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Grandma's handkerchief "memory mini" quilt

5/11/2018

 
I'm going to admit that I'm a bit obsessed with this mini.  I love the story behind it and I love the way it turned out.  These handkerchiefs belonged to my client's grandmother and she contacted me to have them turned into a wall hanging for her mother.  So...three generations of this family are involved in the making and receiving of this special keepsake.  The majority of her grandma's hankies were solid white or cream colored with lace or embroidery.  I used this to our advantage and created a design that highlighted the few colorful hankies without taking away from all the detail in the neutral hankies.  This was done in time to be gifted for her mother's birthday.  I hope she loves it.  

Memorial Memory-Minis

9/19/2017

 
It never ceases to amaze me how emotionally invested I become in projects without even knowing the people I am creating them for.  This has never been more true than it was for my most recent project.

​My client contacted me looking to have small wall hangings made for her niece and nephew of their mother's clothing.  Their mother had recently died of lymphoma (see foundation info below).  We based the design for each hanging off of one of the items listed in my Etsy shop but elaborated in order to incorporate as much clothing as possible. In addition, she sent me fabric photographs of the children with their mother to include and also requested  a hand embroidered quote that her sister would say to her children at bedtime each night.  

I sorted the clothing and decided which items to use in each hanging for the child's first initial, background, and border.  It's amazing how many articles of clothing and memories are packed into each mini quilt.  I truly hope that seeing these hanging on their walls each day will fill them with memories of happy times with their mother.  

To honor the memory of this special woman, her family has created a foundation to raise money for causes that were close to her heart.  I value many of these causes myself (education, arts, community) so I'm happy to share the link for any of you who are interested in supporting the Lisa Rego Horne Memorial Foundation.  Or follow along on the Facebook page 

Memory quilt from mom & dad's clothing                   for their newborn baby

6/27/2017

 
This is a truly unique newborn baby gift because it's made for baby from mom and dad's meaningful clothing!  In this case, the birds are made from wedding and bar mitzvah yarmulkes and the wings are textiles with shared importance to the couple like fabric from their first apartment together.  The clothing bordering the birds is a combination of baby clothes, events, college and travel memories.  The baby's gender is a surprise so I worked hard to keep it as gender neutral as possible.

Grandparent clothing quilts for 3 granddaughters

4/25/2017

 
WARNING: POST WILLL BE LOADED WITH PHOTOS.  I CAN'T HELP MYSELF THIS TIME...

This was one of those projects that just spoke to me from the start.  I was given a box of clothing that belonged to a very loved and missed grandma and grandpa.  After carefully taking apart the clothes I divided them as equally as possible in order to make three separate quilts; one for each granddaughter.  The designs were intricate and it took a long time but I'm so happy with the results.  I hope these blankets will be cherished for a long time and will keep these families feeling even more connected to their past, especially since each one will be shared with the couple's great-grandchildren! 
Picture

Grandmother & Grandfather's clothing

The Quilts

Favorite Blocks

Finishing a memory quilt for Mayim Bialik

10/10/2016

 
​I’m so excited to finally write about my latest project that I’ve been keeping under wraps for a long time…..a memory quilt for Mayim Bialik!
 
Mayim, of The Big Bang Theory, and I have a friend in common who put the two of us in touch.  Five years ago Mayim actually began hand sewing a memory quilt for her sons using some of their baby clothes and other meaningful textiles.  Unfortunately, she was forced to stop after a significant car accident and hand surgery left her unable to finish it.  That’s where I come in.  

Photos of the unfinished quilt
​Mayim shipped to me
(plus other textiles to include)

Finishing a memory quilt that someone else has started is no joke.  It's seriously a sensitive business.  Mayim had already put so much time, energy, and love into her small patchwork quilt.  I think we were both a bit nervous for her to hand it over to me.  That said, we talked through every step of the process, including pattern design and color choices, making sure we were on the same page.  I know it was difficult for Mayim when I disassembled the quilt top but, ultimately, it was important to strengthen the fabrics so that the quilt would hold its shape and be structurally sound for many years to come. 

