Karissa

No leotards will not take the heat nor will they stabilize enough to use in a quilt or at least I've not been able to come up with an idea that works. Both my granddaughters have danced for the last 15 yrs (oldest is 18 & graduating in 2 wks the other 15) I would go with cotton & come up with a design & personalize it with things that pertain to her daughter.

Havplenty

you didnt have a problem with the leotard running once you put a hole in it? interesting because i remember seeing many a runs in leotards. i had a few pair once.

dollycathy

[ATTACH=CONFIG]329008[/ATTACH]The best way to do this is by foundation piecing with a leave in foundation to give stability. But it does make a lot of mess with all those sequins and glitter. P.S. if you foundation piece do not iron these delicate fabrics from the front either finger press or iron from the back with a very low iron. here is an example I whipped up for you.

star619

Don't go there! God bless!

RDM

A cute idea, but lycra/nylon would be problematic-even with interfacing-heat, wear, could rip easier. Why not a ballet themed quilt with cotton prints and applique? The daughter would love it.

Joanne9of12

I make a fair number of memory quilts and I have included all kinds of fabric in them. I even made on that consisted enitirely of ribbons won at horse shows. This was to be used as a wall hanging only, because there was no way to wash those ribbons, no matter what did them.

I just completed a quilt for someone that had some swimsuit fabric in it, along with some work-out gear. I used a lightweight stabilizer on those fabrics (and any other strechy ones) and then had no problem. I have found that I have to be careful how and where I place these fabrics when they are mixed with lots of other fabric types. I often try not to put too many "stabilized" fabrics together and then have a bunch of other thinner fabrics together. In other words, I try to distribute the thickness throughout the quilt.

I will agree that this project will not be an easy or quick one to do, but it will be special. I do enjoy making memory quilts simply because I know how much they mean to the recipient. Of course, I do try to make sure I am compensated for the extra time and work.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing pictures of your progress and finished quilt, if you decide to do it.

Halo

I love the challenge of making memory quilts out of clothing & have done several of them. I am now working on another one with all types of clothing & fabric. It is doable, but you do have to love the challenge of it. Every one I have made has been cherished.

ziegamomma

My mother used my DD's dance costumes to make bear clothes and doll clothes.

BarbaraSue

Whilr I do believe it is doable, it isn't going to be fun nor is there any surity that it will turn out the way she wanted it to.
How about this--Ask if she has pics of her doughter in each costume/leotard. Make a quilt using photo transfers to fabric. She would get probably a more pleasing quilt that not only shows the leotards/costumes,but her daughter in them as well. It would a dance memorial quilt.

janjer

how about basting spray that will become permanant? that might hold something on the back of the leotard. best to try a small section.
what pattern does the mother want? if you appliqued a fabric dancer and put the leotards on it on a large center block, you could just add borders of varying widths and patterns around it and make a neat quilt.
maybe you could use a photo of the little girl in her ballet outfit.
i'll keep watching to see what happens when you try the lycra.