Memory Dash
A second memory quilt for me to keep! This is my first quilt finish of 2022, and for now is just a completed top. I’m very excited to use almost all the remaining shirt fabric for this top. Currently interviewing fabrics for backing, possibly grey minky.
After making the first memory quilt, I only had enough large pieces to make 4″ HSTs, so I decided on a classic Churn Dash block layout with sashing – my two favorite blocks! This quilt makes me very happy and I hope to get it quilted soon.
In Our Hearts
My very first memory quilt – a heart quilt in loving memory of my Dad
The front and back of the quilt is made from my Dad’s old shirts. There were about a dozen cotton shirts, and I was surprised at how much fabric is in every one! Because two of them were dark, I added a crimson batik with tiny hearts for background to help every shirt “pop”. The backing is made with 10″ squares from the backs of the shirts and some of the leftover 2″ squares.
There is no pattern for this quilt, I worked off a picture I saw online and figured out the layout. I used a 60″ ruler to cut 8.5″ large triangles and 4.5″ small triangles for the hearts. The more challenging part was figuring out setting diamonds, which I made from 4.5″ strips and subcut with my Striplogy ruler (by Gudrun from GE Designs). I laid out all blocks first and then assembled in rows, joining one small triangle to one setting diamond, then joining that unit to the large triangle across the row. Each row was pressed in alternating direction to help nest the seams. Ripping old shirting can be dangerous, as the material is fragile, which I realized after some time with my seam ripper, ugh, so I pinned every point and then the assembly was quick and painless!
Quilted it myself on a Gammill long arm with hand-guided meander design. I used Dream Wool batting and King Tut variegated thread #905, which blended beautifully!
Memory Bear
I got this idea from Erica Selman on YouTube and bought the pattern on Etsy on her recommendation. She has a great tutorial on how to make and stuff the bear. This bear will be a keepsake for my brother and now my nephew. The gift bag is made from the leftover triangles after making the first memory quilt.
BrightPatchQuilts 