Memory Quilts

There are several types of memory quilts which I have worked on. I will give examples, details and cost on each type.

First is the T-shirt Ragstyle Quilt.  
      The price of the T-shirt Ragstyle Quilt is based on the number of shirts/blocks, based on careful timekeeping and figuring of previous projects. $20 per shirt (as of 10/25/2020) covers all materials additional to the shirts you provide, and includes planning, cutting, machine quilting, assembling and snipping.      

Each block is 14-18″ consists of a “sandwich” made from the front of the shirt, then a layer of flannel, and then the back of the shirt. The three layers are assembled, then machine quilted one at a time. Then the blocks are sewed together in rows and columns with a front facing seam allowance. This seam allowance is snipped at 1/4 inch intervals all over the quilt. The quilt is washed and dried when finished, which causes the “ragging” effect. The back of the quilt looks like patchwork.

Ragstyle quilts are at their top form when all of the shirts are T-Shirt knits. However, I have inserted jerseys and even sweatshirts placed randomly among the T-Shirts when requested. Please note that the ragging look is different for the jerseys, as shown here.
This quilt commemorated my daughter’s running career.
Made as a keepsake for my customer’s experiences in drama.
High school graduation T Shirt Ragstyle Quilt.
 

 
 
 
 
Granddaughter Megan’s T Shirt Quilt for graduation gift. Extra Large size.
Commemorating a couple’s combined sports experiences in high school & college.
Special keepsake for a Special Olympian
These two rag style quilts used shirt logos on both sides of the blocks.

Patchwork Style Quilts

Now let’s look at the various types of patchwork I have created from memory clothing. I charge $18 per hour as of 10/25/2020), and if I have made several quilts in that type, the price tends to be the same. (Some of these quilts were priced back when my hourly rate was $15.)

The Aloha Quilt was made from 10 XXL Hawaiian men’s shirts pieced in the “Around the World” pattern. It was King Size PLUS, backed with a king size sheet, filled with medium batting and tied with bamboo yarn. Cost: $950 which was determined by careful time recording at $15 per hour.
Also “Around the World” pattern, this quilt was made from 13 shirts (one for the binding). Blocks were cut carefully to display the plaid patterns in a uniform manner. Machine quilted, filled with medium batting. Cost $450.
A super-king (90×120″) patchwork quilt with appliqués from bandanas sewn onto the quilt top before backing and tack-quilting by machine. Each t-shirt and each bandana are stabilized with iron-on interfacing. Super challenging! $1,000
85″ square “Around the World” memory quilt created from shirts, backed and bound with a king size polyester navy blue sheet. Pictured laying out on my red plaid basement carpet. $500
Throw sized patchwork utilizing logos and pockets from men’s shirts.
My Granddaughter Lexi’s graduation gift was this quilt I designed for her using a World Missions theme. Careful shopping on-line netted me these world map and flag prints and scripture designs.
This T-Shirt patchwork design was created from over 50 shirts with artwork of varying sizes. It was pieced together block by block and machine quilted “stitch in the ditch”. Some of the pieces were appliquéd onto the quilt top before adding the batting and backing Size: approx. 70 inches square. Cost: $500
15 inch blocks, stitch in the ditch + hand knotted in between
Using decorative stitches to topstitch
T-shirts all backed with stabilizer
Backings are microfiber sheets. Quilted with variegated color thread for a special touch.
This unique quilt was made from large blocks of mixed fabrics: T-shirts, sweatshirts, and the customer’s chef jackets from culinary school. Measures 71″ x 78″. The pricing was also determined by careful timing. There was a lot of extra time involved in getting those chef jackets (fronts and sleeve cuffs) to work. Price: $500
This is a patchwork quilt made from T-shirts. The customer chose patchwork style instead of Ragstyle. This included many shirts and ended up over queen sized. There were more shirts than I could make into blocks, so I cut the logos and artwork from them and appliquéd them onto the quilt top before adding the batting and backing. The backing was a striped queen size flat sheet, and the batting was medium weight. Price was determined by careful recording of time spent.      $500
College Grad Gift on queen size bed
This quilt was created from the button-down shirts of the customer’s dad. Since he always called her his “dancing girl” I felt led to vary the direction of the plaids to add movement.
This patchwork design came about when the customer wanted a memory quilt but did not have a lot of t-shirts with logos. I capitalized on the shirt art that we did have, and created the rest of the blocks from the leftover scraps and a few plain t-shirts. The binding was made from bias strips cut from a plaid shirt. Cost included 25 hours of work, plus notions, batting and backing:  
This is a memory quilt created in memory of a police officer. The shirts and ties were sewn together to create the blocks. The sashing between the blocks was cut from his work pants. Small squares of the tie material was used in the corners to decorate. Cost: $500
The Bandana Quilt. Made from Indian Motorcycle bandanas to commemorate a favorite hobby. Regular size. Sashing, backing and binding are from a king size flat sheet. We love how the red accent makes the bandanas pop! Sashing edges quilted with “stitch in the ditch”, and interior of bandanas tie-tacked. The corners had to be loose to prevent puckering of the lightweight fabric. $500.
Throw size
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Throws with pillows
Queen size
reversible
Rainbow Queen size
Detail of center panel on Rainbow quilt
Designed for use, rather than looks, this quilt will be used for sitting on the ground–picnics, games, beach time, etc. in memory of a loved one. Denim patchwork on both sides, no batting.
Challenge: Made from 2 heavy denim/twill lined jackets, 2 t-shirts (had to be treated with heavy stabilizer), wanted the two jackets kept separate from each other, used lining for border. Backed and bound with red flannel, and also added a border of red to make it a little wider. Large throw size.

Grandson’s Graduation quilt featuring his favorite activities of pole vault, cross country, deer and bear hunting, and fishing.
4″ squares around a center panel, backed with flannel.
Lap blanket donated to nursing home, made from t-shirt scraps, backed with flannel.
Lap blanket donated to nursing home, made from t-shirt scraps, backed with flannel.
Memory throw, made from scraps from flannel shirts and pajamas. Backed by flannel.
Queen size memory quilt created with shirts, backed by a polyester flat sheet. $500
Twin Size Memory T-Shirt quilt backed with microfiber sheet. Quilted by stitch in the ditch with a decorative topstitch, then diagonal stitching within each of the large blocks for added attachment. Twin size throws,backed with microfiber sheets.
Decorative topstitch plus tacking
Large blocks 5 tacks within each
Decorative topstitch
2 quilts, 2 bears, and 1 pillow created from a father’s silky pajamas and smoking jacket. All pieces required iron-on stabilizer in order to make it possible to work with this fabric.
Each piece/block stabilized
Pillow from left over blocks

Above and Below: Throw size made from dresses and blouses, mostly very lightweight & gauzy, needing stabilizer