Quilting Grammy's Love: A Memory Quilt Journey

SunRae Designs
Apr 30
4 min read

While I know how to make T-shirt and memory quilts, I don't consider myself a T-shirt quilt maker—it's not the focus of my business. However, for this blog, I will take you through my journey and the process of creating a special memory quilt for a very sweet little girl.

The Gift of Trust

When I began quilting, my friends and family were very excited. All the precious shirts they had collected over the years could now be turned into a quilt by someone they trust. It's hard to give your beloved items to a stranger and feel that they will value them as much as you do. For my loved ones, this was the moment they had been waiting for. But for me, I felt the pressure. And with that pressure, my love for quilting grew even deeper—who would have thought?

Over the years, I've promised quilts to many loved ones. This year, I'm honoring all those yeses—and this is one of ten I've committed to completing.

A Box Full of Shirts

Last year, as my family was returning to Texas from our visit back home in South Mississippi, my dear friend Tiffany gave me a box full of shirts. As I held the box, I was full of confidence and ideas. It was not until I arrived home and opened the box that humility hit me like a ton of bricks. How can I create something worthy of these amazing people? How am I going to turn the wardrobe of their beloved mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother into a quilt that looks nice? How am I going to do this? These questions and more were the only things I could hear for days. Then, I said, "Enough is enough—get started so you can answer those questions."

Designing Digitally

My first step is getting myself organized digitally. (I have now labeled myself as a digital quilter, and a digital quilter is what I am.) Except for keeping the pieces large and having three special shirts, I was given creative control. I prefer creative control, but it comes with its challenges.

I start by taking photos of all the shirts, cropping them, and placing them in Adobe Illustrator. Then, the madness begins, and it's time to have fun and design. As the design comes together, my confidence starts to return, but I have learned that humility will come back! So, I resist the urge to celebrate too soon. My experience has taught me there is no fun in that. Once I am satisfied with the design options, I send a photo for the owner to choose their preferred layout. Here is the one Tiffany chose. I was excited by her choice, as it was the same as mine.

Creating the Pattern

This step is both fun and enlightening, as I often discover that I have created something that will not be easy to make. It's easy to play on the computer only to realize that creating the quilt will take some effort. I've improved while designing and consider the future. 😂.

Making the Quilt Top

First, I prep the shirts. I typically do not stabilize, but for this quilt, I wanted to. With the sashing, the accent pieces, and the type of fabric, stabilizing was necessary. The top was made entirely from the shirts. After completing all the prep work and cutting, I followed my pattern to sew the quilt top.

Time to Longarm

Once the quilt top is complete, it's time to quilt. I love quilting so much, but before I had my long arm, I found the quilting part overwhelming. I enjoy browsing through all the pantograph options to find the perfect match and then sending those options to the quilt owner so they can choose their favorite. Tiffany chose Halo. It was perfect. The smooth edges of the quilting design and the circle shape complement the hard edges and squares on the quilt top.

Trimming, Binding, and Labeling

I trimmed the quilt top and bound it using a single-fold binding strip. Click here for a step-by-step tutorial on single-fold binding. I used the shirts for the binding strips and framed the corners. I loved how it turned out.

I hand-stitched a label to the quilt back for a special touch and left it blank for Tiffany to write a special note to her daughter.

Special Delivery

We were traveling back home to Mississippi for my son and daughter-in-law's destination wedding, so I was able to make an in-person delivery. It was spectacular—so emotionally moving. As Tiffany looked at the quilt she had made for her daughter, I could feel the love. Then, when her daughter received her quilt, the tears began. This sweet little girl was overjoyed and instinctively cuddled her quilt, saying, "I'm sleeping in my bed with Grammy tonight."

This is why I do what I do. The beauty of a quilt is so deep, so everlasting, and so worth it.