Heirloom quilts were once known for elements of warmth and gift giving at important life moments. They were sometimes given to signify a man's passage from boyhood to manhood. They were also given at other special moments such as for marriages and births, and were an emblem of importance in families.
Today, these keepsakes are no longer to given to men as a sign of passage, or for keeping warm. Today they are given as works of art to add to the beauty and decor of a home, and are often inherited by family members in future generations. They become special family items as the quilt is often signed by the maker. For this reason they become treasured pieces of history in families.
One of the first steps in understanding how to make a quilt to be passed down for generations to come is knowing what holiday or special event the gift is being made for. This is very important in knowing how to make it, and is essential for those who have never made a heirloom before. Deciding what event or holiday it will be given for is central to deciding what themes and personal elements to use while making it.
Selecting colors will depend on the event, or holiday as well. Colors associated with certain holidays can be chosen, such as gold or silver if for an anniversary, and red or green, along with angels, noel, or other festive icons. If for a birthday or retirement, pick company colors, or the person's favorite colors. Special pictures, such as from the date they were hired, or group pictures could be used. Other ways of making the gift special are including elements into the patchwork that the person likes, for instance poetry, a favorite song or on old photograph.
One style very popular is the journal. In this type of design every block has a special word, saying, or piece of poetry. The quilt itself can become the poetry if each block is one word of a famous poem. It could also be used to create a new poem in this same way, or by using three words, or simply stating feelings instead, such as "blue Monday, or "happy Sunday."
Another idea is an event or life quilt, in which designs for quilt making incorporate events of a person's life. These are good for birthdays, retirements, or even housewarming. For a life quilt elements of photo, journal and birthday quilts would be incorporated into the same gift.
Including memories of some kind is a good idea. This might include the name of siblings, cities, or years of graduation. It might include a song, when children were born, a few words from a scrapbook, photos, children's scribblings, and family pictures. Important years, moments from marriage, a job or vacation is also a nice touch.
Think of creative ways to make the quilt. Use t-shirt pieces, graduation clothes, their mother's old hat or decorative glove pieces that hold significance in the person's life. Heirloom quilts make perfect gifts and valued keepsakes, so make sure no matter what style you use to make it, that it holds treasures few other items ever could. Planning ahead, using creativity and ingenuity will help make this gift a beautiful and heartfelt keepsake.
Today, these keepsakes are no longer to given to men as a sign of passage, or for keeping warm. Today they are given as works of art to add to the beauty and decor of a home, and are often inherited by family members in future generations. They become special family items as the quilt is often signed by the maker. For this reason they become treasured pieces of history in families.
One of the first steps in understanding how to make a quilt to be passed down for generations to come is knowing what holiday or special event the gift is being made for. This is very important in knowing how to make it, and is essential for those who have never made a heirloom before. Deciding what event or holiday it will be given for is central to deciding what themes and personal elements to use while making it.
Selecting colors will depend on the event, or holiday as well. Colors associated with certain holidays can be chosen, such as gold or silver if for an anniversary, and red or green, along with angels, noel, or other festive icons. If for a birthday or retirement, pick company colors, or the person's favorite colors. Special pictures, such as from the date they were hired, or group pictures could be used. Other ways of making the gift special are including elements into the patchwork that the person likes, for instance poetry, a favorite song or on old photograph.
One style very popular is the journal. In this type of design every block has a special word, saying, or piece of poetry. The quilt itself can become the poetry if each block is one word of a famous poem. It could also be used to create a new poem in this same way, or by using three words, or simply stating feelings instead, such as "blue Monday, or "happy Sunday."
Another idea is an event or life quilt, in which designs for quilt making incorporate events of a person's life. These are good for birthdays, retirements, or even housewarming. For a life quilt elements of photo, journal and birthday quilts would be incorporated into the same gift.
Including memories of some kind is a good idea. This might include the name of siblings, cities, or years of graduation. It might include a song, when children were born, a few words from a scrapbook, photos, children's scribblings, and family pictures. Important years, moments from marriage, a job or vacation is also a nice touch.
Think of creative ways to make the quilt. Use t-shirt pieces, graduation clothes, their mother's old hat or decorative glove pieces that hold significance in the person's life. Heirloom quilts make perfect gifts and valued keepsakes, so make sure no matter what style you use to make it, that it holds treasures few other items ever could. Planning ahead, using creativity and ingenuity will help make this gift a beautiful and heartfelt keepsake.
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