Memories Light the Corners of My Mind

As the Fabric Maverick reminded us, there are new beginnings happening all around us. I made a memory jar to commemorate my daughter's First Mother's Day. I was afraid she might think it was hokey, but she seemed genuinely touched.  I have long thought that gifts revolving around memories will be appreciated longer than a gift of the moment such as money or jewelry. Memory quilts capture moments in time.  A memory quilt can be a signature quilt, a photo quilt, a T-shirt quilt or a combination of all of these. These are all great fun to plan and make. I think a T-shirt quilt is ideal for the young graduate. With their help, you can select the T-shirts they love. Select a novelty fabric for the sashing which might recall a hobby or sport they were involved in. For instance, a football player might like BC-744 or a musical person might like BI-926.

At HGTV, you can find the full instructions with pictures to make a T-shirt quilt.

 Instructions:

- Prewash all T-shirts, but don't use softener on them. The T-shirt fabric will not adhere to the fusible interfacing when softener is used.

- You'll need 100 percent cotton fabric for the sashing and backing.

- Fusible interfacing needs to be non-woven, glued only on one side and should not be paper-backed. Paper-backed interfacing usually means that both sides are glue-based. Misty Fuse and Fusiknit are good interfacings to use.

- You'll also need a clear plastic template cut to the desired size your T-shirt panels will be.

Steps:

1. Place the clear plastic template on the T-shirt over the panel and make a rough cut around the template. Cut a piece of fusible interfacing the same size.
2. Turn the T-shirt over so the panel is facing the table and place the interfacing on the T-shirt.
3. Next, place a damp cloth over the interfacing and iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Place the T-shirt on a rotary mat and trim to desired size of T-shirt block adding 1/2-inch for seam allowances. Ours were cut at 12 1/2 inches.
5. Repeat the above steps for all T-shirts, then lay out design.
6. The sashing that goes in between the T-shirt blocks measures 12 1/2" x 2". The cornerstones are two-inch squares. Attach these to the quilt.
7. It is best to tie a T-shirt quilt, but machine quilting is also acceptable. It's not recommended that you hand-quilt. It's very hard for the needle to get in between the fibers of the T-shirt dyes and motifs.

Here are some examples of T- shirt quilts from About.com :

These can be addictive. Graduates will enjoy these for years to come.