Your own quilt can be made to match a theme that’s special to the person it’s sewn for (or about). Working with the person’s favorite colors or choosing novelty fabrics that include objects the person was (or is) fond of are two ways to create a special quilt. You might even decide to make a T-Shirt quilt in memory of a person, place or event. Susie used T-Shirts from walking and running fundraisers to make her breast cancer awareness quilt.
Friendship Quilt Variations
Friendship quilts can be can be classified as memory quilts, but they are usually sewn by friends and gifted to someone who is moving away or has suffered a loss of some kind. Album quilt blocks, such as Album Churn Dash and Album Star, were originally designed as friendship quilt blocks. Both quilt blocks have a narrow strip that’s large enough for a signature or short message. Other quilt blocks can be used in the same way – my Patchwork Heart quilt block pattern has become a favorite friendship quilt.
Use Photos to Make Memory Quilts
Photos of family and friends are often an important part of a memory quilt. Today’s printers make it easy to print colorfast photos on fabric with your own fabric or cuts that are prepared commercially. Be sure to browse the Themed Quilts Photo Gallery, since many of those quilts are close cousins of memory quilts. Every time I spoke with her on the phone, Mom would tell me how much she enjoyed looking at the quilt and how it brought back so many memories. Mom passed away the next year, so I’m glad I made it for her when I did. Sandy says: When my supervisor at OKDHS retired, I had two months to make this quilt, get all the employees to sign it, and have it quilted. I worked so hard on it and got it finished, then got pneumonia and couldn’t even be there for his party! He loved it and everyone else at the party did, too. They used the quilt as part of the Fall decoration theme.
Try a Pattern
Spinning Spokes Album Quilt Block I used pictures of the three together and fabrics that meant something to them. The quilts are about 4’ x 6’ in size. Detail of the quilt Danny-Forever in our Hearts Memory Quilt. You can see the full quilt on the previous page. There is much symbolism in the quilt.
The quilt’s center is a photo of a broken dish and a whole dish. Small blocks of the broken dishes quilt pattern surround the center. The corners are whole pieces of fabric. The color purple is the awareness ribbon color for sexual assault.
I hope our patients believe they can heal to wholeness again. If nothing else, at least, it provides something pretty for distraction in the clinical setting. Some of the blocks aren’t quite the same size because I was in such a hurry to get it done that I just started sewing and then decided I had better have a plan. The quilt still brings tears to our eyes as we lay in bed and talk about the different four-legged family members we’ve had to let go. From Phyllis: I made this quilt for our local historical society raffle to help raise funds for repairs on one of its buildings. The quilt is made up of pictures of our town’s history, all set into shadow frames. It fits nicely on a queen size bed that’s outfitted with a ruffled skirt.
Make Your Own Attic Windows Quilt
Easy Attic Windows Quilt Block Pattern Sew an Attic Windows Quilt with Variable Windows Combine Attic Windows with Applique Attic Windows Quilts Photo Gallery
There was a tornado the night he passed away, and it is represented by the spiral design in the corner of the quilt. The sheet music includes the words to a poem that I wrote about my son the night after the accident. From Fran: My first quilt was inspired by being unemployed, 60 years old, and needing something to occupy my time when not looking for a job – being productive creates a positive feeling. It is a full-size quilt. The front depicts our son’s wedding picture and a photo of our grandson. From Nancy: My great niece, McKaylee, came to visit us in Colorado, along with my brother (her grandpa). We took her to Garden of the Gods, horseback riding, had a barbeque and traveled to the mountains. The memory quilt was a Christmas gift to commemorates her visit. She was excited to receive it and loves looking at the pictures and remembering her visit. Four generations of our family are pictured. This was the easiest quilt I have ever made, and my favorite. Learn how to sew sashing and cornerstones. The quilt has a traditional label on its back, plus a label with the Class motto, color, flower and other items specific to the school. Another label lists our Alma Mater, and there’s also a label that lists the deceased classmates. After the purchase, I made another label with the purchaser’s name, class picture and a picture of him with the quilt. It was fun!
I used jute to section off the pictures and to symbolize ropes on the ship.The braid around the pictures is like the braid on their uniforms.Under each picture, I embroidered a description of it.I used embroidery designs to fill in between pictures.
I made a drawstring bag for the quilt with the Navy insignia and my husband’s name embroidered on it. He takes the quilt everywhere to show it off and has even sent pictures of it to the friends whose pictures are on it. The quilt measures 72" square. The backing fabric depicts flags and the Declaration of Independence as an all over print on a cream background. Take a look at the Patriotic Quilts Photo Gallery.
