Memory Quilts

A little over 2 years ago, I started sewing on my grandmother's sewing machine. I started with little things and it grew into piecing quilts. I was asked a little over a year ago to make a memory quilt for someone. A memory quilt can be anything from baby blankets, bibs and favorite sleepers, to be made into a quilt so those favorite pieces aren't just stored away in a tote somewhere, or a memory quilt can be made from a loved one's clothing that has passed away. You can take that quilt and wrap in it and feel their love surrounding you. The very first quilt I ever made was for a very precious little girl whose police officer Dad was killed in the line of duty. Every piece of the following picture was made from his clothing (T-shirts, dress shirts, shorts and BDU pants):

The piece in the middle that looks like a vest is actually pockets from a pair of shorts. It is covering one of his shirts from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. The following picture is what it looks like when it's opened:

After making a quilt for her, I started on one for her Mom. I wanted this one to be made of his clothing, but more "quilt like" in it's pattern. So, anyone looking at it would not realize at first that it was made from his clothing, however, she would know exactly what piece was made from which favorite shirt, shorts and even his pillowcase. It took 6 months to complete this piece as several of the pieces are 1 inch blocks that sewn together make the stars and borders around the large star in the center:

The only material on this quilt that is not his clothing is the dark blue around the edges. Everything else is his clothing. His number was 22-16, so there are 16 stars surrounding the large center star. Total on the piece are 21 stars. I couldn't fit in 22 stars, so I stitched the 22nd star at the top of the quilt (you can't see this in the picture).

Making this quilt was a very emotional experience, but I'm so thankful that the family let me be a part of this.

I am now working on my 3rd quilt, which means that I need to quit writing on my blog and start sewing!