Repair and Restoration of Knitting and Crochet – Heirloom Lace Tablecloths, Afghans and Blankets a Specialty – NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL (FAVORITE CLOTHING & EVERYTHING ELSE) Fine Needlework Fabrics and Garments … (Current 2023)

Repair, Refurbish and Restoration Professional Services:
                              Do family cherished heirlooms or other special pieces need TLC restoration, refurbishment, or some sort of repair? for several decades now,  I have applied my expertise to textile work of all kinds — knit, crochet, many other fabrics and related genre.  Projects include pieces that are not necessarily heirlooms but are items in disrepair that are special enough that you wish to keep them but which are in need of repair.

                             All projects — small to large in size and needing minor to major work — are important to me because they are important to YOU.  It is all stimulating to me when someone has recognized the personal value of their textile that needs “help.” 

                                An important note … if you have searched “LACE REPAIR NEAR ME”, or “VINTAGE CROCHET RESTORATION”  similar words in the range of repair and restoration professionals that you need to find …  If you do not live in Maryland where I am located … I want to ease your mind … the vast, extensive field of choices on our World Wide Web provide the ability to find almost anything we are searching for — which is how you have this moment arrived on my website.  Like any other contacts, sites or services  that do not need to be in your home state in our United States, it is usually most commonly not necessary that the provider you are wanting needs to be in your back yard 🙂

                                I am a well-known professional, receiving projects very regularly from every one of our U.S.  states.  I’ve been doing this for well over twenty years now and have a stellar reputation for my repair and restoration work performed for clients from the East Coast to the West Coast.   Once a project arrives I remain highly communicative with the client, letting them know how their project is fairing on my studio grid table.  I have studied and honed the art of vintage crochet restoration as well as knitting … and multiple other needlework genres for many years.

I hope this will, then, put your mind at ease as you continue perusing this page.  It is a very long page but I’m told it holds one’s interest 🙂

How to get quote.  Please continue to scroll this post (please closely follow instructions) for a  response to your inquiry.  Be sure to scroll all the way down for additional content — lots of material to see and learn about the processes of repairing, restoring, and refurbishing.

A bit about me:
I am Susan Kerin, a nationally awarded knit and crochet designer.  My design work has appeared on the front of national yarn catalogs as well as on the front covers of nationally published “Best of” needlework books.  I’ve been knitting and crocheting since the age of ten.  I have also sewn my entire life, winning  a “Singer Sewing” contest at the age of twelve.  Sewing projects are included in my offered services.  Other background information about me is at the end of this page, keep scrolling. Vintage crochet restoration is one of my passions.

Pieces of History:  I am always excited to hear a personal family history of pieces from those fortunate to own them and who thoughtfully make inquiries to have significant needlework survive.  I am here to study vintage restoration needs.

Expertise:  The vintage restoration process includes pattern dissection, replication and seamless insertion into knit and crochet fabric, clothing, linens, heirlooms, fine garments, and other needlework genres and textiles.   Fine thread crochet lace is often a focus (bedspreads and tablecloths).  Further to the vintage restoration process, I most usually include historical information during the initial phone chat with those who have sought me out.

Knowledge:  I have a personal resource library of over 3,000 books and publications on the fine arts of knitting and related creative genres.  This is a cherished collection from which I regularly study needlework history and patterns.

The Cleaning Process is often necessary:  In many cases a piece that is supposed to be a shade of a certain color (particularly light tones from white, cream, ecru, taupe, beige, etc.) needs cleaning.  It may be darkened from age or stained toward shades of brown.  Before the multi-step washing process, important time is spent tediously inserting lifelines throughout the piece so that existing holes and breaches do not become further damaged during cleaning.  An additional result after cleaning is that the research and study of thread color leads to a more perfect match.  This is the icing on the cake that helps a seamless restorations.  On completion and return to the client, they most often say that the restored problem areas are difficult to find.

Transformation:  For any needlework or textiles piece that you may believe is unable to be fixed because you might feel that  it could be “too far gone,” often it CAN be repaired and even, often surprisingly,  fully restored.  Or, creativity takes hold … it can be transformed into something “new” when only certain amounts of the piece are viable to further its life.   YOU ARE A BIG PART OF THAT.  Brainstorming creative options are thoughtfully well-communicated in ongoing chats with you after my detailed examination.

