Need help...with a quilt.....?

Question

I am hosting my family reunion in August and I would like to start a family quilt ...this is our 31st reunion and I thought that it would be a good idea to have this along with our pictures to pass along to future generations...only serious replys... please...i need help in deciding what sizes the squares should be and ...how to send the request out to the family we have a website...so i know that will be a big help ....thank you in advance

Answer 1

This sounds like a lot of fun - but you need to stay organized to make it work. First, decide how much info you want them to provide on their blocks. Do you want just signatures or small areas to write a brief note? Do you want them to get creative on a square, using various embellishments? Do you want to incorporate photos?

If you want them to just provide signatures or brief notes, try using an autograph block like Cracker (see the links below for instructions on some of these blocks). Don't make the entire block - just send out the piece they're supposed to write on, then sew the block when you get it back. Draw the sewing line on the block in a washable marker so they know their boundary. Iron the fabric to some freezer paper to make it easier to write on. Provide or specify a pen that is permanent on fabric, like Pigma Micron pens by Sakura. Be sure to heat set them with an iron before sewing the blocks. If you want, you can also embroider over the writing for an even more permanent look.

If you want them to decorate the entire square, give them some suggestions. Tell them about the right pens to use and the freezer paper to make the writing easier. Suggest various methods of embroidery, cross stitch, ribbon embroidery. Tell them about inkjet fabric that goes through the printer, or Bubble Jet Set and Bubble Jet Rinse for treating your own fabric.

As far as the size of the squares, decide how big you want your quilt to be, how many people will provide squares, and whether you want to just sash the squares or include alternate blocks. Based on that you can determine how big your squares should be. Some good alternate blocks include Nine Patch (for an Irish Chain look), Shoofly (especially nice if you sew triangles on the corners of your decorated squares to form Snowball blocks) or Sawtooth Stars (great for including a photo in the center).

Check the last three links for photos of various memory quilts (that incorporate photos) and signature quilts. Whatever you do, be sure to set a deadline that gives you enough time to assemble the quilt and have it quilted. Then move the date back another month, because you just know that not everyone will get their blocks turned in on time!

Answer 2

What a fun idea! I have done a few quilts where everyone contributes a square. We've done both 9 and 11 inch squares, leaving 1/2 inch on each side to stitch together.

I got all the fabric and cut the squares, then delivered them to everyone involved with instructions.

You will have to set a deadline for everyone to get their square back to you in order to get it all put together. I laid mine out on the floor to arrange them and did have to put in a few blank squares because several people did not get around to responding.

I would get things rolling as soon as possible and post reminders on your website. Enlist other family members in sewing and helping you collect the squares.

Oh, one more thing, instead of sewing the squares together in rows then sewing the rows together, we put groups of four squares together, then joined the larger squares to each other. It kept the rows straighter.

Have fun!