We just went to a wedding where every one asked to dress as a Pirate/shipmate/fancy lady/hag, to our surprize only one couple did not dress up. It was so much fun.

I provided squares for my daughters graduation. Everyone drew pictures with fabric markers. I later made it into a quilt it was lots of fun. My son just go married and we had a wooden bench everyone signed.

For a friend's wedding, I ironed freezer paper to a white tone-on-tone fabric and then cut 4" squares with my rotary cutter using a pinking blade. Then we asked everyone at the reception to write a message or sign a square using Perma pens we provided. The freezer paper stabilized the squares and the pinking prevented raveling. After the reception, we took the paper off the squares, ironed them to heat set the signatures/messages and then used them to make her a quilt.

If you hand out squares for people to write on mark a seam allowance because people WILL write all the way to the edge and then you will lose part of their words when sewing together. Ironing squares onto freezer paper is a great idea. Maybe a 4" freezer paper square centered on a 5" fabric square leaving a half inch seam allowance. That way you have schooch room.

I made my DS and DIL a wedding quilt. The front was a heart done similiar to a bargello. The back was done with 6" squares where the bridal party had written wishes on them. I then took their engagement photo and wedding photo, copied them onto fabric and made the back. They loved it. Hope this helps.

Or you could have the fabric over the correct size cardboard backing, with extra fabric taped to the back of the stiff cardboard.
That would keep everything the same size and no one could go out of the lines. Lots of people, adults as well as kids, tend to get artistic and go all over the "canvas" when signing names.

So not quilty, but....

We went to a wedding this past weekend and the bride (who admittedly is quite artistic) had drawn a tree on a really nice heavy paper, probably 24" x 18". At the reception, where the guest book would be, this was out, with red, orange and gold permanent ink pads (fall colors).

Each guest was asked to leave a fingerprint/thumbprint and put their name on/under it. Some people also left a short message. There were alcohol pads to wipe the ink off the finger.

By the end of the evening, it really looked nice. She's planning to frame it.

My younger son is getting married in April and I am planning to make them a signature quilt. They had some wonderful engagement pictures taken and I am going to print one large (8" x 10") (on fabric) for the center and put smaller pictures around it with large white border spaces sashed with black. Then do some decorative blocks with red, black and white (wedding colors) to use as a border. This (hopefully) will look something like a collage frame. We will diplay it on a large board (maybe foam) and supply some permanent fabric pens for guests to sign in the white areas. This will be wallhanging size so they can hang it later.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and good luck on whatever you decide to do!

My DD made signature blocks for our 50th anniversary. She put freezer paper on the back where she wanted them to sign.This made the pen work better on the front side. She also made a 1/4 seam line lightly on the block and ask everyone to sign inside the seam line. She had someone standing at the table where the blocks were so if anyone had a question they could let them know exactly what was desired.

Thank you all!! I appreciate all your input and suggestions. Esp about the freezer paper... wouldn't have thought of that either! :)