Memory Quilts: A way to make memories last

Clothes are tied to who we are and what we experience.

For example, there is a specific polka-dot Marilyn Monroe dress I associate with weddings. Also, my male relatives all wear bold shirts with flowers and bicycles.

Looking at those clothes makes me remember those people or the good memories. Even when the clothes can't be worn any more.

How to keep that memory around when you can't wear the clothes any more?

Usually those clothes ends up in a box in the attic or in a plastic bag somewhere stuffed deep in your closet. At least that's what used to happen to me. What if I told you there is another option?

You can take those clothes and turn them into something meaningful. You can turn those clothes into an object you can use in your daily life to keep those memories close.

Shirt's Memory Quilt: How my mom keeps the men in her life close

My mom made a quilt with shirts of all the men in her life. Now, when she is looking at the quilt, she is reminded of all those people. Like her husband, her son, grandson, brother, father, and more. You can listen to her whole story in this video.

With the Quilt Chronicles Kick Ass Quilts collects the story behind quilts. You can find all stories here: Quilt Chronicle stories. Do you want to share your story too? Send Kick Ass Quilts an email.

Would you like to turn your clothes into a living memory quilt too?

The 'A Taste of Quilting' quilt a long takes you through the steps to make your own memory quilt.

With daily 30-minute sessions, you'll learn how to make a quilt within 2 weeks! The sessions are hosted live on Instagram from the 2nd of April 2022. Afterwards, you can watch the video's on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or in the Kick Ass Quilts Upcycle Community.

I am hosting this quilt a long because I want you to have a way to keep those important memories close. All you have to do is enrol to the quilt a long with this link. You'll get updates on times for the sessions, extra tips and inspiration, and the link to watch the session once it's done.

The only thing you need to join is 2 items of clothing with memories attached to them (preferably non-stretchy) and basic sewing materials! Check the 9 tools to quilt video to find out what the basic sewing materials are.

Are you in?

Let me know in the comments.

Do you want to upcycle clothes into quilts too?

The 'Quilting Out of Your Home' e-book teaches you how to create beautiful quilts with stuff you already own!

For example, turn the old shirts of your husband into a quilted laptop sleeve. Or turn the outgrown clothes of your children into a quilt for their bed.

If you enrol for the newsletter, you get the e-book as a gift. And I promise you I won't send spam, only the occasional tips and inspiration to recycle old fabrics into new items.

Enrol for the quilt newsletter

Memory Quilts: How to make memories last

How to keep that memory around when you can't wear the clothes any more?

Shirt's Memory Quilt: How my mom keeps the men in her life close

Would you like to turn your clothes into a living memory quilt too?

Do you want to upcycle clothes into quilts too?