Memory Quilts

Memory quilts are a great way to remember or celebrate the life of someone you love, who may no longer be with you.  A memory quilt made from a deceased loved one's clothing can bring comfort to family members and will surely become a family heirloom to be passed on to future generations.   However,  memory quilts are also commonly  made from a child's clothes to remember their early years.  Photos can easily be added to any memory quilt to further personalize it. 

Another type of memory quilt is one made from signatures or special messages written on plain fabric squares and incorporated into a quilt.  These signatures or messages may be from friends, classmates, or family members (from a reunion, birthday or anniversary party).   A prayer quilt could also be made for someone facing a serious illness, including messages of encouragement from friends and family members.  

The possibilities for types of memory quilts are endless, as are the variety of quilting patterns that can be used for them.

FAQ's

What type of clothing can be used?

100% cotton or cotton blends are by far the easiest to work with, but any fabric that isn't too heavy or bulky can be used.   For instance, fabric from a bulky knit sweater could not be used.  Any fabric that is stretchy or very thin will need to have interfacing ironed onto the back of it before it can be used.  (This will involve extra charges).  Keep in mind that if you include fabrics that need to be dry cleaned that the whole quilt will need to be dry cleaned.  

Clothes that have embroidered designs or embellishments that you want included, will require "fussy cutting" and extra work.  This will involve extra hourly charges.  In addition, the quilt will need to be custom quilted in order to not quilt over the embellishments.  This too will involve additional charges.

How many pieces of clothing will be needed to make a quilt?

The more clothing you can send, the better, as this will add variety to the finished quilt.  But even if you only have a few articles of clothing, they can be used along with a neutral background fabric to make a decent sized quilt.

Will any other fabric be used in the quilt besides the clothing I send?

This is totally up to you.  If you want nothing used but the clothing you send, that can be done.   However, in most cases, a more attractive quilt is made by incorporating a neutral background fabric.  This spreads out the clothing pieces more and helps them all blend together better.

How will the quilt be constructed?

The quilt top will be pieced in the pattern you decide upon.  It will then be layered with a high quality cotton or polyester batting (your choice) and a cotton backing fabric.  The 3 layers will be professionally machine quilted in an overall design of your choice (see the patterns page) or if desired can be custom quilted for an additional charge.  To finish it off a binding will be added in a complimentary fabric.      

If you would like a memory quilt made I will work with you to help you select a quilt pattern, and take great care in creating a special quilt which will become a family heirloom to last for future generations.  Please see the Contact page. 

Cost:

Simple quilting patterns start at $8.00/sq.ft.  This includes

  • piecing the quilt
  • backing fabric and batting 
  • an overall quilting design
  • binding the quilt

(To figure out how many square feet would be in a particular quilt, multiply the size of the finished quilt you desire to be made in inches and divide by 144.  For example, if you would like a twin sized quilt, multiply 65 x 90" = 5850 divided by 144 = 40.6 sq.ft.  A simple memory quilt made in this size would cost 40.6 sq.ft. x $8.00/sq.ft. or $324.80.)

Extra charges include:

  • $10/hour for fussy cutting clothing with embroidery or embellishments, and for ironing interfacing onto the back of stretchy or extra thin fabrics
  • the cost of any additional fabric used in piecing the top (used as a background fabric or for a border)
  • custom quilting charges if desired or necessary

Memory Quilt Samples:

STAR CHAIN PATTERN:  This quilt and two more just like it were made from a mothers clothing for her 3 children.  Because the mother's clothes had so many embroidered designs and little beads for embellishment, the quilt had to be custom quilted in order to not quilt over the beads.   This quilt pattern would cost $10.00/sq.ft. to make (plus additional costs for custom quilting and extra time spent cutting out the special fabrics and ironing interfacing on stretchy or very thin fabrics for this particular quilt)

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MORNING STAR PATTERN: This quilt was made from a grandfathers flannel shirts and khaki workclothes, combined with embroidery done by the grandmother.  The solid blue sashing around each block was added to enhance the quilt.  It was simply quilted with an overall design.  This quilt design could be made for $10.00/sq.ft.. (plus additional costs for ironing interfacing to the backs of all the flannel for this particular quilt.) 

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COBBLESTONE PATTERN:  This style quilt is an example of one with no additional fabric added to enhance the design.  It was totally made from just a few of a father's shirts and 2 pair of cotton twill pants.  It was simply quilted with an overall design.  This pattern would cost $8.00/sq.ft. (and no extra charges in this case)