Ranchwife

Again, thank you for the help! I spoke with her and presented ideas and she doesn't care what I do with the clothes - keep whole or cut up. She just wants to be able to surround herself with memories of her son. I'm probably going to do a block quilt with sashing and cornerstones using clothing as the main blocks. I will be sure to keep appliques, logos on shirts, etc., on each clothing item. She wants a twin quilt, or something big enough to wrap up in. I think I will do a QAYG so I can finish it quicker because I usually hand quilt all my quilts. I will do hand quilting around some of the emblems and appliques to add something more personal.

nativetexan

I am so glad you are doing this quilt for her. helping her manage her grief. You will become inspired and your quilt will become a good memory for her. Good for you.

meyert

I have made several memory quilts and while they can be a challenge I felt a bit of reward realizing how much quilts would be cherished.

When we lost my sister to cancer I found pictures that were of her with her grandchildren - one by one. Then the shirt she had on in the picture I cut in large enough pieces that it would recognizable in the quilt. Then I put the picture in a frame and gave the picture with the quilt. I just hate the thought that their memories of their grandma will be so limited and hope that the pictures will help keep the memories alive

themadpatter

Pellon 911 FF Fusible Featherweight stabilizer is the one to use for knits in quilts. The cheapest place I've found to buy it is Walmart online. 20" x 15yds for $12.10 Free shipping over $35.00.

Ranchwife

Thank you!!

gmasandee

The Pellon 911 fusible featherweight is what I used on my first tshirt quilt recently and really liked it. I am in the process of making a memory quilt for a coworker/friend who lost her son several years ago. She gave me a bag of his clothes several years ago when I had just started my quilting journey, I am now confident enough to make it. In the bag was 3 pair of boxer shorts. I had no idea what to do with them then remembered I had purchased a pattern for a keepsake memory bear last year and wondered, hmmm. Never in my wildest dreams did I think something could turn out so darn cute.

gmasandee

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hobbykat1955

you might want to incorp a photo of him on fabric in the quilt...This is something she'll cherish forever...A horrible situation but we all admire you for taking on this task.

Lara122

I did this for my sister - and it was a chore. She had started some of it herself, so she knew she wanted nine patches, out of each 'outfit'. Seems like most of them were infant/toddler sizes.

I wish I had known to use stabilizer . . . ugh. But it worked out. I kept a Ton of the clothing detail. I think my blocks ended at 5 inches . . . I kept the functionality of most buttons and snaps. I ended up having to have have bits behind pieces to make my sizing.

It ended up being Huge. Well over king sized. She has never had it quilted - it will be no fun for the poor long-armer, though it did end up looking alright.

rusty quilter

Painful time for both of you! If there was a way that you could "postpone" the actual cutting of the fabric....I know she is hurting...but grief takes time...in 6 months...her views are likely to be totally different. I am so sorry for her loss, and so grateful that you are willing to try to make a quilt that she can "hold"