breton girl

I want to make a memory quilt for me with things from my parents. I have been looking at various memory quilt ideas but have not seen anything quite like the one I want to do.

I don't have clothes from my mother as she died 40 years ago. I do have a few shirts of my dad's who died 2 years ago.

I want to make blocks showing aspects and experiences of their lives rather than using their clothes. I have things like cap badges, blazer badges and bits of costume jewelry I would like to incorporate. For example, Dad was in India in the army in the 1940's so I would like to use some fabric which represents this.
I thought I could also scan some pictures and print onto fabric for some blocks too.

Has anyone made or seen anything like this? It would be nice to have an idea of how it might work.

Thanks everyone for reading this!
Sally

nativetexan

I"ve only done one memory quilt and that was all photos. Have you done a search online? I would try for images of some memory quilts incorporating items. Good luck.

hobbykat1955

Almost sounds like what a "Crazy Quilt" would be with diff items i.e. pins, diff pieces of material, photos...That's how I'd approach it.

breton girl

I like the 'Crazy Quilt' idea - I think that's the way to go!
Thank you!

hobbykat1955

Did this as a gift for a friend. We challenge each other that 12things had to be incorp. I.e. Since we both lived in NY something that represented it, I emb the empire st bldg, hand stitches in areas, our initials, beading, use fabric that she sent me and vice versa, she sent me that fish fabric etc...

I think using the crazy quilt way gives u all kinds of options with diff texture fabrics, stitches and items...post photos when done ...

breton girl

Hobbykat, I've been thinking a lot since I read your reply. I think this will be perfect as I have cuff links, ties, coins (Indian ones with holes in them) brooches and all sorts of of other stuff to use. I need to get the notebook out and start sketching!
Thank you for setting me off on this path!

hobbykat1955

Def the way to go...Glad to help...I just love Crazy Quilts just for that reason...So many things can be incorporated.
Think wall hanging versus a quilt...Even if it means doing two panels side by side or even 3...A larger in the middle and then 2 side panels...

Mkotch

I made a wallhanging to celebrate a nephew-in-law's retirement from the Army, incorporating fabric from his various uniforms (Desert Storm, etc.), a hat (lower left), 505 cord, medals and badges, etc. [ATTACH=CONFIG]616642[/ATTACH]

EmiliasNana

The memory quilt I made for my MIL was more applique, represented here: Appliqued Memory Quilt for MIL's 90th and was two sided with names, places and events incorporated in a crossword puzzle printed by Spoonflower on the back. Possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

sewnclog

I did one years ago for my parents 50th anniversary. I got the idea from one I saw that someone had done for their parents. I put on the outline of our state with the 13 stars in it; the state bird (cardinal); my mom loved crosswords and both were ham operators, so I did their call sign in crossword fashion; one of my sisters did pictures of our grandparents and they were incorporated in it; my sister found their engagement announcement so that went on it and I had all my siblings, spouses and my parents siblings write something on the sashing. I now have it since my parents are now both gone. My mom was on her hands and knees going over every single block when they got it. 4 of the 6 of us put in pictures of of ourselves or a hobby. They had a cat so I put it on a corner on point; the blocks on the side I put in sideways so you didn't have to crane your neck to see them; they hung square off the edge of the bed. It was one of the first major quilts I ever did; I "When we know better, we do better".