Input/Guidance Please for an idea
 

Good Morning Everyone,

I am more of a lurker, and definitely a newbie when it comes to quilting (haven't finished a project yet). However, I so enjoy reading this board and seeing all the beautiful projects and the great support and encouragement that everyone gives to each other. This is truly a positive place with positive people!!!!! So, I am hoping that someone can give me some input or help me bring an idea to life. Some backstory:

I have a 10 year old DD who is a competitive dancer. She has been competing since she was 3 (only because her sister was doing it and she wanted to try it - now her sister does not do it). Dance is her passion in life at this point. She eats, sleeps and breathes dance. Our dance studio is like a family in many respects. Many of the older girls are a big sister to her. There is one in particular - G, a junior in HS - who has been an encouragement and a help since DD has been very little. Unfortunately, G lost her mother this last November very unexpectedly. It has been a painful time for our entire studio as her mother (who was also my friend) was the epitome of a kind and caring person on this earth (closest thing to an angel I have ever seen).

Last summer we were painting the studio and we were cleaning out OLD costumes. My DD found an old pair of lavender velvet costume pants that had been G's and G gave them to her. These pants are HIDEOUS and we all laughed at how funny they are. My DD loves these pants and wants to wear them to bed all the time. G thinks this is hilarious and we were joking last week about it because I told G that she will be getting them back one day soon.

So -- finally -- my idea. Since G will be a graduating senior next year, I would like to make her a quilt and incorporate the pants into the quilt. Ideally, I would like to take the pants apart that the seams and have the front of the them on the front of the quilt and the back of the pants on the back of the quilt (maybe applique?). Does this sound weird?? Does it sound doable???

Thanks for reading this far!!!

Jacki

That sounds like a fun idea, so why not? I would appliqué them rather that trying to build blocks around them. Good luck and send photos!

What a sweet idea! My only concern is whether DD is willing to part with the pants. They obviously mean a lot to her. Maybe incorporate part of the pants in a quilt for DD too? Or perhaps DD would like to help make the quilt for G?

Another idea - is there some item of clothing that belonged to G's mother that could also be used in the quilt?

I think you should let your DD keep the pants if they mean a lot to her - hideous or not.

Maybe you could incorporate other things into something for G.

I assume the velvet pants are washable... need to be for a quilt. you might just think of using squares cut from the pants rather than the whole front and back. mainly due to quilting distance needs. or quilt first and then add the pants as applique.

Thank you everyone for the input.

1) DD is okay with parting with the pants. We have duscussed it and if it's for G, she's cool with it and they are almost too tight on her at this point.

2) I like the idea of incorporating something of G's mom but not sure I could get ahold of it.

3) Luckily the pants are washable.

Thank you again.

Truly a very special idea you have.

Your story is very touching. Those pants made me think of the the movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, where the pants fulfilled some necessary need for each friend. I was wondering if you could perhaps cut out many small versions of the pants from the pants themselves, and then applique them to many blocks. Maybe the dance group could autograph the blocks too, so that G will have a memento of her dancing family.

I would do exactly as you first suggested. Sounds like a great, original idea to me. My next question would be why do YOU have to quilt it? You and your daughter can have the fun of taking the pants apart at the side seams and appliqueing them to the fabric that you and she decide on. Since we've already established the pants are washable we want to make sure the whole thing can be washed so, I would find someone who will quilt it for you. Good Luck!

Love this whole story!

I like the idea of something for both your DD and G ... so here is my suggestion.
Snip the pants apart as you have been planning .... and applique the front onto one quilt and the back onto the other quilt.

The other side of both quilts could be a more traditional pattern or just a plain fabric.
Both girls would then have options as to which side they want to show as the front.

The pants side would be like a hidden surprise if the other side was what people see.

That was my idea ... but I do think GingerK's suggestion is a wonderful one.
That is, if you want to include the others from the dance "family" in this.

However, this might start something you may not want to do ...
... with others wondering, so why don't I get a quilt.

A wonderful thought! Let us know what you finally decide. Show us the finished product, please.

What a cute idea!!!!!!!! Here's what I came up with, Do the tights stop at the ankle (no feet)? To get more mileage out of them - and so that you can make a blanket for your DD too - trace them on a "shadow" fabric for the back. Draw feet or ballet shoes and place them in a ballet position. Position 1 on front and position 2 on back, for example.
Then you can make the same blanket for your DD out of the other side of the tights. Just a thought.......
Whatever you do, even if you just incorporate a square of that fabric in your quilt - it's a very, very special thing that you are doing.

I think it is a great idea. Play around with them to look at different angles, such as bent over or kicking up a leg. If you find a posture you like, you can clip and stitch them into that configuration before attaching as an applique. Please post a pic when you finish.

Better still, could you de-construct a pair of shoes that the girls each wore and include them?

I think the idea is cute, however I wonder if it would be just as cute (and easier to do) with a lavender fabric, cut to shape. She would recognize the "idea" and backstory of the pants and "get it." It sounds like the real pants have been worn and washed to within an inch of usefulness. Not sure if I would want to work with that, particularly as a beginner.

Regardless of what you decide, I think it is a sweet idea.

I don't have any suggestions for you but I wanted you to know that it is an awesome idea. There are lots of good ideas here from everyone to help you decide what you want to do. Please show us when you finish.

Thank you again everyone. Such great ideas!!!!! I knew this was the right place to come for input. I am finishing up my school year and getting ready for our recital (10 day event) and dance nationals, so I am going to think on all this for a little. But, I will come back and update everyone. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!!!!

I would make some 9 or 12 inch blocks and appliqué different dance motifs with that fabric and maybe some pieces of other costumes

I love GingerK's idea of doing little versions of the pants appliquéd of many blocks.

Love everyone's ideas! Another one to add in is to use each leg to make a roll pillow. Two girls, two pillows! You could even use an embroidery machine to add in a dance quote, a name, dates, etc on the pillow. Good luck with whatever project you choose. Very sweet and thoughtful.

My first thought too was some of mom's clothing. Maybe you could contact the husband and see if they still have any of her clothing that they are willing to part with. I LOVE the idea of the front of the pants and on the front and the back of the pants on the back. A VERY cool idea.