Quilting?

[WDWorBUST]

I am wanting to save some of my daughters outfits to make a special quilt for each of them. However I don't quilt. So most likely I will end up paying someone to make one for me (or learn - ha ha ha). So should I just keep the entire outfits together until I'm ready to have them made? Or should I go ahead and cut squares of fabric so that they are easier to store? Also...I fully admit that I really want to do this, but don't know that it will ever really happen. Now that I'm on my second little one and she is definitely my last I really need to get rid of stuff as she outgrows it. I stored her sister's stuff for 7 years and am actually using it again with her but I have no good reason to keep it now. But it's hard....I want to hold on to this special time forever but realistically the "stuff" has to go. I have tons of pictures - any tips on getting past this?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

NOT A QUILTER.....

but my wife is.

she has made countless quilts, and teaches sewing etc.


best advice is to SAVE the entire outfit, simply because you could possible incorprate more than just the quilt squares you cut from it into a quilt.

as an example, a lady here, was doing the exact same thing for her daughters. My wife helped her make the squares and a pattern, one thing they did was to cut out and use one of the pockets from the clothing in the quilt itself, then they put in a monogramed handkerchief that her daughter had been given by a great grandmother. one of the panels they used had a picture of the family from a transfer kit. and so on.

If you want to do it yourself, you should go to a local material store, or sewing machine and/or quilt supplie store. They usually have classes on how to do things. (I know my wife has taught a number on them on the weekends)

or they will have information on local quilt/sewing groups. it is probably eaiser than you think!

good luck.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I would not cut the outfits apart. I think it would be hard (emotionally) for you to do, to actually cut into the material.

Next decide if you want to make a quilt out of knit fabrics, or more stable fabrics that are not stretchy. When I sew it does not work well to put knits with non-stretchy fabrics. You want one or the other.

When you choose one fabric type over the other, that should help you get rid of a bunch of the clothes.

Put two empty boxes in your youngest's closet. One is for absolutely MUST keep for the quilt. The other is donate/sell. I took my things to a resale shop. I did NOT go through and look for stains..... Take the whole box. Tell them you do not want anything back. What they do not want, tell them to donate. Have them mail you the check. Repeat each season. Clothes are gone. Same with toys. Keep ONLY the toys that your child adored, or will stand the test of time in storage.

I think part of the emotional attachment to baby clothes is the, "Oh my gosh I can't believe she was that tiny." How about you choose one of the first outfits and have it professional framed in a shadow box? Or really you could easily do that yourself, just mount on black foamboard (or pink...) and frame. Then hang in your child's room. In the photo box you could include a photo of your child in the outfit.

I think too that when we toss things we are afraid we will toss the memories too. Consider keeping a VERY simple journal. Write down stories, a sentence or two, unless YOU like to write. Put in pictures sometimes, or their little pictures.... Make it a super simple scrapbook, unless of course YOU love to scrapbook. Just write in their words for things, or a moment you want to remember and then you won't be afraid that you will forget all these little moments.

 

[joyjoy]

My mom quilts and the most difficult step of the process in the actual "quiliting" part: putting the patchwork quilt top made of the different fabric sqares together with a layer of batting and the bottom piece of fabric. Actually sewing the quilt top is not hard and pretty enjoyable. Do you sew at all? If you can make the quilt top yourself, you can have it quilted by a professional for about $100 - $150 for a full-sized quilt. I have only one child who is in her twenties now... I saved only a couple of baby dresses that I had custom made, and I can tell you I don't miss any of her things I got rid of. The photos are much better to have and save.