Tuesday, April 16, 2013

7 Shirts Memory Quilt

A friend's father passed away last month, and she wanted to make a quilt from her father's clothes as a gift for one of his grandchildren. 
I recommended the "7 shirts pattern" posted on Life is a Stitch blog and she quickly sewed up the top. I promised to machine quilt it for her and finally had some time to work on it.

Quilting the inner part of the quilt went very well, but the border was  challenging. The problem was that some of the fabrics were a tight weave (maybe pants?) and some were a stretchy loose weave (probably pyjamas). And the border was quite wavy in spots where the stretchy fabric was. I made some pleats to ease in extra waves but you can't really tell unless you get your eyes up close to the quilt. So I was happy with how it turned out overall. 



If you look close up, she also added some pockets, and some labels from his clothing.

My friend will add a denim binding from her father's jeans, and it will be ready to be gifted at his memorial service this weekend. 

18 comments:

Missy Shay said...

What a sweet idea!

Deanna W said...

What a great keep sake of a person you loved.

Ruth said...

It's a great quilt!

Ellen said...

A wonderful keepsake for the grandchild!

McIrish Annie said...

what a nice way to remember him. will have to remember this pattern for a project like this.

The Slow Quilter said...

Somthing to alway remember him by is so sweet.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Thanks for sharing this!!

Janet O. said...

Great pattern for a remembrance quilt of clothing. Glad you knew how to handle the wavy border.

Doniene said...

Kathy, what a wonderful quilt! Tell your friend for me!! I've got two tops finished from my dad's wool shirts! They are a wonderful memorial!! The quilting fits the quilt perfectly!!

Blessings

Dresden Quilter said...

It is wonderful and very thoughtful to do.

Barb said...

what a lovely memory quilt - I'm sure he will love and treasure it.

Barb said...

what a lovely memory quilt - I'm sure he will love and treasure it.

Teresa in Music City said...

What a great idea - and what a great friend you are! :*)

Kindred Quilts said...

A very touching gift for the grandchild... so very special.

Greenmare said...

that is so wonderful. i have some of my father in laws shirts, but i haven't cut into them yet. not sure what I am waiting for. maybe i need to find just the right pattern.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

What a lovely way to remember some one...every time they are curled up in that quilt it will be like getting a hug.

Teresa said...

What a great quilt!

Kate said...

What a great family heirloom!