Theatre Memory Quilt Project
 

Lil bit about me first... I am a novice quilter with limited experience with a sewing machine. I have always had a passion for quilts but w/my limited vision (20/100 uncorrectable) I haven't worked much with it. I do use modifications to make things a bit easier to see. I have only made 2 large quilts (A king size Cathedral Window (part by machine "windows" by hand) & a queen size Panel quilt by machine)

My 17 yr old (senior in high school) has been in drama & theatre classes since Jr. High. He also has done some plays outside the school system. I am working on a Memory Quilt for him. Basic design: 8"x 10" blocks, borders, Sashing, Corner Stones.

CREATIVE THINKING: I was wanting to be more creative and try to do something to include other types of blocks instead of just printed images. I have never appliquéd or anything like that. I suppose I could find an image of those masks & print. I had thought about trying to enlarge or make some kind of template of the masks but wouldn't know where to begin on how to accomplish it. I would have to cut out the eyes, mouth, etc with an exacto knife. I worry about those parts fraying after I applique them on a piece of fabric.

CLEANING CONCERNS: That it has to be dry cleaned only. I know the reasoning due to printed images. My worry is that I had read somewhere that even being dry cleaned, some of their chemicals may cause problems. I would love to hear from some of you that have done memory quilts to get your thoughts on this matter. I kind of wished he had requested a different kind of quilt but I'm not liking that it can't be washed.

FABRIC CUTTING: Getting the images he wants from him is taking forever! I am ready to get moving on this. I could cut my fabrics ahead of time, but worry I might calculate wrong. The best option on this for me is to measure & cut as I go. ALL of it is having to be stabilized before cutting due to the fabric I am using.

I hope to see you all here on my journey with this and be willing to share you knowledge. I have the upmost respect for all of you talented peeps! I am a bit nervous due to my lack of experience.

I would look into Spoonflower.com or fotosonfabric.com to print out your photos and clip art to the size you want on fabric so that there will be no fading. Good luck!!

Teresa,

Since you've received only one response so far, I want to wish you the best on this quilt for your son. I can't provide any wisdom because I've never used any of the techniques you mention above. Krafty14's advice is excellent. I do hope others on this amazingly generous site will also reach out to you.

Sue

it will cost a little more, but Spoonflower will give you the best images. You don't say what the fabric is that you plan to use, but I get the impression it's not cotton? I'd use cotton just so you don't have to stablize it and also because I think you will get better (more lasting) printed images.
As far as washing--I would never dry clean a quilt(unless maybe it was wools and silks) but would inform your son that it would need to be hand washed--so he best not treat it roughly!

Is this a T-shirt quilt and then you want to add additional blocks with printed images or appliqued blocks? If it is, there are excellent youtube videos about assembling and stabilizing t-shirts for a quilt top. As for applique images, there is the option of machine applique. Or what about embroidered images? Can you get your hands on an embroidery machine? Urbanthreads.com has some awesome images for machine embroidery that would look excellent as a quilt block. Like this one:

http://www.urbanthreads.com/products...oductid=UT2581

I've made one t-shirt quilt that was a combo of knit and woven shirts and then backed it with fleece and tied it with yarn. Not sure if this is helpful, but good luck to you. What a great gift for your son!

This might be a tad "off topic" - but have you seen Claire Rowley's sewing machine feet, or watched her YouTube videos? She designed many of the feet for a friend who is either blind or legally blind, so the feet do most of the work. You might want to check those out.

I had understood that the newer processes for printing pictures on fabric COULD be washed and dried with little to no fading at all, once the ink was heat set onto the fabric.......You might want to check that out.........


GOOD LUCK with your project!! Your ideas are wonderful..........

I can't help either. However, let us know how it goes. My sister wants to do a memory quilt, so anything you learn, I hope you share. She wants to do a family history quilt. I said I'd make the quilt, but she has to do the photos.
bkay

When I want a quilt to use, I make a t-shirt quilt. When I want to use photos, I make a wall hanging. Good luck with your project and keep us posted.

Thank you all for your kind responses and input. I have been crazy busy so haven't had a chance to get back here. It is coming along ok. (will post pics when I get a chance). I am going to do the QAYG method. I am not fond of some of the images he has chosen but it is his quilt. Not enough color to suit me. He also wanted the date in the black border. I did it but not happy with the font my machine uses. The 2s do not look like 2s, lol.

I ended up printing on my home inkjet. I appreciate the suggestions on this but wasn't able to go that route. Will def make note of it for next time. Most turned out ok but the ones with heavy graphics came out with lines on them. Which is still workable because my backing has lines.

WHAT NOT TO DO: Use a sheet for the backing. Was making do with what I had. Too late to turn back now.

@bkay: SUPPLIES I AM USING
1. Printer fabric: June Tailor Computer Printer Fabric 10/Pkg
http://www.joann.com/june-tailor-com...v6saAv3Y8P8HAQ
2. Fusible Interfacing: Pellon® P44FJAS Fusible Interfacing
http://www.joann.com/pellon-p44fjas-...facing&start=2

Thank you for the suggestion. I will def look into it. This is the reason I always use contrasting thread color, too.
I call it "my signature". I like it though. I think it gives the quilt more character.