Nationwide:  For over twenty years I’ve  worked a wide range of projects arriving on my doorstep from across our United States  where I apply my detailed study of patterns and needlework.

A Combination of Skill Sets:   Most always a combination of skills is employed.   I am able to apply  many  genres of needlework.   As well, machine sewing often becomes an element  of  a restoration or a creative transformation.    As a writer/editor, after interviewing the client about their legacy piece, I write a history page to accompany a finished project.

continue to scroll for more content and instructions for receiving a repair/restoration quote

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Testimonial

Susan did an amazing job on an heirloom lace mantilla (scarf worn in church) that belonged to my mother.  The lace had aged quite a bit and had several holes.  I contacted Susan to see if she could repair and restore the piece and she responded promptly.  She worked with me and provided various options to bring the piece back to life while managing my expectations with what can be done with old lace.  Susan helped come up with a solution to fix the holes and prevent them from spreading further.  Her work was meticulous and detailed, and the result turned out better than I could have imagined.  I was especially appreciative of the care she took with Mother’s lace, knowing how important the mantilla was to me.  I am so glad I found Susan and would highly recommend her.

After she finished my project I asked her about a couple of other items I had that might need repair.  I didn’t even know whether they were knitted, crochet or some other sort of needlework craft.  I found out that whatever the genre is, she knows what you are talking about, tells you what kind of needlework it is and gives good insight.  What I particularly appreciated was that when I asked her whether the items were worth salvaging with professional repair and restoring, she was very up front with me about the reality of  the issues to consider and then how to make my own best decision whether to  have a restoration done. She didn’t — at all — try to talk me into a project and it was comforting to have her advice.  She comes up with extremely interesting options to salvage damaged pieces.  It was stimulating to hear her thoughts as we chatted.  Her creativity seems unending; she came up with ideas I never thought were possible.    She really thinks out of the box while all the while focusing on maintaining the historical and family aspects of the project to still maintain it as an heirloom piece.

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Testimonial

I was indeed excited to find you completed my project so soon.  Thank you so much!  What I found when I looked at the precious work of my Grandmother made was so surprising. I did not find repairs. I found art restoration of incredible quality.  Your masterful work literally brought tears to my eyes.  I will never forget the gift you shared with me by accepting this item into your care.

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Testimonial

Thank you so much Susan.  We will pass this crocheted tablecloth as a wedding gift to my daughter.   Besides the sentimental value of the heirloom, this rich history further validates the investment in it’s restoration.  I am so pleased with the work you did in restoring it to its 1940 glory.  The color match is perfect, and I cannot tell at all where the repairs were made, although I know there were many. The cleaning is also amazing, yet it retains the patina appropriate to its age.  I’ve told her father about the gift and he is very touched at the thought.  We can’t wait until she opens it!  We plan on giving it to her at her bridal shower so we can be there when she does.

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Bedspread restoration and repair.  The project had been started many years ago.  Multiple motifs were out of gauge.  These were further disassembled as needed and reworked to size.  Then the bedspread was assembled and finally finished with a compatible crochet edging pattern. The bedspread photo on the right that appears as a totally different color is the newly washed bedspread now at the owner’s home.

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TO RECEIVE A QUOTE PLEASE CAREFULLY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FOR A GOOD CHAT  (Updated 2023 I am available for the entire year)

Note:  All Inquiries require a telephone conversation before a quote is established.  Often I am unable to establish a quote until I have piece on my studio table for evaluation.  Please be sure to follow these directions.

Note:  .jpg attachments preferred for all photos needed below.  Remember that old adage that “A picture is worth 1,000 words”.

