*fingers crossed* Wish me luck...

[MissPrissy]

Take your time and do not get in a hurry. If you are not focused on what you are doing or your eyes get tired stop right there. Be patient and cut your pieces, iron your seams and work with a smile.

I use only cotton fabrics in my quiltas but your quilt is going to be fabulous with your dad's suits and other clothing.

You may have enough to piece one side with his suits and ties and the other side with his shirts and things.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

My favorite quilts are the very rustic, not perfect, made with love and outgrown clothing quilts. I have made a few myself. No patterns...piece it together as I go.

My favorite is one that I made for my mom when my kids were little. I had them all draw a flower and I cut out fabric to match their drawings and made the blocks from their own artwork. It's small, but my favorite by far.

As far as matching materials, I always look for fabrics that wash the same way. If you purchase the backing fabric, make sure to wash and dry it first. Anything new should be laundered for shrinkage.

It's only as difficult as you make it be.

 

[English Chick]

You can do it....I have only ever made one small quilt, I made it for our daughter when she was born for her crib and I made it out of my wedding dress... I still have the quilt in her "Memories Chest" so if I can do it you can...go for it!

 

[Zookeeper9000]

I would not cut layers of fabric with the rotary cutter until you have used it for a while. Fabric shift and you can cut a off line. I would also try it out on some material that wasn't so precious to me.

Go slow with your sewing. Take some post it notes or even a bandaid and mark your 1/4 line on your sewing maching with it. This will help guide the fabric so you keep your 1/4 inch seam.

Maybe someone can explain this better to her. Also if you go to HGTV they have tons of tips and hints for quilting. The show sas called simple quilts. They do not run this show anymore so sad.

 

[Mahonri]

Buenas Suerte!

It will be a wonderful learning experience.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

You could also use the matching scraps to make accent pillows and a rag rug to match your quilt. Pillows made from the silk ties may be easier to launder. Just a thought.

 

[HennysMom]

Thanks everyone - for all of the tips and help - I will take my time and not cut all the fabrics together until I know how to really use the rotary cutter with precision

To answer someone's question: Yes, my dad passed away 3 mos ago and my mom gave me all of his clothing (I have three 30 lb bags full of his suits, ties, dress shirts and some jeans - he mainly wore suits and then dockers when not at work

-fond memories) I'm a little nervous having to cut them though, it IS the only thing left I have of him (other than memories, which no one will ever take away, I know...) but..I can remember him wearing every one of these suits (I used to work with my dad) and ties, so they have very special meaning to me as well that way. Very fond memories and I'm sure after I make the first cut, I'll be better emotionally knowing that we'll all have his clothing still with us - to keep us warm for a long long time

(oh lord..boy that lump in my throat just got like 4 sizes larger.....geeezzz)

It will be a labor of love to be sure....I'm looking forward to it, even if it takes me months to get it done.

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