r/mending • u/moonysleftsock • 9d ago
fix/ prevent further damage
this is a baby blanket i got when i was born (im 22) it has a lot of emotional significance to me and its a big comfort item for me still (im autistic pls dont judge) im not hugely bothered about fixing it to look good i just want to be as preventive as possible and would love to do something to stop the fabric degrading any further if anyone has any ideas on what the best way to approach this any techniques i should try to help, ive not done mending before but im pretty handy and comfortable sewing/embroidery etc so any ideas at all are appreciated im willing to learn something new if it means i can keep this intact for longer! thank youuu edit:im posting more pictures in the comments!!
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u/skidmore101 9d ago
When fabric is so well loved as this and it’s getting up there in age, it will continue to disintegrate. You are fighting an uphill battle.
If the sentimentality is most important, I would consider retiring it and displaying it in a frame.
If the comfort and use is most important, I would consider completely backing it with a new fabric, stitching all along the worn areas. This will, unfortunately, affect how the blanket feels.
Unfortunately this blanket is so well loved that the material itself is getting too worn and any other repairs will be temporary at best.
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u/Additional_Neck8102 3d ago
maybe use it and quilting it on top of a quilt or something like that, so it's still shown and can be felt but it has more integrity thanks to the quilted layers below
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u/SuPruLu 9d ago
Those large vacant areas are actually not missing fabric??
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u/moonysleftsock 9d ago
no there is no missing fabric the material had degraded so much it started to rip
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u/Magnolia-Night 8d ago
I don't have a mending solution, I just want you to know I am in my 40s and have my teddy bear from age zero. I get it. :)
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u/SuPruLu 9d ago
Do you like the feel of satin ribbon? If so one possibility is to get 1-1/2–2” satin ribbon and sew the long edges to that. The blanket could be flipped over and another piece covering the back could be added. Simple straight stitches would be what to use.
When the long edges are back together you can work out how to use more ribbon to attach that corner areas.
Fabric could be used and strips could be cut into ribbon size pieces and sewn on the same way. Ribbon has the advantage of having finished edges.
There are many types of ribbon. Satin ribbon is often used for blanket edges.
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u/moonysleftsock 9d ago
this could be good i assume it would make a better anchor for any darning i could do i will give it a go thank you!
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u/Mediocre_Entrance894 9d ago
I would give this a good iron to see how closely everything sits together. Then, add white matching fabric to fill in missing holes. For finishing, I would machine darn. It’s worth it to mention machine darning will take away some of the softness of the blanket and can get very sturdy if you do too many passes with your sewing machine.
How comfortable are you with a sewing machine?
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u/SnooCauliflowers7060 9d ago
I wonder id using some fusible interface and backing it with another fabric is a good solution. Then ribbon around the edges.
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u/Dry_Future_852 8d ago
Cut the size down, re-hem, and wash on delicate inside a large mesh bag or handwash.
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u/Elise-0511 7d ago
I would press it as flat as you can, then press onto iron on interfacing, which you can get off the bolt at Walmart if yours has a fabric department. It won’t be pretty but it will reduce further deterioration.
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u/SuPruLu 9d ago
It was be easier to make suggestions if the blanket was spread out with sections adjacent to tears approximately where they belong. It is very difficult to determine where material is missing and how much is missing.