{Post 1,776} Memory Quilt

 I wanted to get a post up of this quilt because it is slightly in the past now. It was not my usual colors or technique. We have befriended a college student (Josiah) that attends our church. His parents are missionaries in Ireland. His grandfather was a pastor in Wisconsin. Josiah’s grandfather needed care near the end of his life, so his mother (Jenny) came to the states to care for him. She and I connected because I’m sorta her son’s “mother/grandmother” while he is here for school. My husband and I have had Josiah over numerous times, he has stayed with us for a few days here and there before or after school breaks, I’ve taken him to the airport, etc. When Jenny’s father passed away, I offered to make her a memory quilt from some of his shirts. It took a while for everything to come together. I suggested various shirt quilt patterns I’ve used before. She didn’t care for any of them and found a pattern on her own. I did not want to make it. I don’t like doing fussy work or appliqué (although I have the skills). Here is what she picked.

I tried to get her to pick something else, but I was unsuccessful. In the end, I loved it. I just didn’t love the process. But I am a woman of my word, so I pressed on (literally and figuratively). Here are some process pictures, and the finished product. She loved it, and I did, too.

This ended up being 60” x 76”. The first picture is me trying out various shirt types to see if they would all fuse to the background! The other are self-explanatory. Enjoy!