A memory quilt is a quilt made out of pieces of fabric, clothing, or other textiles that hold special significance and help preserve memories. The fabric pieces come from sources like old baby clothes, ties, t-shirts, dresses, aprons, or other garments that trigger certain memories and emotions. Memory quilts are often made to celebrate major life events, remember loved ones who have passed away, or as gifts for special occasions. They can take on any pattern or layout, but the key is that each fabric piece contributes to the quilt’s commemorative theme.
What is the purpose of a memory quilt?
There are a few main reasons someone may choose to make a memory quilt:
- To create an heirloom keepsake
- To preserve fabrics and clothing with sentimental meaning
- To remember a loved one who has passed away
- To commemorate a major life event like a graduation, wedding, new baby, etc.
- To gift as a meaningful present for a birthday, anniversary, holiday, etc.
The quilt becomes a tangible way to hold onto cherished memories connected to the different fabrics used. Many people feel closer to lost loved ones or special times in their life when they wrap themselves in a memory quilt.
What types of fabric are used?
Almost any type of fabric can be used to make a memory quilt. Here are some of the most common sources of fabric:
- Baby clothes
- T-shirts
- Neckties
- Dresses
- Apron
- Handkerchiefs
- Scarves
- Socks
- Blankets
- Jewelry pouches
- Caps & hats
- Uniforms
- Wedding attire
- Pajamas
- Halloween costumes
- Stuffed animals
- Ribbons
- Tablecloths
Choose fabrics that are meaningful in some way, like a baby blanket, your grandmother’s apron, the shirt your kids wore home from the hospital, your spouse’s old ties, etc. The more memory connection the fabric has, the more special the quilt will be.
What sizes are memory quilts?
Memory quilts can be made in any size, but some typical sizes include:
- Baby quilts around 30″ x 40″
- Lap quilts around 45″ x 60″
- Twin size around 66″ x 86″
- Full/Queen around 84″ x 90″
- King around 104″ x 98″
The size depends on your purpose for the quilt and how many meaningful pieces of fabric you have to work with. A larger quilt will allow you to incorporate more fabrics while a smaller quilt can be more manageable for beginners. Square quilts are very common, but you can also do a rectangular layout.
What types of patterns are used?
Memory quilts utilize all kinds of quilt patterns. Some common ones include:
- Patchwork – Piecing together squares, rectangles, triangles to form a pattern
- Trip Around the World – Using fabric strips pieced into concentric squares/rectangles
- T-Shirt Quilts – Made from t-shirts cut into blocks
- Photo Transfer Quilts – Photos printed onto fabric and used as blocks
- Embroidered Quilts – Meaningful words or messages embroidered onto blocks
- Storybook Quilts – Fabric blocks depict a storytelling theme
- Crazy Quilts – Irregular fabric pieces in abstract designs
Use a pattern style that suits the fabrics you have collected. The pattern can be simple or complex. Some people even piece fabrics together randomly for a homey, scrappy look.
How are the fabrics prepared?
Preparing the fabrics is an important first step:
- Wash, dry, and iron all fabrics to stabilize them for sewing
- Square off uneven edges so blocks will piece together neatly
- Cut or tear fabrics into your desired shapes and sizes
- Use special products to stabilize delicate fabrics before cutting to avoid fraying
Many people keep special clothing intact and inset the fabric as a whole into a quilt block. Take care not to cut pieces too small or narrow or they may not withstand the quilting process.
How do you assemble a memory quilt?
A memory quilt is assembled similarly to any other quilt but requires some special care. Here are some tips:
- Lay out your meaningful fabrics prior to sewing to achieve your desired layout
- Hand or machine piece fabrics together into blocks, then join the blocks to form the quilt top
- Use coordinating solid fabrics as needed to frame blocks or create sashing between blocks
- Layer with batting and backing fabric and baste the layers together
- Quilt as desired – tie quilting, hand quilting, machine quilting or a mix
- Bind edges to finish
- Add a fabric label documenting quilt details and origin of fabrics
Go slowly and handle fragile fabrics gently. Use strong construction methods so the quilt remains an heirloom.
