![]() I am leaning toward 25-patches because more sewing is done at the strip stage than at the block piecing stage. I will be making another twin identical to it but will be using either 9- or 25-patches rather than 16-patches because the seams should nest together better than with 16-patches. The average quilt takes 4-8 weeks to complete if there’s not a wait list.This quilt is a custom order. From there, I get to work, sending updates and photos along the way. Once I’ve feel like I’ve found a way forward, I make a small sample either digitally or in fabric, and share it with the client. I prefer to let the textiles help create the quilt. I rarely begin a quilt with a design in mind. The colors and the patterns will often inspire the direction. Once received, I begin by ironing the clothes and sorting them out by color. Next, we arrange for shipment of the fabrics. We also discuss the technical details like price, size, and design. Stories and photos all help to give me a sense of who they were, which helps me create a piece that better reflects some of their light. If the client would like, I am always interested to know more about the person I’m making the quilt to honor. ![]() We talk, often on the phone, but many times over email or text too, about their vision for their quilt, what fabrics they would like to contribute, and how they see themselves using the quilt in the future. Everyone’s vision for a memory quilt is unique. When I work with clients to create a custom memory quilt, the first step is to listen to what they’re looking for. If you’d like to talk more about memory quilts, I’d love to hear from you. That, in my mind, is what makes a memory quilt such a powerful and special piece. They help us preserve the stories and presence of loved ones. All quilts can provide warmth and comfort, but memory quilts provide a kind of spiritual solace in addition to that. And it’s that intention I believe that sets memory quilts apart from other other quilts. I recently made a “making memories quilt” for someone who is adopting their first child: they gave me clothing to make a quilt out of with the intention of making a welcoming gift for their new daughter. I’ve had memory quilt commissioned by coworkers of a retiring colleague, and parents who want their college freshman to have a quilt made out of their baby clothes. Most of the memory quilts I made are made in honor of someone who has passed away, but not all of them. Maybe it’s because I don’t always have the best memory, so I’m forever taking pictures of things and writing myself notes in my planner so nothing slips by. Memory quilts are among my most favorite quilts to make. You probably have some ideas we could add to this list! We can feel the softness of the fabric and remember what it was like to hug them. We have memories of them wearing that garment. We can often smell the person who wore the clothes. My experience has led me to believe that clothing is infused with memory. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite reason for making quilts out of old clothes, but this is defintiely on the top of the list. When you started with pieces of a deconstruted old men’s shirt, you get curves and angles that can inspire a new direction for your compostiion. When you cut fabric off the bolt, it’s easy to stick with the same right angles you start with when you make your quilt. That would cost you $30 off the bolt, or $3 from the thrift store. ![]() It takes about three yards of fabric to make a queen-size sheet. Working with thirfted clothing gives you a lot of material to work with for your money. A yard of fabric could easily cost you $10/yard (if not way more). This is especially important in a time we humans are producing more fabric each year to keep up with designer trends. A closely related idea to #1, but when we repurpose old clothing into quilts, we are keeping those fabrics out of the landfills. So a worn-out pair of jeans that still had a lot of durable fabric left in them could be turned into something to keep you warm at night. In the South, just like many rural agricultural areas around the world, new materials weren’t always easy to come by. There are so many reasons to make quilts out of clothes.
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