My father just pasted away last week and she wants me to take his shirts and make a lap quilt for her. The problem is I want to put a picture (8x10)as the center I don't know what to do after this. I don't want to use 12 in squares. Any pattern ideas? Please help Thanks to all of you great quilters. My imagination doesn't tend to go far. lol

I made one for my friend when her dad died. He had a bunch of pendleton shirts.The pocket was very important to him. So I used the pockets as the center blocks cut up his ties and bordered the pockets(he was irish).I used some flannel fabric on the front and entire back. Wool batting so my girlfriend could wrap it around her and feel his warmth.He was a wonderful man.

You might try Flying Geese around the photo. Or, if you wanted to honor the gentleman's hobbies or interests( like fishing or football or whatever), fusble applique could be used to create images of things he loved to do. You could use fusible applique as hearts in the corners of the borders. I hope some of these suggestions help spark ideas.

You could use the mystery snowball pattern.

I used a 9" finished block size. The snowballs formed a place for photos.

Use 5 inch blocks and put 2 inch sashing between the smaller blocks. Put several lines of these on each side of the 8x10 to fill out the width. Rows above and below the picture and 5" blocks can be larger blocks with even different size sashing between. Cutting out blocks with pockets and off-center fronts with buttons will add character and interest. I have even seen some with an embroidered block with his name, birth date, marriage date and death date. If he was in the service a block of his unit would look great. As long as the horizontal sashing size is the same width the sashing between blocks can be smaller to make the width of the quilt come out. Using pre-washed flannel makes a loving warm quilt.
Debi

thank you all for your help I really like them all Now I have to sit and cut after I decide which way I want to do it or use a little of all your ideas. Thanks so much lol