Family Picture Quilt

[wendy w.]

Hi Everyone! Sometime next year, my in-laws are going to have a family reunion (first one in 25 years). Several of my in-laws have asked me to make a picture quilt - which I am happy to do but this will be my first. Since my husband comes from a huge family, I am limiting this quilt (actually, I am picturing a landscape size wall hanging) to his parents and their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. My husband has 8 siblings and there have been quite a few marriages, divorces, etc. So not to insult anyone by including or not including someone, pictures with spouses won't go on the quilt (including my own pic).

Anyway, as I said, this will be my first quilt of this type. Just wondering if anyone out there in TQS land has any sage advice for me.

Thanks in advance!

[Hannelore N.]

I have used photos printed onto fabric a few times, and it's quite surprising how different in colour intensity the results are, depending on (1) the type of fabric, (2) the type of printer, (3) the type of ink, and (4) the setting of the printer.

My advice would be to experiment first.

I got the best results printing with gently hand-washed smooth silk fabric and an inkjet printer set to high ink 'saturation'.

[Margo C.]

I haven't tried this product, but saw it in Houston and the samples were impressive. They have several different weights of fabric, from silk and cotton lawn to denim and heavy cotton twill, pretreated and ready to run through the printer. You could probably call and ask them which one would work best for your project.

http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/sto...0&Jump_To=

If you want to do it all yourself, check out Jeannie's TQS tutorial here: learn/classrooms/

[Margo C.]

Also show 702 - Quilting in the digital age, has lots of good information in it.

[Margo C.]

Thanks everyone! I will definitely check out these links and experiment.

[Margo C.]

Isn't it curious how families are all different. My husband and I have been married for over 40 years. On my side of the family everyone is considered a member of the family. On my husband's mother's side you are not one of the group unless you were born "family". On my husband's father's side everyone is a member of the family. Usually I make quilts for family members when a child is born and I made one for my mother for her 85th birthday. Would like to see a picture of your quilt when you are done.

[Margo C.]

Yes, it is funny. But this was the only solution I could come up with to be fair to all. I will post a pic when completed. I already have a vision for it but am waiting to see how many pics I am going to have to include.

[Nancy H.]

Linda, I've made 3 family photo quilts and have never regretted the undertaking or challenge. One book that I used and got tons of inspiration from is " Creating Scrapbook Quilts" by Ami Simms. I don't know if it's still in publication or not, if it isn't you might try contacting the publisher, Mallery Press 4206 Sheraton Drive, Flint, Michigan 48532-3557. Another book I've used is Attic Windows - Quilts with a View by Diana Leone and Cindy Walter, 2nd Edition. Looking forward to seeing your finished quilt(s).

[Nancy H.]

Wonderful! I will check these two books out. Thanks, Nancy!

I just found both of them on Amazon.com!