GETTING THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE OF THE WHOLE SHEBANG
(1) Take a photo of the entire piece laid flat, then
(2) Take photos of the general problem areas, and then
(3) Take closer-up photos of the holes within those general areas just taken (10 to 15 inches distance), and
(4) Include information about the history of the piece within your family or otherwise how you came to own it and what you know about it.
(5) Email the photos along with your full name, city, state, telephone number WITH YOUR TIME ZONE  along with the history of the item … to my email address below.  I typically call within 24 hrs. but I quite often call within fifteen minutes of receipt!
Send as many photos as necessary, remembering that “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
PLEASE — be sure to follow these directions to allow for a thorough chat about your piece.  And, thanks in advance!  (I will be calling you from Ocean Pines/Ocean City, Maryland, EST)
(6) Email to:  SusanDianeKerin@gmail.com

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Don’t We Just Love Our Pets

The Inquiry, below.  “The Dog Did It” – below

  knitting repair

The Inquiry:   have a knitted afghan that was handed down from my husband’s late mother. It was knitted by his late Aunt. She has been gone close to 20 years. We consider it a family keepsake. She had no children, and she doted on my husband.
My husband’s cockapoo, Malcolm, is almost two years old. I always make it clear that he is not my dog. He is sneaky and cunning and he got to the afghan when we thought it was in a safe place. There are no safe places.  The afghan has 4 areas that need repair. I hope that you can at least stabilize the damage so the blanket can be used without causing further damage.

Testimonial

The Testimonial:  Well, what can I say. The afghan is perfection! Not only is it spotlessly clean (I had no idea it could be that color), but the torn areas were so skillfully hidden by your repairs, my husband and I had to take several minutes to even locate the original injuries to the piece. And even now we are not sure!  Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving a beloved family piece! John’s Aunt Honey’s work will live on in our family and be handed down intact. Without your work it would have ended up in the trash, and what a heartless loss that would have been. I promise to keep it safe; and your number will remain in my contacts list.

 

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The Inquiry, below.  “My Dog Ate My Doily” – photo below

I had to chuckle as I read her words because I immediately thought of that old expression, “My dog ate my homework.”

I called Annie and we had a chat about her doily dilemma and her need for lace repair services. This is life and these things happen. With many years of knitting repair and lace repair projects under my belt, I’ve heard many stories like this when one is faced with a damaged family heirloom needing repair to replicate and restore the pattern to make it whole again.

The good thing is that we realize the legacy value of these fine arts when we are fortunate to have one handed down to us from loved ones owing such skill.  Once a lace repair is complete, we often rethink how the item should be used for the future.  The cost of lace repair can be minor or major, depending upon the size of the job. Sometimes an heirloom piece, like the pineapple doily in this case, is professionally framed and hung afterwards, especially when it may be the only item made by Grandma that you own. It stays perfect after the lace repair and is displayed prominently for family to appreciate.

Others put completed lace repair projects such as doilies under glass. That is, a table gets a sheet of glass over it with the lace repair displayed under it for viewing, without danger of drink spills, soiling from daily wear, and of course the “DOG”.  This could also be done with a repaired tablecloth of manageable size in which it is under the tabletop glass and the remainder of it hangs.  Often when a lace bedspread is restored it is used as the attractive bedspread but removed at bed time.  Or, it may be aesthetically pleasing displayed as a runner across the end of the bed, or placed hanging from a blanket rack.

During our chat, I had suggested the episode might become a handed down, memorialized, family story – if she did not want to have the lace repaired she could still frame it with the story and photo of the dog included in the frame.

Now, getting back to the “DOG”…  Later in a follow up email Annie noted:

“I was so afraid to tell my husband what had happened and thought he would be devastated and upset. It turns out I was more upset than he was!   Thanks so much for the very creative consultation today and also for sharing  your impressive knowledge and abilities!
And P.S. The dog lives to chew another day.”

 

 

The Inquiry, below.  “My Mother’s Cat Ate My Afghan” – Photo Above)

I have attached a photo of an afghan my mother made. She passed away
last August at age 95.  She was very active to the very end and still driving. Over many years, during winter months she crocheted afghans as gifts. This one I believe was made to use up leftover yarn. It is a pattern she only used this one time. Unfortunately, her much loved cat, Cali, liked it as well and chewed a few holes in it!  My Mom always said she wanted to “fix” it but never got around to getting it done. Cali passed a few months before mother. If possible,
I would like to have this repaired. or at least stabilized.  It measures about 61″ x 31″.  Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated. 