Mayim's original quilt blocks being lined with interfacing for strength and stability

Mayim mailed me the original unfinished quilt top plus an eclectic mix of other textiles that had sentimental value including a bright blue sari, orange tulle, and purple cashmere sweater material.  It was challenging but totally fun to piece these new materials together with the tiny 3” x 3” original quilt blocks. I’m so thrilled that I had the opportunity to collaborate with Mayim to reimagine and make this keepsake for her family.  I’m so pleased with the result and I hope they enjoy it forever.  

The finished product
(Mayim's original quilt fabric plus the new material)

Mayim has also blogged about this memory quilt.  You can read about her experience here on Kveller. 

Memory Birds on a Wire

8/31/2015

 
It doesn't take a zillion t-shirts to create a meaningful memory quilt.  This sweet gift for a grandma was made using just 3 tiny shirts and an infant hat.  Five years ago these clothes were gifts from grandma to baby.  Now that he is entering kindergarten, the family asked me to use them to create a special keepsake for her.  This quilted wall hanging is the result.  On the back is a personalized quilt label made by transferring the boy's handwriting with embroidery.      

Newest little Phish fan

2/23/2015

 
My creative juices always get going when there is a new baby on the way.  Our friends recently had a little boy and since they are huge fans of the band, Phish, I incorporated that into the baby gift.  

Combining the classic baby book lyrics by Dr. Seuss made it kid friendly and meaningful.  This family had "one fish" who was about to become their "old fish" and the "new phish" makes "two fish."  Okay, okay, maybe thats a bit too cutesy, but the sophisticated font and sharp color contrasts make these flags stylish for years to come.  

Our first "night night package"

11/9/2014

 
In the last blog post I wrote about making quilts for an organization called Project Night Night.  Since then my son, Eli, helped me put together our first night night package.  We used his old Ikea sheets and pillowcases and turned them into a cheerful quilt.  Best Ikea hack ever, right???  Then, he picked a book from his room and we bought a stuffed animal at Target.  Both went along with the animal theme of our package  This was such a nice project to do together, and an easy way to introduce my little guy to the idea of helping others.

You don't need sewing skills to contribute to Project Night Night.  Get more information on their website.

Keeping homeless children warm

10/16/2014

 
Picture
I'm looking for textile donations and I'm hoping you can help!  Please keep reading...  

I came across this amazing organization when searching for volunteer opportunities to do as a family with our six year old son.  Project Night Night creates "night night packages" consisting of a blanket/quilt, a stuffed animal, and a book for children living in homeless shelters.  I'd love to regularly make quilts to fulfill the "blanket portion" of the night night package.  

Here is how you can help:
Before you go to goodwill, send me any of the following items.  They act as fabric to make quilts:
- mens button-down shirts, bed/crib sheets or pillow cases (your child may be done with Hello Kitty or Superman but it's perfect for another kid), or 100% cotton clothing with no stretch to them.
Please contact me if you have items you'd like to donate.  I'll write you back with my address and a huge "THANK YOU!"

Even if you don't send me items, please take a look at the Project Night Night website and consider supporting them.  If you have kids, putting together a package is an easy and wonderful activity to do together.  

Lucas & Logan

9/24/2014

 
A friend of mine has two adorable little boys.  Even though they are still very small, they have already outgrown a bunch of clothing.  Their mom wanted a way to display the fabric from these onesies and t-shirts in a fun and meaningful way. 


Since their family lives by the water, and they love boating, I designed these two mini wall hangings to be displayed in the boys' room.  The background is new cotton fabric but every other detail was created from clothing that one or both boys wore.   Each sail, fish, airplane, etc will remind their parents of this amazing and crazy time in their lives.  

I'm so glad that I was able to make these mini quilts.  I hope the boys like their new wall art! 
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    I'm Jenna; the owner of Memory Threads.  I'll turn your meaningful clothing collection into a quilt full of sentiment and style.    

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