Memory quilts are among my most favorite quilts to make. Maybe it’s because I don’t always have the best memory, so I’m forever taking pictures of things and writing myself notes in my planner so nothing slips by.
Most of the memory quilts I made are made in honor of someone who has passed away, but not all of them. I’ve had memory quilt commissioned by coworkers of a retiring colleague, and parents who want their college freshman to have a quilt made out of their baby clothes. I recently made a “making memories quilt” for someone who is adopting their first child: they gave me clothing to make a quilt out of with the intention of making a welcoming gift for their new daughter.
And it’s that intention I believe that sets memory quilts apart from other other quilts. All quilts can provide warmth and comfort, but memory quilts provide a kind of spiritual solace in addition to that. They help us preserve the stories and presence of loved ones.
That, in my mind, is what makes a memory quilt such a powerful and special piece. If you’d like to talk more about memory quilts, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email me.
