Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only use t-shirts in these quilts? Do all of the materials I send to you need to be cotton?
No! And no! I have yet to come across a material I cannot incorporate into a quilt. Sweaters, silk, ties, leather vests, windbreakers, scouting patches, you name it. I enjoy the challenge of creating with different and unusual materials! Memories and experiences can come in all textiles and textures, and I want your quilt to reflect all of them!
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a sweater!
How do I order a custom quilt from you? What is the process?
The easiest way to begin is to contact me. Call, text, email, Facebook...you chose! There are two contact forms under the (you guessed it!) "Contact" menu tab. Let me know what you have in mind! If you're not exactly sure, I am happy to help you figure that out.
Then, simply box up any and all items you would like incorporatated into your quilt with a deposit of $100 and send it to me via your favorite service (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.). Before you know it, I'll send your completed quilt back to you. Easy peasy!
How long does it take for you to make a memory quilt?
The very short and basic answer is around 40 hours. Of course, how big, how intricate, and the like all factor into it. A customized block alone can take two to three hours to create. But when you love what you do, your job becomes playtime...and I love my job!
Wow! I can buy a quilt from a big box store for a lot less!
That is technically true. However, it really is comparing apples to oranges.
Your quilt will be an absolute one-of-a-kind, created with only quality supplies that - with the proper care- will last for many, many, many years.
The fabric I use for the backing, binding, and any sashing (filler fabric in between the blocks) is quality 100% cotton. What is the difference? Think of bed sheet thread counts...the higher the count, the higher the quality, which equates to more coziness and durability.
The batting is the middle part of the quilt. Like fabrics, you get what you pay for. I prefer the Warm & Natural batting. It's 100% cotton, very cozy, and extremely durable. I could use the cheaper, thinner polyester batting, but it tends to shrink, break apart, and bunch up into clumps.
The quilting (the stitching that keeps the quilt sandwich together) is done by me using a sit-down long arm machine. This is not your typical domestic model! It allows me to make patterns a normal sewing machine cannot. It makes the quilt more sturdy and decorative. And it does take skill and practice to operate this kind of machine; not all quilters can use one.
How many shirts will I need to send you?
Because I don't create your quilt in uniformed sized block (unless that is what you want, of course!) there is not an exact number. That being said, a lap quilt will need at least 15-20 shirts...or more! I ask for color and theme preferences in your order form so I can fill in any gaps in the design with fabric you will like; so there is no need to stress over exact numbers. A good rule of thumb is: send me EVERYTHING you want included, even the items you may not be sure about. It's better to have too much than not enough.
How should I prepare my items for you? Should I cut them up?
Please wash all items WITHOUT fabric softener before sending them to me.
Pretty please, allow me to do all the cutting! Quilting typically is done using 1/4 inch seams, so even the smallest miscalculation of the scissors can be a big issue.
How do I care for my quilt?
What do you do with the leftovers?
I will hold onto any leftovers for a month. That way, if you decide to have me create additional items, or if you want any leftovers returned to you, I can do so. After that time, I donate them to a local charity that can then receive money per pound from a fabric recycling company.
The quilts I create are designed to be used. Everytime a quilt is stored away, not to be enjoyed, a bobbin runs out of thread. Like the t-shirts, demin jeans, chambray work shirts, etc. from which they are created, quilts become more comfortable through use. For the most part, these quilts can be washed and dried as you would the individual clothing items. However, if there is an item on the quilt that - in its former life as clothing - could only be washed in happy unicorn tears, that is how the entire quilt should be washed. I would, then, recommend spot cleaning...unicorns are awfully hard to find nowadays.