You are here:

Crochet/damaged crochet spread

Advertisement

Expert: Patricia - 2/23/2011


Question

Damaged crochet
I have two damaged crochet spreads (I honestly don't know if they are bedspreads or table spreads).  I bought these at a flea market thinking I might be able to use parts of them in some way, but for the life of me I am stumped.  On the one shown in the picture, it almost seems like someone tried to wash it and it just came apart, but I have no way of know.  There are several very damaged places, but there are also large areas where all the work is intact and appears strong.  I have tried to show examples of both. This particular piece is approximately 7' square (I don't want to stretch it out by myself for fear of further damage.)

Is it possible to cut someof these sections out and repurpose them?  I have had these for several years and am determined to finally do something with these or find someone who might be able to. Can you tell me what you think it's original purpose was?
Thank you for any help you might offer.
I do simple crochet work, mostly yarn, I do sew.

Answer
Hi Portia,
Usually a bedspread would be much larger than a tablecloth.  It looks like this thread crochet, so I have a couple of suggestions for repurposing.  
As you know you can't just cut crochet like you do fabric because it will unravel.  However, you cut it and bind the edges.  If you use a thin strip of fusible adhesive along the edges, it'll keep it together.  This could be tedious so you should practice on a scrap.

I've seen antique pieces of crochet framed with beautiful matting.  I've also seen pillows covered with crochet.  Say, for a 12" pillow, you'd sew the crochet to a solid color fabric.  Sew that to another piece of fabric and stuff in a pillow form.  Since you sew, I'm sure you're familiar with making pillows.  Adding cording around the pillow might help clean up the edges.

Another is to use it for the fronts of photo albums.  I buy clear vinyl (used for table cloths I think) at the fabric store and cover the crochet piece with it for the album cover and then sew lace or some other type border around it.

In the areas where the crochet is coming undone, you can either put fusible webbing under those places if you make a pillow, or you can cut appliques and sew over them.  Perhaps crochet small flowers and put over them.  On the other hand, if you're framing an old piece of crochet, those areas add to the antiquity and charm of it and can be left alone.  Same with the clear vinyl.

Good luck. Let me know what you come up with.  I'd love to hear from you.

-Patricia  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentI sincerely appreciate the information. These are all good ideas. I especially like the idea of framing sections. If I manage to do this well or come up with another idea, I would love to let you know. Thank you again for your help.


  • Add to this Answer
  • Ask a Question

Patricia

Expertise

Traditional Crochet and Filet Crochet (not clothes) I do more thread crochet than yarn.

Experience

I have been crocheting for over 50 years. As a child growing up in New Orleans, LA, I had aunts and older cousins who taught me, but now they are all gone and sadly, there is no one who crochets in my area. I hope to be able to meet fellow crocheters through this website, and I'd be delighted if I could help someone answer a question. I'm sure I'll be asking my share, also. I specifically enjoy doilies and afghans. I really like designing filet crochet. I don't make clothes, other than hats and scarves.

Education/Credentials
I learned as a child in the 50's from aunts and older cousins.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.