Originally Posted by knlsmith
This is one I made. It was not a nightmare, just took a little more time to cut the pieces because of getting rid of seams. I considered it a great honor and would do it again in a heartbeat.
I used lightwieght stabilizer on just the stretchy stuff. some of it was cotton button up shirts so i didn't stabilize them.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-33011-1.htm
I second this response. I've also had had great success in using materials that were stretchy or weird to work with like sweaters etc by making "stay stitches" (with a traditional sewing machine) for the inner part of a cutting line and then cutting to the outside of it to make the fabric strips or segments I'd be working with - and also sometimes then used the serger and differential feed to serge the edges to make a stable and very useable fabric. Then depending on the design etc I might quilt using the serger exclusively or just as a way to finish raw edges of difficult fabrics and then quilt the traditional way.
The bottomline is that some materials may take more time and effort to work with, but it is entirely possible and can be a complete success. Chances are you wouldn't be doing any overly complex design given the types or materials you might have to work with anyway like sweaters etc. I personally don't think you should fear making the quilt, but you should be honest with the family regarding your skill level. If they still feel comfortable after knowing that, then I see no reason not to continue. Furthermore given your skill level and/or level of comfort, perhaps you could also enlist the help of those who are more experienced than you by joining a local quilting and/or sewing guild in your area to gain valuable experience, insight and assistance with individuals who would be local to you and most assuredly very willing to help you in this endeavor in a hands on capacity.
I think you can be very successful in creating a very beautiful tribute - if you choose a simple design and always endeavor to do your best, which I have no doubt you would. Don't allow the task itself and its importance automatically dissuade you - perhaps this is a physical and spiritual journey for you that could be very healing and very beautiful for you and their family in the end. It's always an honor and a priviledge to be chosen for such a task. If at the end of the day you really feel that you couldn't do this justice, then of course be honest with the family and seek guidance from them as to how they'd like to best proceed.
Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
- The Creative Seamstress