Memory Quilt- HELP!!

[Dinobabe]

Adriana Rose!  I love the idea of a memory quilt!  In fact, we had a dear friend die yesterday morning at 62, leaving his wife and 12 year old twins.  The funeral won't be until Aug. 6, lots of out of town friends to notify.  I would love to make one for the family but as you can see I am short on time.  I have a box of t-shirt transfers and an old comforter cover or a bed sheet that should work to cut up.  Any suggestions on how to do this quick?  What about the size; smaller=faster but I don't want it to look dinky.  I also thought I would leave some blank squares for people to sign.  All suggestions welcome!

[Adriana Rose]

Ok!
We used the t-shirt transfers they work great! Just becareful if its a black and white photo it may look greenish (maybe I had a bad batch for that )  Its a ink hog just so you know

We used an old sheet for the actual transfers white is the best, then we cut them into squares and then stitched them on to the base fabric. We zigzaged them on to make them look hand stitched, I pinned and mom stitched then when we got tired we swapped and it was done fairly quick.

The blank squares are an awesome idea.

Use a buddy system to get it done!

[gem]

I'm so sorry about your friend. How awful for his family.

The photo quilts I have seen do tend to be smaller--think wallhanging vs bed-sized--because I think most people want them for display, not so much to cuddle up with. You can avoid the "small = dinky" effect by using really sophisticated fabrics (maybe scraps from your garb stash?) and classy layouts.

[Dinobabe]

Ya, I figured since it would be a wall hang style then smaller was ok.  Maybe 3' X 3'?  How big should each square be, typical photo size (5x7 or trim to 5X5)?  I figured the empty squares were a great cheat and would help get it done faster!  I could put a neat border on from my stash.

What would the base fabric be?  I've never made a quilt before, always wanted to.  I thought I would use the sheet for the transfers, batting in between, then the comforter cover for the back.  It's a nice white on white stripes with a bit of a sheen.  I assume then the "sheet" pieces need to be sewn on to another piece of fabric, maybe another layer of sheet?

Do you sew edge to edge or right sides together for the squares?  I like the zigzag idea.  Sounds like you stitched right onto the base fabric with the zigzag so that would be edge to edge?

Thanks guys!!!!

[Rani Zemirah]

You could adhere the sheet squares to a fusible backing to give them more stability. 

[Adriana Rose]

With the one that I made i cut the photos off the fabric that I ironed them on and then stitched them on one by one. For the base I edged it with a decorative fabric on a plain backround, pinned batting on to the back, then the backing fabric sewed it togeather. Then mom helped me stitch the pictures on ( my kiddo was just 6 months when I was working on that so he desided that time was the time he HAD to be held) so they were kind of puffy.

[Dinobabe]

I've been looking at the sew-as-you-go method.  This will be my first quilt so I'm a bit nervous but I think I have it figured out.  The nice thing is that I will be using an old sheet so if I mess up a bit I have plenty of extra fabric!

To save time since the funeral is in a week AND I will be out of town for 4 days (otherwise I would do it the ultra correct way) I think I will stitch each block into rows and then sew as you go in rows directly onto the batting and backing like for a strip quilt/runner (instead of the by the block method).  I like the zigzag stitch so I could go back over the block edges when I'm finished and it will finish the quilting.

What do you think?


On a side note, I came across this GREAT YouTube channel that has quilting tutorials!  It's been a big help.
http://www.youtube.com/user/MissouriQuiltCo#p/u/47/R685a6CDyCg

[raevyncait]

Have you considered doing the just the top for the funeral, and having it available for anyone who wishes to sign, and perhaps a few extra squares in case the ones already on the top are filled up, and then doing the actual quilting part after it's over? 
The ladies at my church several years ago, as a fundraiser for missions sold blocks for members to sign on our 50th anniversary, then quilted it all together after the blocks were signed.

[Dinobabe]

I love the idea, thank you!  For some reason I have this need to have a finished quilt.  Weird I guess.  But that would be great for other quilting opportunities.

[gem]

Natasha, I wouldn't worry about having the quilt done for the funeral. First, if the death was sudden and unexpected, his family may be in no state to receive it with the joy and affection they would want to, in a calmer time. But also, there's always a big rush of condolences and support immediately after a death, but friends seem to drift away in the weeks and months following the funeral, and it will be an especially lovely and appreciated gesture for the family to know that you are still thinking of their loved one as time goes on--that you still remember him and he has not been forgotten.

[Dinobabe]

Thanks Gem.  I know from experience how funerals finish off the grief quickly.

I understand the drifting away part, which is usually true.  The nice thing is that I don't think that's possible with this group.  Freddie was an employee of Fedex for over 30 years, stuck his nose into everybody's business (in a good way), had many interactive hobbies, and when you became his friend you were automatically ingrained in his life forever!  People were flocking from out of town (PA, SC, FL, etc., not just 1 hr drives) to see him in the hospital.  Many people, including us, watched his boys grow up.  He has left an amazing legacy behind, it's just too bad he had to do it so early.  His wife will not be left without a support system, we will always be there for them.

I'm not trying to be pushy but I am trying to push it (make sense?).  I am making the quilt so that people can sign it at the service.  There will be a LOT, LOT, LOT of out of town people and I want them to have the chance to sign the quilt.  Maybe the edges won't be finished or something but I at least want the photos and the main square ready so they can see what it looks like.  Since the funeral isn't until Aug. 6 I figure I should be able to finish it by then.  I just wanted you to know my thought process so you didn't feel I was blowing your, or anyone's, advice off.  I wouldn't have posted if I didn't desire and appreciate all of the advice I have received!  You guys often have made me stop and think more in depth about things by answering my posts or other people's.  I thank you for always being there, whether it be for pirating or patterns, garbing or giggling, fabrics or funerals.