~Off the Bolt~ for a non-quilter you may ask, “what is the meaning?” Quilt fabric is purchased off a Bolt, by the yard. As quilters we have a Stash, and are always thinking about more fabric as new designs come out several months in the year. I always pray I can have more fabric coming Off the Bolt than I have bolts coming into my home. Not an easy task. The name Off The Bolt is for the quilts I’m busy making for myself and others.
Memory Quilts
I would like to share a quilt from my friend Joyce, her brother in-law passed away and she made another memory quilt, this time for her sister. Joyce has made several of these memory quilts, for her neighbor’s adult children, Joyce used fabric that their Mother had in her sewing room. These quilts are a great way to pass on memories of the past.
A standing stone, something to point to and say, “Remember when Lloyd painted and always wore this shirt”. We always need to learn history, if it isn’t taught, it will be forgotten. Another good family friend is compiling her Mother’s and Grandmother’s notes, and even finding prayers they wrote during a difficult time, a loss of a husband and having 12 children in various ages to raise. Making memories last can be done in several ways, just take the time to start writing it down, making the quilt, and storytelling.
T Shirt Quilts
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These are a few of the T shirt quilts I have made. The Abate one was a special order for an Abate instructor, he had so many shirts and wanted to keep the memory. I put the fusible on the shirt, cut them to size, put them in a pleasing layout, took a picture and emailed the picture to him. He ok’d the design and then I finished the quilt off by putting a border on the outside. Whether you would like the quilt for a throw or up to a King size bed quilt I can put your shirts together. If you would like sashing around the t shirts it will make the quilt larger. I can quilt an over all design on the quilt, making it a comfy memory for any member of your family. T Shirt quilts make wonderful graduation gifts, retirement, or just something for the “biker” in your life.
When I made the quilts for Jim’s benefit I asked his friends to get me T shirts, I was able to make 4 quilts. We were able to make $3000 plus on 3 quilts… one special quilt I made for Bonnie and Jim was a Christian T shirt quilt. So many of their friends gave shirts that were close to their hearts. I did have some help, thanks Lee Anne for helping me. Lee Anne didn’t know Jim, but knew I needed help. That is what life is about… giving.
So gather those shirts, collect them from your friends and family, make a memory. I just need the clean shirts, and I will find a border to go with the theme of the quilt. The only reason I say “clean” is because when I was making the quilt for a benefit, bikers will give you the shirt off their backs… and so I washed several shirts.
Have a pile of T~Shirts? These memory quilts are wonderful graduation gifts.
This Quilt was made for a young man in the airforce. His wife put together the shirts for me to make this quilt. Pricing a T~Shirt quilt; they are each unique, this quilt I used arm patches for another border. Please email me info about how many shirts, what theme you will be using, so I can find just the perfect borders. These quilts are wonderfully soft as the web interfacing I use on the back of the T~shirts hold the shirt in place without the stiffness of some interfacing. suezquilts@centurytel.net 608-269-4099
Handmade Quilts~Heirloom, Baby to King Size
Hand made quilts for sale, quilt shop quality fabric, cotton batting, beautifully quilted on a Gammill Statler. Pieced by an experienced quilter, I put time and thought into each quilt I make. Making quilts to order, your specifications these quilts will last, heirloom quilts. Store purchased quilts are massed produced, this is why seams fail, material tears easily. When you use the quality fabric you will be pleased with the outcome.
Cranberry/Creamed Squared~Queen Size, Cotton Batting, Moda Fabric $485
Seeds Of Time~Beautiful quilt in a barn raising pattern. Finished Quilt is 89″ X 89″, which is a Queen size and sells for $485. Rail fence border included. This will fit nicely on a queen size bed. I will have King size quilts also available. Using the search button on my site you can see a picture of the Seeds of Time quilt.
Quilt Shops
If you are traveling in our area of Wisconsin I would love to share some of our Local Quilts shops with you.
- Quilt Basket~115 North Main Street Viroqua, WI 54665-1647(608) 637-7002
- Quilt Corner~ 219 N Water St Sparta, WI 54656-1740 (608) 269-1083
- Olive Juice Quilt Shop~1258 County PH Onalaska WI
