If you were to make a quilt like this what shapes would you include...
 

To make it less "period" looking and more representative of you, your family or interests? Many thanks!


http://pinterest.com/pin/8725793000903108/

The stick type figues used in road signs. Men's Women's restroom figures. Corporate/business symbols. Symbols used on the internet.......to name a few. The flame sign you see in elevators indicating the button to press for the rescue team or whatever it means.
The smiley face and other type symbols.

Great idea! I've seen rings with silhouettes embossed on them but never a quilt- tricky design challenge!
If I was doing one I would probably include map outlines of the different places I have lived, and an airplane too. An open book symbolizing inquiry because I consider myself curious. Different symbols for my ancestors- a ship, farm animals, a loaf of bread, a boot, a rose. My goodness there are so many. It's a really interesting question! Symbols for my kids also, and my husband- I'd be appliqueing a LOT!

I would do a church, a home, dogs and a cat, horses, birds, boat with people fishing, deer and elk because we hunt, books because I went to college, children and adults and grandparents, tent because we camped, beach because we go to Oregon Coast, also different places we've traveled to, the sun and moon and stars, trees and flowers, different sports my family is interested in, names of family members who have passed on, important dates, etc. I could go on forever.

I might make one with all Christmas shapes.

Ours would have music themes - notes, rests, treble/bass clef, piano, violin...

After that cats, sewing machines, a split-level house, Christian and church symbols, books, hearts, and baby things.

The possibilities on a quilt like this are endless, and everyone's quilt would be unique.

What a great question to ponder! In my case, it would have to reflect my faith, travels overseas and across the US, the love of my life (my DH), our children & grandchildren, my family in Australia that I love so much, the many fur babies (both dogs and cats) that have shared their lives with us, camp trips, quilting symbols, books, houses we've owned (and renovated), my love of trees and gardening, and reminders of those who were important and loved in our past, covered bridges, sunrises and sunsets, water scenes....I could go on and on....

If you want it to look "less period" you may want to consider batiks.

Use shapes that chronicle your life and your interests!

great question - as many of us out here are as many different quilts that would be created. We've all got our ideas and preferences and I loved reading all your different ideas. As for myself, it would be 'living on the water' related.....fish, shells, beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, flip-flops, etc., etc.! Hmm, I just might have to do that one!

A very interesting quilt

needs a sewing machine, cell phone, computer screen...

For my husband: guitar / music symbols / entwined wedding rings
For my daughter: soccer / swimming / USMC / children
For my son: baseball / fishing / firefighter symbols / children
For myself: sewing/quilting / crafting / books / computer
For all of us: patriotic / church & love of God

Me too, I would do a home and church in center. maybe a building from my hometown. Activities that I participate in, like sewing, quilting, golfing, travel, etc. Some of my family's interests, and just stuff that would make it mine, or for whomever it is for. I like the idea. Is this a whole cloth and then you just applique ?

I would probably do all different cat silhouettes. After that, some of the greek letters used at work, equations, and silhouettes of lab equipment.

Ellie Sienkiewicz (I don't know how she spells it)has a book that I think is being reissued without a word. Or something to that effect. It chronicles what different symbols meant. Such as the Lyre--which means all music in honor of God. Cockscomb--Resurrection Roses, of course romantic love, Hyacinth peace of mind, prudence and so on.

Look at the font called wingdings- it has a bunch of different shapes and using your computer you can adjust the font size and may be able to use as a pattern.

Porpoise, whale, shell, palm tree, ocean wave, flip flops, swimmer, bikini, directional arrows, flower, boat, plane, car, luggage, airport symbols,home, family, sewing machine, needle,rotary cutter, scissors, ball of yarn, crochet hook, bicycle, paint brush, artist pallet, umbrella, raindrop, sun, bird, tree, butterfly, ant, bingo symbols, birth date, football, guitar, singer, drama and tragedy theatrical symbols, (not sure how you would do a quilt in silhouette ?????)

We had to travel a lot with our work, so I designed a quilt from one of our trips, starting with the drawbridge just out our driveway, when I got done, I had a couple of good blocks, but a lot of detour signs. Never finished it. lol You are getting some really good responses. Mine would have to be something with a lot of wild animals, wild flowers, pine trees and a couple of lakes; represents many of my favorite things. Oh, I would have to have a dragon fly somewhere too

Trees, horses and cats.

I think it would be fun. I would have to include my kids favorite cartoon characters, crows, cats, dogs, leaves, rocks, flowers, footprints, maybe put one of the shapes inside a frame applique. Anything that you like, where you have been, or favorite items.

I think it would be fun to do one with all different leaf shapes or all different flower shapes, or cars/trucks for a boy...so many options. I like this idea, I might do one with different batiks and a different shape in each square with black for the different shapes. When you figure yours out post a pic ok?

While taking a college art class we were to do a self portrait. I was recently divorced and attending college full time. As a non-traditional student (older), (a lot older) I was having trouble getting everything done. My portrait was of a witch stirring her cauldron with books, food, kids, trees, truck, dirty dishes, laundry and anything else I felt I was behind on, swirling and spilling over. Got an "A" for that one. It was fun but in the beginning I was really stressed trying to think of myself in a self portrait. Have fun with it!

I think it would be neat to do one representative of your life and experiences. How many children, shape of the houses you've lived in, church, books if you liked reading, foods you made; i.e. loaf of bread, etc. Places you've traveled, shapes of cars you drove. I can visualize something like this being on Antiques Roadshow someday! It's like an autobiography.

I would include a book, church or cross, mixing bowl and spoon, loaf of bread, scissors and sewing machine, dog, cat, something to indicate gardening, birds, house and barn, farm animals, deer,etc