What types of quilting designs are used?
Memory quilts can be quilted in many decorative styles:
- Tie quilting – Yarn ties stitched through all layers at regular intervals
- Stippling – Freehand wavy lines stitched close together
- Channel quilting – Straight lines that follow the patchwork
- Cross hatching – Straight lines stitched in an intersecting grid pattern
- Echo quilting – Stitches that radiate outward from a central design
- Free motion quilting – Improvisational spirals, swirls and shapes
- Hand quilting – Decorative stitches quilted by hand using a hoop
You can quilt initials, dates, messages or decorative images that enhance the theme and provide texture. Use solid colored thread that coordinates or contrasts with the top.
How do you add a meaningful label?
An embroidered or printed label provides vital documentation for a memory quilt. Be sure to capture:
- The quilt name
- Date completed
- Who made it
- Occasion or inspiration for the quilt
- Where it was made
You can add additional details about the quilter or significance of various fabrics on a larger label if desired. Customize the look and shape of the label to complement the quilt design. Attach it securely to the back when quilt construction is complete.
What types of backing fabric and batting are used?
Backing Fabric
Memory quilts typically use a coordinating solid or subtle print fabric as backing. Avoid a bold print that might distract from the meaningful topside patchwork. Consider light-weight broadcloth, muslin or flannel. Seek fabrics labeled for quilting that are colorfast and durable. Allow for a minimum of 2″ extra on each side.
Batting/Filler
The filler creates loft and warmth between the quilt top and backing. Polyester or cotton batting is common. Seek low-loft thin batting to prevent over-shadowing delicate top patches. Quilter’s Dream batting comes in various lofts suitable for memory quilts.
What binding techniques are used?
Binding finishes the raw quilting edges neatly and is both practical and decorative. Common types include:
Double Fold Binding
Cut fabric strips on the bias grain, fold in half and sew to edges either by hand or machine. Great for beginners.
Facing
Backing and batting are trimmed then top fabric wrapped around and secured only to the back for a clean frontfacing. No binding shows.
Self Binding
The quilt back and batting are trimmed slightly larger than the top. Press backing fabric over to front and edgestitch by machine or hand.
Invisible Binding
After trimming backing/batting, top is folded to back and edgestitched inside the quilt layers so no stitching shows on either side.
What tools do you need to make a memory quilt?
Cutting Tools
- Rotary cutter, mat and acrylic ruler for fabric trimming
- Scissors – both paper and fabric scissors
- Pinking shears to prevent fraying
Sewing Tools
- Sewing machine for piecing, quilting and binding
- Hand sewing needles
- Pins, clips and tape for fabric assembly
- Seam ripper for correcting mistakes
Quilting Tools
- Marking tools like fabric chalk pencils
- Quilting hoops and frames to hold the layers taut
Finishing Tools
- Iron and pressing surface
- Binding clips or tape
- Hand sewing needles for binding
What tips help create a beautiful memory quilt?
- Start with fabrics washed and pressed
- Arrange fabrics attractively before cutting and sewing
- Stabilize delicate fabrics first before handling
- Always use 1/4″ seam allowances for patchwork
- Check dimensions as you assemble to ensure square blocks
- Press seams after piecing each block
- Baste layers very well before quilting
- Do your best quilting to make it meaningful
- Bind carefully by hand or machine
- Add a heartfelt label documenting the quilt story
Conclusion
Creating a memory quilt takes time, care and love. Follow the construction steps while handling precious fabrics gently. Add details like decorative stitching, buttons, ribbons or embroidery that make the quilt even more special. The finished quilt will become an heirloom to cherish for generations. When wrapping up in it, memories will be kept close in a meaningful, cozy and beautiful way.
