Quilting is a wonderful way to explore and use different fabrics to create unique pieces. A memory quilt is a lovely project which allows you to enjoy the memories of clothes and textiles that you might not be using anymore. Instead of throwing away these precious fabrics, you can incorporate them into a quilt and get more use out of them in a different way. As well as providing a way to keep all your memorable pieces in one place, your finished quilt will take you on a journey of reminiscence and is sure to become a family heirloom.
What Types of Fabrics Should You Use in a Memory Quilt?
Most memory quilts use a combination of old and new fabrics. It will depend on the types of materials you have already, the amount, and the size of the quilt you would want to make. Typically you start off with your memory fabrics and then choose complementary fabrics to go with and to finish off your piece. You will also need materials such as quilt wadding and of course matching thread.
When choosing the fabrics, you might be surprised how many pieces of clothing, blankets and other textiles hold nostalgia for you. Baby clothes, uniforms and home decor are all popular sources for sections. A good rule of thumb is to stick to cotton fabrics as these will be easiest to sew and using pieces that have the same level of stretch will help your quilt keep its shape. Make sure when you are cutting the patches to use that you get a memorable part of the item. For example, if a patterned piece of clothing, find a section that is representative of the overall pattern. Sections with embroidery, text and embellishments are all good to include as they will take your mind back to the treasured piece. Make sure to wash and iron all these pieces before you start so they’re fresh and ready to work on! Continue reading
What are Liberty Fabrics?
Christmas is over but there are still several months of cold winter weather before we head into spring. If you’ve been working on a quilt, the long nights at this time of year give a great opportunity to finish and get some use out of it before the temperatures start to rise.
Celebrations include lighting lamps, decorating the house and giving gifts. Sweets and incense are ever-popular gifts, however as Diwali coincides with the onset of colder weather and longer evenings for cosy nights in, why not give a handmade gift blanket? Doughty’s has a fantastic range of quilting fabric for a unique and quirky present your friends and family will love.
With the exception of Christmas, there is no time of year better suited to crafting than Halloween. Whether you’re making a child’s costume from scratch, decorating a Halloween party, or creating cute and creepy plushies for the occasion, there are dozens of projects you can be starting as the dark nights start closing in.
