Quilt Patchwork Patterns
Does anyone have a pattern to make a family photo quilt?
I would like to make a photo quilt for my mother for Christmas. I was just wondering if there was a pattern to go by.
Public Comments
- yes you take all the pictures and string them into colums and then string the coloums together.... =D
- This would work well with an attic window design. Here is a link to a pattern: http://www.quilterscache.com/A/AtticWindowsBlock.html I've also seen photos of bookcase quilts that had books, family photos, and assorted memoribilia. Here's a photo: http://dulciquilt.tripod.com/bookcase-q.html
- The great thing about memory quilts is that they work for any skill level. If you are an experienced quilter you can do more complicated blocks alternating with photo squares, or put the photos in squares like the Attic Window that uses Y seams. For a less experienced quilter, you can use alternate photo squares with less complicated blocks, or put the photos in the center of simpler blocks like the Sawtooth Star, Churn Dash or Picture Frame. Check Alex Anderson's Block Party and Quilter's Cache for other blocks. You can also use photos and make pieced sashings and borders. For a beginning quilter you can just sew strips of fabric around the photos (just one row, or several rows like a log cabin block with a larger center) and then sew the framed photos together in rows, then sew the rows together. Sew a couple of borders on the quilt and you're done! The most important ingredient in a photo quilt, however, is the fabric the photos are on. You can buy special fabric sheets made to go through your inkjet printer. There are available at most craft and fabric stores. Be sure to read the instructions - some require heat setting, and others are not washable. Get the right product for your project. Do NOT get iron on transfer paper (found in office stores) - this is fine for a t-shirt that you'll throw out in a couple of years, but it does not hold up for years, the way you want for a quilt. There are links to several products below. Finally, check the last few links for more photo quilt examples and instructions. Good luck with this - it's a great way to preserve memories! Be sure to include a detailed label so future generations know who these people are. Use good permanent FABRIC markers or print it from your computer on the treated fabric sheets.
