Months ago I started to make a memory quilt for my friend Susie. Her husband passed away in September of 2018 and some months later she gave me a stack of his shirts to make a quilt with. I first posted here about this project if you want to see earlier pictures.
Yesterday I had lunch with Susie and (finally) gave her the quilt. She is really happy to have it and I am hoping she enjoys snuggling up with her quilt and a good book now that cooler weather is upon us. I think it finished at about 65 x 75″ so that is a nice size.
This quilt is rustic and cozy. Because all of the shirts were plaids, I chose to make each four patch block with a solid (from various pairs of shorts) and a plaid. The shirts were Rick’s favorites and he had worn some of them quite a bit. This made it nearly impossible to get a straight cut on the plaids. But I didn’t worry about it. This is a memory quilt and it will serve its purpose well.
My favorite part of the quilt is the red flannel that was used as the border and for the two red heart appliqués. The fabric was taken from Rick’s bathrobe and it frames the quilt perfectly. I love the deep red color. The binding is a soft creamy flannel that is in the shop. It seemed to be just the right choice with that rich red border. It complements the pale green gingham backing too.
I don’t know the name (or if there is a name) for this pattern I quilted on the four patch blocks. I quilted a diagonal line and then swooped up one side and down the other creating a leaf shape. It was so easy to do and it looks pretty. I first started with a free motion foot and had a heck of a time getting across the main intersection of the four patch. It made me crazy that I couldn’t get over that point without jumping all over the place. When I finally made the switch to the walking foot, it was just a breeze. I didn’t even think of that in the beginning but this design works really well with a walking foot.
I rarely remember to label quilts but I did put one on the back of this quilt. My handwriting isn’t the best but I am glad I labeled it.
There are some tucks on the backing that really gave me trouble. Other than that, this was a wonderful project and I enjoyed making it. I hope Susie takes comfort in it and loves having the quilt as reminder of her many happy years with Rick.
Bernie,
What a precious treasure for your friend. It gave me goosebumps and I’m sure everyone reading your post and viewing the photographs will share in the love and warmth the quilt brings. Yes, the red flannel bathrobe is the perfect framework representing the strength of their relationship. Thank you for sharing.
A true treasure! When working with reclaimed fabrics, it’s difficult to stay square, so tucks are inevitable. I’m sure Susie was so over the moon upon receiving this beautiful quilt, she didn’t even notice. Well done, Bernie!
What a wonderful quilt. I am sure your friend will love snuggling under it and I know the tucks are part of what needs to be in the quilt – lives and quilts aren’t perfect. What a wonderful job!
What a beautiful and priceless gift for Susie ! It is a treasure. You did a great job.
Beth
Thank you Beth. It was a pleasure.
Well done! I love everything you did to make this memory quilt for your friend. It most definitely suits the purpose. So many nice comforting touches.
Thank you Linda! Hope you are doing well – enjoy your weekend. 🙂
Beautiful!
What a sweet and thoughtful gift you’ve given your friend, Susie. Just reading the post brought tears to my eyes. God bless you both and I hope she’s doing well in coping with her loss. I can’t imagine the pain…but it’s something I think about occasionally as my husband and I have been married nearly 48 years. Sigh. Blessings from a very hot and dry WV! I’ve missed commenting and hope to get back to consistently reading my favorite blogs!
Hi there! I haven’t heard from you in a while now. I know how that goes though – I bounce around on blogs for a while and then it seems I get out of the habit for a bit. Life is so busy. Hope you get some much needed cool weather Kathy!!
I’m sure she will enjoy this quilt for years to come, wrapped up in her husband’s love and memories, and that of a good friend. What a treat that were able to make this for her, Bernie. You did a great job!
It was a treat! And now, on to the next thing. There is always more to be made. 😉
It’s amazing Bernie! What a loving gift. 🙂 My favorite parts are the red flannel from his robe and that gingham backing. Your quilting looks perfect!
Me too – that red flannel was the perfect border. As for perfect quilting – oh my gosh, so far from it. This is one of the wonkier quilts I have made actually. I am thinking part of that was from the really soft fabrics. I stabilized a lot of them but it was a challenge for sure!
What a sweet quilt – a loving tribute and a comfort for Susie.
You are a very good friend, Bernie.
Thanks Preeti – it was a pleasure and 0f course, it makes me really happy to see her enjoying the quilt.
This is a beautiful and meaningful quilt for your friend. I’m sure she’ll treasure it always!
How generous of you to make that quilt for your friend. That’s truly a labor of love, and you did it so well. I know that took a long time to make… I’m not sure I would have had the patience, given how many must-make quilts are on my list! Bless you. I hope your friend appreciates you!
She does – for sure. Hope all is well with you!! Enjoy your weekend.
I love how you used the different kinds of fabric for this memory quilt, Bernie! I think your friend is well get a lot of comfort from it. A wonderful finish!
Hi – it was so easy to make-especially since Susie wanted it to be the simple four patch design. I am happy to do this for her – it has been such a tough year for her. 🙂
Bernie, this quilt looks so cozy. What a warm and loving memory quilt.
Hey Carol! How are you? Nice to hear from you and thank you so much. It is a very cozy quilt – perfect for Susie!!
What a labor of love for your friend. I’m sure it will be such a comfort to her. Such a wonderful way that you incorporated the bathrobe material into the border and the hearts. And yes, this one really needed the label. I like your leaf quilting. I’ve done a similar motif by hand, but didn’t think to try it with a walking foot. Isn’t it amazing the amount of curve you can get with a walking foot? Altogether, a wonderful finish.
Thank you! Yes, quilting that gentle curve was so easy with a walking foot. I love the control I have with that over FMQ. Plus it just handles a thick section much better. I think I need to practice with it more. I have a book on walking foot patterns for quilting but haven’t really put it into practice. Seems like it is time to use it!!
This is so sweet, Bernie. I think the pattern was a perfect choice and I love the flannel border and the hearts. Those little hearts on the label are great, too. I’m sure this will be treasured forever.
Thank you Mari! It was a fun quilt to make and made Susie so happy – which is the perfect reason to make a quilt. 🙂
I loved reading about this memory quilt. I have several of my dad’s shirts, and my sister wants a pillow. We haven’t come up with a plan, so I liked seeing your work.
I did fuse a lightweight woven interfacing to the back of most of the shirts. They were so soft and I was worried about durability. This helped a lot though once they had the stabilizer, any wonky nature of the plaid was set – know what I mean? So the plaids were usually a bit crooked. To me, it was fine and added to the charm of the quilt.
What a cozy quilt. Love the look.i save some cotton shirts from our parents with thoughts of making Dresden plates. However, loving the look of your quilt. Thanks for sharing your creative touch!
What a treasure you’ve presented to Susie! She will will be covered with with Rick’s clothes and be “hugged” by him. You’re a true blessing to her.
Robbin, that is such a sweet way to phrase it. She is really enjoying the quilt and that makes me so happy!!
We love on our friends and we’re the one to be blessed!