Sewing for my Supper – Thoughts on becoming a Memory Quilt Designer

I have always loved making things, so when I recently retired from decades of primary school teaching, I was looking for something creative to fill my hours. It’s a beautiful morning here and I’m sitting in a sunny room - sewing. After years of working in a vibrant, busy music classroom, I’m still getting used to the quiet!

My new passion came from a suggestion by my sister Lyndelle, an experienced long-arm quilter. She had the idea that together we could create memory and T-shirt quilts from pre-loved clothing.

So, I have a new job, and I absolutely love it! One of my favourite elements of this role is pulling the clothing from the bags the client has dropped off. I am already thinking about which colours will work together. It’s usually random clothing, so of course colours aren’t always perfectly matched. I sort through the fabrics, thinking about their textures and shades, and how I can best get them to blend together and look amazing.

Yes - those colours will work beautifully! But how on earth will I include that pink and purple striped T-shirt in the design? I wonder if there’s something a bit plainer in there……perhaps some more of that beautiful green? How will I make those checks and stripes work with the other fabrics?

My mind is in overdrive as I consider all the options and ways of designing the quilt. I have to think about what the client has asked for as well as the materials and colours that have been selected for me to work with.

I have come to realise that ultimately, it is what it is. This is the palette I’ve been given to design into a memory quilt.  I’ll find a way to make it work and because the fabrics are loved and remembered, the person who receives the quilt will always have something tangible to treasure. What a fabulous way to keep memories in a practical and usable way, at the same time recycling and caring for the planet.

The sun is still shining, and I’ve just finished my part of the latest quilt. A momentous feeling when those last few stitches are completed. It’s all sewn up and ready to go off to my sister for quilting and binding.

If only there’d been a little more of that beautiful green…..