A customer has 50 year old llama quilts that are tearing and need to be restored. They are quite unique designs, fully lined, and beautifully made. The sometimes small seams are tearing at the original stitching line. Is there a way to fuse these together with a backing of some sort so that more tiny holes for stitches will not be introduced ? I am a decorator, so I am not familiar with the techniques used to prepare these pelts to begin with. Is there also a way to restore some suppleness to the hide that is becoming a bit brittle ? It would be a shame to see these works of art continue to deteriorate in a closet. For the most part, they are not badly torn; but we hope to prevent further damage, and restore what has already happened.
Barbara, When we restore some of the older rugs we first have to remove all the old felt. We find a lot of times that the hide has dry rotted and falls apart looking at it. What we do then is carefully hot glue felt to the whole underside of the hide. This will hold the hide intact and will make the whole skin flexible again. We then add on the new felt layers. Hope this might help
Thank you very much, Len. The felt backing you speak of I assume can be ordered in large enough width .... These quilts have no backing at all at the moment, except for the lining sewn only around the perimeter. These were originally crafted by the natives. Would the glue be applied to the entire surface of the backs ? or just the seams? Of course , my next question is if you can put me in touch with someone who can do this professionally ? I would hate to put my novice hand to these beautiful pieces and possibly make a mistake.
Never having done this before, my confidence is not at peak.
In our area there are a few professionals, but they do not handle restorations, and most tanning is shipped elsewhere to be done.
Any information you can transmit to me will be invaluable. We are located in the Adirondack Park of N.Y. where rural is the rule. Towns are few and far between, making it a bit difficult to find services.
Thanks so much,
Barbara
i did a bear rug that came to me like i jig saw puzzle. removed all backing and get some tri poylimar roofing you should be able to get it in a gallon for around $30.00. patch all holes where it could run thru and paint a coat on then press in some nylon screen try to find some with holes a litte bigger than normal screen. then repack it, it will bring bark a liitle pliability to it but always remember nothing is forever
The best way to restore is to open one side of linning and turn inside out. Get some liquid laytex rubber cement. (mold builder) in a pint or qt. Get a light color pig suede 1 oz. or 1.5 oz. Take a small glovers needle and cotton thread and sew holes together 1/4 inch or larger stiches to hold in place. Cut a piece of the pig suede to cover area sewn at least 1" on each side of tear. Spread the rubber cement on the suede side of pig with a finger so you get a smooth cover. Lay on sewn area and press down. In a couple of min. you go on to the next rip. If the pelt is not oily this repair will be stronger then the orignal leather. Most of the Llama rugs are alpaca and not Llama. I have repaired 100 or more this way and none have come back. This works on all types of furs and leather. If used to repair a leather jacket skip the sewing but hold the seam closed you see almost no rip if you are careful. When done you can rub the cement off your fingers. This was taught to me bu a furrier 25 years ago. I have had garments still soft and plyable that long. Most other cements and glue will rot the leather. Hot glue comes out at a coupl of hundred degrees. I have seen several ming coats ruined with hot glue.Good luck and have fun.