Stitches in Time: Restoration Basics Page 2 Replacing Worn or Frayed Fabrics   It's often necessary to replace badly worn fabric pieces in a cherished quilt. Patches may fray away from wear or disintegrate from environmental damage—too much direct sun, for example. Often, the binding is worn thin along the edge from lots of use. In either case, it's best to use vintage fabrics for the closest possible match. You can often find these wonderful fabrics at quilt shows that feature antique quilt vendors, as well as at flea markets, antique shops or shows, and at vintage textile shows. If your search for just the right vintage fabric is fruitless, check at your local quilt shop for a reproduction fabric instead. In either case, pay close attention to the color, weave, texture, and age. When replacing white areas, make sure the white you choose has the same color cast—pink, blue, yellow, or grey, for example. If necessary you can tea dye a reproduction fabric to better match the fabric in the quilt. You can also try washing and then drying the fabric in direct sunlight to correct the color for a more invisible blend with other aged fabrics in the actual quilt. To replace a worn binding:   1. Choose a suitable fabric, as much like the original as possible. Cut it on the same grain—straight or bias—and wide enough to finish to the same width as the original binding.   2. Since a future owner may wish to reclaim the original quilt with its original, worn binding, it's important to apply the new binding over the existing binding. Use the same stitching method, hand or machine, as the original maker used. What About Heavily Damaged Cotton Quilts?   Some of them often look like they are beyond repair, but most can be saved. If you are doing this work for someone else, it's important to explain the process to the owner and get his or her approval before you begin (see Examples 1 through 4).   1. Carefully remove the section that is damaged beyond simple restoration.   2. Salvage any good sections of the damaged portion and use to repair damaged areas in the remainder of the quilt.   3. Rebind or finish the edges of the quilt in the same manner as the original.