Memory Quilts: No Two Are Alike

Like a person's memories are different, so too is each memory quilt. Even if two sisters make a memory quilt about commemorating a certain event or person, it will be unique as each person's recollection of past events is filtered through inner lenses of experience and emotion. As a result, colors will be different and so will the focus of the event. What may mean something very important to one may mean nothing to another person and vice versa.

When you look at antique or vintage quilts, you will generally see this because the person who created it is motivated by something that happened in their own personal interpretation of life. You know the saying: Life happens, but with that, how each person internalizes those events is altogether unique. Even when it comes to making utility quilts, the use and patterning will be loved by one and only moderately liked by another. What is beauty to one person may only be passing neutrality to someone else.

For this reason, many people enjoy making quilts, because its fun and they are trying to recapture through fabric and pattern something that reflects that feeling.

Memory quilts are usually made in remembrance of some happy event like a wedding. Quilts like these can be pieced together squares with the names of the Bride and Groom, a representation of the Bride's bouquet, wedding rings and things that represent each person like building blocks for a teacher or mother and a wrench for the husband who may be a mechanic. It can also have photos of them growing up by using light sensitive fabric which has been available since 1992.

Another memory quilt can be made from printable fabric which is put out by Printed Treasures so that the squares can easily be merged into the overall pattern of the quilt. You can also use T-shirts that have logos. Just cut out the logos and sew them together with traditional quilting blocks. This is a great way to reuse old T-shirts that people have outgrown.

As you can see, there are many different and fun ways to make memory quilts. You can feel free to let loose your creative spirit and come up with a unique, different quilt that will be good to display or give away to a loved one.