Quilt restoration-need contacts please!!!

I flipped through my lists, and have not come up with anything you are likely to want.

The best restoration place is clear over in South Salem, and they are not cheap. They do do everything from medieval tapestries to your great- grandmothers wedding gown to your garage sale quilts, or at least they did last I knew.

You might want to ask around at any museums or folklore centers nearby. An actual good bet might be to ring up the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester and ask who restores their dolls, and then get in touch and see if they have a specialist who does the ragdolls, and doll's costumes. It just strikes me as a good jumping off place to finding somebody. Of course any reason at all is a good one to visit the Strong Museum. (G)

Your friend might talk with a quilt appraiser. She may know who does restoration well!

Your friend should give some thought to how much restoration and repair she is willing to accept before the quilt no longer 'speaks' of her dear mother. Food for thought.

Pat in Virginia

A few years back, my DMIL had water damage at her home following a roof leak. It was one of those slow leaks that you don't notice until the walls and floor get stained - it had gone on for months without her realizing it. Right under the main part of the leak was DMIL's hope chest. You guessed it - the linen and fabric contents of the chest were completely ruined. One of the items was a wonderful old quilt made by her great-grandmother. It was badly water-stained, and also stained by the wood of the chest. It was moldy, and had HUGE holes in it (you could drop a basketball through them). It was basically unrepairable. DMILrealized this, and was ready to toss it but then asked me to look at it. Everysingle block except two had really, really bad damage to it. After having a couple of people look at it and shake their heads, I ended up cutting out the only two blocks that were not damaged or stained, leaving about an inch all the way around. I serged the edges, and then had each block framed. I presented one of the blocks to DMIL and the other to my DH. DMIL was thrilled with this, and so happy that at least this little bit gread-grandma's quilt was saved and now preserved.

-Irene

How lovely, Irene. And perhaps for them so much better. Precious, precious to have a block unchanged and under frame to cherish and treasure. Polly

"IMS" >A few years back, my DMIL had water damage at her home following a

Lots of grea ideas, Ladies! I did eventually give my friend the phone # of the local LQS here in my area. She will call them, as I would think someone from the store is in a guild and would be able to direct her to a restorer or appraiser. many thanks!!

amy in CNY