Quilt Fraying

I decided to wash Natalie's quilt before giving it to her.   Part of the reason was that I love the "puckering" effect that you get after washing the quilt.  I thought Natalie would like this "vintage" look.  The second reason was that I was a little nervous about the width of some seams on the edges of the quilt.  I really scrimped when squaring up the quilt, not wanting to cut off too much of the edges...what a mistake.  In a couple of areas, I knew this would mean I would have about 1/8" instead of 1/4" seams when I added the binding.  Even after completing the quilt, it kept nagging at me.  I was afraid the quilt would fall apart the first time Natalie washed it.
So, here's what the quilt looked like after I washed it:



Uggh.  Just what I was afraid of.  But, what to do.  I opened the binding on one of the frayed areas and tried to iron on some Stitch witchery-like stuff (it wasn't Stitch Witchery, but I can't remember the name of the stuff...it something you use when appliquing) to the area.  I thought I could kind of "seal" the fabric and I could then somehow reattach the binding over the edge.  That was my second mistake.  The iron melted the applique stuff, the edge curled, and the whole area was stiff.  It was worse than when I began.  Desparate, I thought I could take off the whole piece of the affected block.  But, the more I analyzed it, I realized that this was impossible.  I would have to remove all the quilting in the area...what would I do about the now unquilted area on the back of the quilt?  The stitching holes would show and look terrible!  So, I decided to add an applique over each of the frayed areas.  Honestly, I couldn't think of another solution and I have never appliqued before, never ever.  I had a piece of fabric that I had wanted to use for the quilt but when I decided on solids, I had set it aside.  It was the Erin McMorris Grey Bicycles from the Weekend Collection.  I loved those little bikes with pink flowers in the basket and I had grey in the quilt. 



So, how did I do?  Not too well.  Shouldn't applique be a cinch?  It wasn't and the whole thing just looked like a stupid patch after I was through.  But, I had committed to this fix and had to follow through on the other frayed area.  I haven't uploaded a photo, but will show it next time. 
Oh well......isn't it the thought that counts?  I hope Natalie still loves the sentiment behind making her quilt.