled.

It could be that the two fabrics simply weren't colorfast, and the quilt was folded and put away damp after its first washing. There were no color catchers to throw in the wash back in the forties when this quilt was made. Shame.

There's no batting to the quilt, so the dye bleeds show plainly on the backing.

Despite the obvious problems the hand quilting on this piece is charming. I hate seeing something made with such love turn into a heartbreaker. Anyway, it's not a lost cause to me. I'm going to soak and spot treat it, wash the quilt, and see what happens (can't make it worse at this point.) Even if I can't correct the problems, I'm happy to keep it.