Looking for pattern suggestions for....
 

For many years I have loved and collected brooches. Because of my fibro I rarely go anywhere or wear anything that would look right with a brooch attached, but then my sweats might cut a swath all brooched up. lol
Anyway, I was trying to think of a way to display them that I could hang so they are out to be seen rather than sitting in a jewelry box. My DH suggested that I make a wall hanging size quilt and pin the brooches to it.
What I'm asking for is suggestions for quilt patterns that might be good for this type of display quilt. Help me out here folks, I know you have just the right ideas for me!
Also, any suggestions as to what fabrics would be good to use? Batiks, solids, tone on tone? I don't want to use a lot of print and lose the brooches, but I don't want it to be boring either. I want to piece it, not just have a solid fabric.

What about a blouse applique, one per block. I’m thinking coirdinate your blouse fabric and background with each brooch, and put sashing between the blocks. Each brooch coukd be pinned or permanently sewn onto the neckline of each blouse .

How about using a patterned fabric for your background, then appliqué squares, circles, and/or ovals in a dark solid color where you would pin your brooches? The jewelry would show up, and the background could match your room/color scheme.

We've sold several at our church bazaar made in a pine tree shape on black velvet. I think a more rounded tree would work, as would large animal shapes like an elephant.

Just a plain old fashion "CRAZY QUILT" with satin, velvet etc...

Completely agree with this. Many of the old (and new) crazy quilts are embellished with jewelry, beads, etc. But I don't know if you do any handwork because they are usually also embellished with fancy hand embroidery stitches.

Another idea along those same lines are the wool Penny quilts. But these also involve doing some fun hand embroidery. Look at stuff by Sue Spargo or at some of the posts that Charismah did recently like this one: https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...e-t301506.html You could do something like that and put the brooches in the wool pennies.

What a good idea from your husband, so that you can enjoy your jewelry and quilting together.

You might consider any of the quilt patterns where there is a focus block or fussy cut area.
Use a plainer fabric, and then pin your brooch in place, as the focus.
As for the actual pattern ... consider what your most favourite is, and see if it would work!

One thing to consider will be the weight the brooches will create, and how to "strengthen" your quilt, so the weight does not pull and distort. Of course, that all depends on how big and weighty they may be. Yours may be little ones that would not cause the problem.

Honestly? I think that a lamp shade decorated with your pins would be fabulous in your bedroom and look like a designer piece.

Not what you are asking for....but I saw a brides bouquet made with old broaches. Stunning (but heavy !)

Tartan, the trees and wreaths are beautiful on Pinterest. I have so much costume jewelry from my mother and MIl that I didn’t know what to do with. Great ideas. Thanks!

Linda, have you seen those Love Letters quilts? Some have openings for old hankies or anything you want really. I just thought how lovely they would look with a brooch as a "clasp". They are gorgeous and I intend to make one someday.
I'm trying to think of where I saw them......... brain fog here!! :)

I did a search for that pattern and saw quite a few. Not sure if any were the one you meant tho. I have a lot of old hankies from my mom and grandma. Perhaps using them for the "flap" with a brooch pinned there as the clasp? I'm getting some great ideas here!!

Is there a pattern somewhere that is like a box that a ring or other jewelry would be gifted in? My first thought was simply to create a quilt with squares and pin the brooches to the squares but then got to wondering about a "box". As another commented, this could get pretty heavy depending on how many brooches you want to display. And black velvet or a blender that gives that effect would be perfect for showing off each one.

I am reminded of a craft project that my mother did many years ago that she made a shadow box using a large antique picture frame. She used jewelry to create a "Christmas" tree shape inside the shadow box. The weight of the jewelry was supported by the back of the shadow box.

I don't have any ideas for you but I hope you'll post a picture when you're through with your project, I'd love to see it. I also think "Red Garnet" had a great idea when she suggested decorating a lamp shade for you bedroom. Good Luck!

wildyard, we are twins separated at birth. I never went anywhere without a suit jacket with a big brooch on it. Nothing I have now has the ability to hold a brooch firm, unless I pin it on through to the bra...Rob found my biggest one, a four incher! They did get a lot of use in my red hatting time warp.

Looking forward to more ideas to go with the good ones already shared.

Marty Michelle has a pattern for a wall hanging that would be perfect. I have it and all the material to make one for my son's Olympic pins. Before I got it made I discovered that taking the pins off the tag backing or out of their original boxes devalued them so never made it. I will see if I can find the name of the pattern.

What an opportunity you have. You are starting with something beautiful that you love and there is no better beginning. You could make a new design that is all your own. My first thought was something like a crazy quilt with all that beautiful stitching to add more texture than just the pins. In my mind's eye, I see a crazy quilt with satins and velvets stitched together around a center reserved to show off each of your brooches. A crazy quilt could even display those family heirloom hankies. Let us know what you come up with, it's definitely going to be exciting to see what you decide.

I had a bunch of pewter buttons I bought from a boutique going out of business and wanted to display them. I digitized a button card. The buttons were heavy and had shanks, so I digitized a buttonhole for the shank and attached them on the back with a pipe cleaner - this way they can be easily removed.

If you google quilt for pin collection you will see lots of ideas. My favorite is the dress making dummy covered with brooches.

I just made a wall hanging for a friend to display hatpins. It was very simple. I had a piece of antique tatting that was fairly heavy that I cut into lengths and stitched onto the sandwiched wall hanging. I staggered them so they look a bit like ruffles but they lay flat and I only stitched them on the top. Then I added binding, making sure to catch all the tatting edges, and a hanging sleeve. Sorry, I mailed it off before taking a picture.

i think i would just cut squares of velvet and velveteen - piece them together - mount the piece on something what would support thd brooches - and frame it.

nothing fancy - but each solid piece could sbow off one of the pons.

I made a pillow and pinned all my broaches and scarf pins to it. I have a big walk in closet and keep it there so I can see it every day. Just for me.

I don't have any velvet or velveteen, I'm thinking I can start checking thrift stores for clothing made with it so I can harvest enough in different colors.

Looking forward to when you find it!!

This may sound crazy, but because of the weight of the broaches, what about using denim instead of batting with velvet or whatever fabric you want for the top. Denim would definitely be a strong enough fabric to hold a heavy broach. You could even us the denim for the top and make a crazy quilt and decorate the denim with lac ribbons etc. ust a thought.

Denim I have plenty of! Using it to add strength to the hanging is a great idea.