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Testimonial

I received the crocheted bedspread you restored and immediately put it on my bed.  Every time I walked by it brought back wonderful memories of my Mother who had made it for me when I was a child — the ties that bind.  You did a wonderful job.  In Japan there is an art of repairing broken pottery so that the repaired piece often becomes more beautiful than the original and it is given a second life.  You applied that art to this bedspread and I am so thrilled that it, too, now has a second life.  You surely demonstrated the fine art of vintage crochet restoration.

When I first spoke with you about the project I sensed the depth of knowledge you had on the subject and appreciated how well you explained things, even the things that were not yet known!  Your knowledge of the history of patterns was highly impressive.  That you noted you studied daily in your many thousands of books library was certainly notable.

You stayed true to your word and kept me updated in impressive detail as you progressed on the extensive work.  I admire your style and communication abilities.  Thank you again for the great work and for sharing your knowledge with me.  With warm regards, B.L. Miami FL

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Testimonial

“Susan, I Love It, Thank you for Your Talent!”

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What do you do when you want to restore a moth-ridden 50-year-old afghan made by a favorite aunt?  You take it to Susan Kerin. I’ve known Susan for only a short time.  However, I found her to be an extremely skilled professional whose passion for her work is captivating.   Her energy is boundless. And most importantly, her devotion to restoring and transforming this afghan was both unquestionable and reassuring.  Her work has made it possible for this tattered heirloom to be transformed and become a family treasure to be handed down for generations. I actually traveled to Susan’s studio to pick up the project when it was completed and toured her interesting sanctum.  I was able to experience a bit of her repair, restoration and creative processes first-hand during her summary review of the work as she explained how the work evolved.  Beth in Maryland.

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Tatters to Treasures – Photos left to right beginning at top:
1) afghan “before” condition, as received.
2) releasing the knots for assessment.
3)  fabric selection and figuring out the pillow cover.
4) Pillow completed and laying out the pillow case.
5) Laying out a swath for restoration to then applique onto pillowcase.
6) Swath onto the work frame for restoration needlework.
7) Creating stitches and gauges for pillowcase trim.
8) Pillowcase with pillow inside.
9) Creating the first picture frame of the “before” afghan condition.
10) Creating the second picture frame and the story.
The photo at above right are the finished projects, a treasured pillow to hug with love and a memorial put to ink.

Words to the story at above right …
My Great Grandmother, Bessie Ruth Lawson, was born in 1921.  She crocheted and quilted throughout her life.  Whenever we visited, she most always had a project in her lap.  She had a closet filled with her completed quilts and crocheted afghans to preciously gift to her family.

Grandma Bessie passed away in 1995 on January 12th, ten months after I was born.  From the trove in her closet I was gifted one of three heirloom afghans my mother then received.  I have hugged it every bedtime throughout my life and have never been without it, even when I traveled.  It has been with me on high school team softball trips, on sleepovers with friends, when I was off to college and when I moved into my own apartment.  Its tattered well-worn condition, used with love, is a testament in in remembrance.

The time came to make repairs but its frail condition could not hold up to restoration.  Instead a somewhat intact swath extracted and its tatters restored.  The newly transformed swath then became a creative needlework applique stitched onto a custom pillowcase to resume its life with me.  Pieces in disrepair are framed along with this tidbit about her.  The photo is of me with her.

This breath of life for my afghan was created for me in December 2021 by a restoration artist.

Notice the “Wonder Woman” mug that a client sent me 🙂

 

 

Testimonial

An incredible experience (above project).  I wished to give my girlfriend a very special gift for Christmas in having her great grandmother’s afghan restored, which she has slept with her entire life.  I had a multitude of research and site searching experiences before speaking with Susan Kerin.  Before we talked, I truly thought that my hope of restoration for such a beloved, valuable, piece had been lost, since it was about reduced to rags. She is the only person who treated this project with grave concern and communicated surprising options from which to choose as far as ways to approach this undertaking.  I was simply in awe. 

My experience with Susan and her expertise in repair and restoration services has been extremely enjoyable. Her creativity seems to hold no bounds.  She is personable and approaches each project with generosity. I never needed to call her to inquire about progress, as she was highly communicative through all stages of the project with periodic phone calls and emails; I was never left wondering.

