memory quilt

[Susan B.]

I'm very excited to get my very first commissioned quilt! I have blocks that are approx 6x7-8". The blocks are a little boys printed art work from kindergarten and first grade. My question is do I need to quilt over his drawings? I will be sewing 2" sashing around each block. If I sew a design on the sashing, will it be necessary to quilt into the designed blocks? HELP!!! I want it to be perfect.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

Arlene

[Susan B.]

The type of batting you choose to use will determine how much or little quilting will be required. If you want to do minimal quilting around the artwork, choose batting the allows you to quilt 6-8" apart. The batting packaging usually provides this information.

Be sure to post a photo for us to see it, if you can.

Congrats!

[Susan B.]

Nancy, thank you so much for your quick reply. I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule at this time of year. I don't have to start the quilt until after the holidays, but I was really worried about it. I just want to do it right and it really was bothering me. I feel so much better now.

Hope you and your family have a very blessed and merry Christmas!!

Thanks again for the help

Arlene
Ar's Art n Design

[Susan B.]

I don't know many people with the same first name as mine--nice to meet you and Congratulations on your commission. I would go with what Nancy said but if there is space around the drawing--I would be tempted to add some quilting.

[Nancy R.]

I would seriously think about quilting over the artwork if I were you. Regardless of the type of batting, I think you'll find that the artwork will sag and puff if you don't do some quilting inside of it, especially if the quilt is ever washed. You could start with just quilting in the sashing and see how you feel about it, but sagging will only get worse with time, not better, so keep that in mind.

Nancy

[E.M. T.]

I was just getting ready to write something similar .....I agree with Nancy.... :wink:

[Lois B.]

I agree with Nancy. I've quilted some crayon drawings my grandchildern did on fabric. I didn't add anything new but I emphasize what they did. It turned out great. i agree with Nancy and Marilyn.

[Lois B.]

Thanks to all of you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to offer suggestions to my quiry. I will do as all of you suggested and try to find places on his abstract drawings to quilt.
Hope all of you have a very blessed and merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!!!

Arlene
Ar's Art n Design

[Lois B.]

Nancy, thank you so much for your quick reply. I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule at this time of year. I don't have to start the quilt until after the holidays, but I was really worried about it. I just want to do it right and it really was bothering me. I feel so much better now.

Hope you and your family have a very blessed and merry Christmas!!

Thanks again for the help

Arlene
Ar's Art n Design

Hi Arlene,

I'm so glad to help. Luckily, I hosted the Thanksgiving dinner for my extended family this year because my son and grandson were in town. Since they're not coming again for Christmas this year, I don't have a lot to do for Christmas. The little shopping I do is done, so now I can "chillax" (the young people use this word to mean chill and relax) and enjoy the parties hosted by others. I look forward to seeing your finished quilt.

Happy Holidays!
Nancy

[Susan B.]

Arlene, what a great project! I so agree with everyone, treat those drawings as a chance to accentuate the drawings as if they were applique. I'd outline them close to the elements, possibly changing colors of threads to match the drawing, and easiest if you match the bobbin thread.
Ricky even had a show on how to add decorative elements to the middle of applique, but that might be a bit much. I'd love to see a picture of this quilt when you are done.

[Susan B.]

Thank you so much for your advise, Susan. I really appreciate everyones input. I'm not so afraid of it now. You all gave me confidence.

Hope you and your family all have a very blessed and merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year.

Arlene
Ar's Art n Design

[Margo C.]

For what it's worth, I made this quilt for my grandchildren in 2005. The quilting is just a simple 2" crosshatch across the entire quilt which is enough to hold the blocks securely in place without distracting from the artwork. I used Hobb's Heirloom (80/20) batting.

[Renata L.]

Margo, that's a great quilt! Is the artwork your grandchildren's?

[Margo C.]

Thanks Renata! Yes, it was artwork they did on on paper.
I scaled each piece on my printer to fit a 9" format then traced the designs using All Purpose Inks from http://www.jukeboxquilts.com/store/allPurposeInks.php

I added their hand prints and footprints along with their signatures and the date, and I scaled and traced the info to fit.
The kids thought that doing the prints was fun!

[Renata L.]

Margo, I just think it's so joyful and your grandchildren are going to enjoy this kind of quilt even as their own children come along! So great from so many different perspectives! Thanks for the explanation on how to as well. It just makes me smile! :P