Your clothing holds such precious memories. Whether it is the outfit your baby wore home from the hospital, a collection of your favourite t-shirts, or the clothing from a loved one that has passed, these are all pieces that you cannot bear to part with because each one has such meaningful associations.

Instead of packing things away in a box and only pulling them out occasionally to reminisce, let me take all your precious pieces and turn them into a lasting and useful keepsake.

The process is a simple one: you send me a minimum of 80 pieces of infant-to-toddler/child-sized clean clothing (100 or more if most of the sizes are newborn-6 months, or mostly just shirts). For adult clothing, I need 25 pieces (t-shirts, blouses, shirts, jackets, etc.). The cost of sending me the clothes is not included in my shipping costs. I cannot use bathing suits, cloth diapers, wool coats or leather. Cotton, cotton jersey (sleepers/onesies), flannel, fleece, taffeta, silk and satin; they all work beautifully in a memory quilt. The more patterned, the better – close, repeating patterns and central images look great in the quilt, as do a variety of colours or strong contrasts (like black and white clothes). Note that if you include them, I will add stained pieces to the finished product.

I pay special attention to focus features on the clothing, keeping designs and text intact whenever possible (see my photos for examples). I create the blocks, then place them in a pleasing arrangement, and finally I put the quilt together with machine quilting and a hand-sewn binding.

I will add up to 2 small pieces of appliqué to your quilt at no extra charge – a special bib, the adorable feet off a sleeper (see my photos for examples of these), or baby’s first mittens. Please indicate which pieces you would like appliquéd. If I do not receive special instructions either by Etsy Conversation or if the pieces are not clearly marked in the package of clothing you send me, I will not add any.

I will also add a hand-embroidered name block for an extra charge (see options). The block is 6x6 inches, holding up to 20 letters or numbers (e.g. "Grace Ann Jan 1 2018", or "Alexandra Clarissa"). I'll choose a cotton fabric that coordinates with the quilt, so that it will integrate beautifully into the quilt. Please note - each name panel is different. I will choose the letter/number style and the centre motif, if there is room for one.

Each finished piece will have some irregularity in it – it is impossible to sew thin cotton summer wear to winter-ready polar fleece and have it come out perfectly. The corners won’t always match and there will be some puckering, but this reflects the fact that the clothing represents a span of time, not a single moment, and it also emphasizes that these are not new pieces of fabric, but well-loved, well-washed memories.

For the backing, I will attach a 100% cotton or cotton flannel fabric, in complimentary colours, according to your instructions.

Throw quilt size is approximately 60 x 60 inches - size may vary slightly due to the clothing pieces and block size.

Clothing holds such precious memories. Whether it is the outfit your baby wore home from the hospital, special holiday clothes, dresses, ties and suits – these are all pieces that you cannot bear to part with because each one has such meaningful associations.

Instead of packing things away in a box and only pulling them out occasionally to reminisce, let me take all your precious pieces and turn them into a lasting and meaningful keepsake.

Each finished piece will have some irregularity in it – it is impossible to sew thin cotton summer wear to winter-ready polar fleece and have it come out perfectly. The corners won’t always match and there will be some puckering, but this reflects the fact that the clothing represents a span of time, not a single moment, and it also emphasizes that these are not new pieces of fabric, but well-loved, well-washed memories.

A Memory Stuffed Bear is also a great way to create a meaningful memory. I can make a toy from clothing from your child that commemorates special occasions, or from an absent loved one, be it grandma's favourite blouse, grandpa's favourite sweater, auntie's best dress, or almost anything else that carries a memory.

Please note that the teddy bear pictured is a sample only: the design will be the same, but the fabric will come from the clothing that you send me.

Clothing holds such precious memories. Whether it is the outfit your baby wore home from the hospital, special holiday clothes, dresses, ties and suits – these are all pieces that you cannot bear to part with because each one has such meaningful associations.

Instead of packing things away in a box and only pulling them out occasionally to reminisce, let me take all your precious pieces and turn them into a lasting and meaningful keepsake.

Each finished piece will have some irregularity in it – it is impossible to sew thin cotton summer wear to winter-ready polar fleece and have it come out perfectly. The corners won’t always match and there will be some puckering, but this reflects the fact that the clothing represents a span of time, not a single moment, and it also emphasizes that these are not new pieces of fabric, but well-loved, well-washed memories.