Susan took what I thought was lost and what she accomplished was overwhelming.  What an incredible transformation. I could not be more satisfied with the outcome. My girlfriend can now sleep with a piece of her beloved great grandmother forever and the framing project was as incredible as the pillow and pillowcase. Susan gave me a great sense of trust in working my project.  Susan is trustworthy and articulate. This experience exceeded my expectation in every single way.   David S. in Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Testimonial

“I contacted Susan to repair a turn of the century hand crocheted bedspread I had purchased several years ago. The edge of it was becoming totally unraveled all around and I desperately wanted to restore it so I could continue using it, as this is a blanket I really treasure.

After doing some online sleuthing I came across Susan’s website and from that moment on, I knew my bedspread was in expert hands. She understands the sentimental value of the things you are entrusting her with.  She answered all my questions and kept me apprised throughout the process.  I viewed it as an investment in the future and in her utmost expertise and decades of experience – truly, I believe you get what you pay for.

I think she is really dedicated and knows her craft.  She is truly unique.  In our first conversation she was able to give me the approximate year of the original pattern, talked about the historical aspects of such needlework and all kinds of interesting details surrounding her work and her process.   It was a great experience to chat with her and learn so much.  I found out she has a needlework library room where she studies and she has more than 3,000 books.  It amazes me to think of her collection.

My bedspread has a new lease on life and looks good as new! Susan, thank you for taking my project on and providing me with many more years of joy.”   Thank you so much, Susan.  B. in New York

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Testimonial
Just arrived home last night and today opened the box from you…
it is BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I can’t tell you how happy I am.
I am so glad I found YOU!!
You have a truly wonderful and special talent!!!
Thank you so much!!!!!
Myralu

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Testimonial

Wanted to thank you for such professionalism, from initial contact through finished product and delivery. Sitting with my Grandmother’s project in my lap, completed by your expert and caring hands, left me in tears, and with a full heart of appreciation and wonder at your expertise and process.  Rest assured, should anyone ever ask or say they are looking for someone of your caliber, you will be strongly recommended. Your attention to detail was exemplified in a finished restoration that will be, as you say, a legacy piece. 

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Where It All Happens – The Creative Sanctum of Susan Kerin
Textile Restoration Artist, Knit and Crochet Designer

Above:  The Library  – 3,000+ books on the fine arts of knitting and crochet along with related needle work and other creative genres publications.  This is a cherished collection from which I study needlework history and patterns.

Above:  The Studio Office  – Leaving the Library and walking across the hall.

Above:  Desk Central in the Studio Office  – Book research from the library moves to the office for continued pattern study for restoration work and historical inspiration for new design work.  Private lectures with instructional lessons in knitting and crochet and other needle work genres also take place here.  Teaching includes learn-how as well as custom lessons in areas of special interest to the client.

For completed repairs and restorations, there is the task of documenting the project in detail for the client, including what was done to bring a piece to whole again.

As a designer …
For new design work, swatching of new pattern ideas also happen here.  Ongoing, great numbers of new stitch design elements and details constantly churn through the brain’s wheel house.  After a time a vision is ultimately made tangible for the first time.  It travels down the arms, into the hands, onto the needle … creating new pattern elements and combinations that previously never existed.

Then the process continues with writing instructions and testing the written for detailed accuracy.  Then, to the photo shoots, and final editing  before declaring the finished pattern pages ready to post to my website, ultimately to be seen by needle workers in search of a just-right eye-catching project.

Above:  Project Table – where a whole lot happens.  Swatch boards on the wall are the result of test swatching new design idea elements during the creative process.  The swatch boards become by-product artwork providing continued inspiration, and they’re lots of fun to make, too.

Other background:
– I am a writer/editor, which dovetails all-so-well with the production of written pattern content.  I am geeky/techie/nerdy.
– I perform my own photo shoots for my design work and tutorials, etc.  I create the design/content work on my website(s).
– I teach and lecture on the fine arts of knitting and crochet here in my studio/office.
– Lessons are one-on-one for undivided attention to the student and customized lessons to advance skill levels.
– I am also an on-site professional organizer.