🧵🌸 LET'S TALK ABOUT MEMORY QUILTS with Suzanne Paquette - Karen's Quilt Circle

[@melitalita]

Quilt Circle Mondays are the best Mondays! Thanks for always putting out such great content Karen.

[@susanreinhardraleighrealto2986]

Karen, these interviews are so awesome! You introduce us to the best quilters in North America, and expand our quilting horizons ❤️

[@kaybyrne7571]

Great interview but I was waiting for some examples of her work. This surely must be part of the experience to see the actual quilts or created products

[@lisaroper421]

That book is definitely on my wish list now! I too looked at the usual t-shirt quilts and just thought they were so blah! I'd love to see what she does with her memory quilts.

[@kimyakeyhan6453]

I love Suzanne’s book. It was one of my first quilting book purchases and she has some great tips and of course design ideas. It’s been bookmarked for a while for a special quilt I’m hoping to get done this year!

[@blkcat93]

Kaffe Fasset taught me to love pink again. 💗

[@kathyf7862]

I so enjoyed this interview. I can really relate to Suzanne's passion for the emotional connection to the fabric used. The quilt becomes such an heirloom.

[@eileenparker9750]

l have just finished teddy bears for my grandchildren from the shirts of their much missed grandfather, l cut them in to 31/2 " squares, so l watched you to see how patchwork worked, and now hooked x

[@hey_virginia]

This is such a sweet idea! Do you have a specific pattern you use? And how many shirts did the teddy bear require?

[@eileenparker9750]

@@hey_virginia l used a butterick pattern, any of them will do, l wanted one around 14 inches high, and lined it with iron on interfacing,to make all seams stronger and it worked a treat, l used 8 shirts and made 6, and they are all well loved as the shirts remind them of all the shirts he wore x

[@ecoquilting7077]

Pink... My husband, who enjoys paper collage and has a great "eye", once pointed out that he doesn't have to put pink in the piece, because pink just happens, wherever reds and whites get cozy. I have found this to be true, somewhat. I thought I hated pink myself, then when I was making my t-shirt quilt, I was making a leftovers border, and I noticed that the only color that went well with ALL the other colors was the hot pink, kinda blew me away. This was a great interview! I really related when she talked about how her design ideas flow from what she actually has to work with. One challenge is that cut-uo clothes become a bunch of oddly-shaped pieces with random bias angles, so you do plenty of fussy-cutting and make sure the best stuff gets used to the best advantage. It's really a labor of love, and hopefully, for her, also keeps the lights on.

[@Hb02765]

This was great and i can really relate to it, as i make memory bears and sometimes quilts Or cushions from peoples clothing. I have always felt the emotional pull, and love creating memory items and giving people 'something back' after a sad loss.

[@jackiemobley8529]

A great interview, Karen. She's such a delightful person. Blessings to you.

[@bevwyckoff2451]

Amazing timing Karen! I was just asked to make a signature quilt for our sons wedding using the signatures of the guests and I didn’t want a typical quilt. Her book is perfect! Thank you

[@lindajeffries7937]

Fabulous interview. All of your interviews and stories have expanded my quilting world and I thank you.

[@tracieandthemachine]

Love this!

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

A fun interview! Thank you for sharing your talent and positive energy!

[@newagecathy]

I love this book. Her perspective is so helpful when making memory quilts. Thanks for the interview.

[@hey_virginia]

Brilliant ideas all around. The only memory project I have ever done was a t shirt pillow with my favorite shirts from high school. It's always been a bit of a bummer though - only one shirt shows on the outside, which doesn't always fit into my decor, and it's so lumpy and uncomfortable! Memory quilting sounds fabulous and I love the modern vibes in these ideas. Gotta check out that book. Thanks Karen for bringing on such fabulous guests that help me learn non-frumpy quilting ideas!!

[@katethompson2818]

Thanks so much for all of these excellent and interesting interviews, Karen! Once again, you knocked it out of the park.

[@juliemorrison4348]

Interesting interview. Suzanne has certainly had an interesting range of jobs.♥️🇦🇺

[@smallfootprint2961]

So fun to hear the road she has walked. Thanks for a great interview.

[@geminithrese]

I enjoyed this interview so much I bought the book to see what else she has to say.. other pearls of wisdom when working with items carrying so much emotional attachment. I just completed a baby quilt for a family. You just want to do/make an item that gives them some sense of peace and happiness to have something to hold onto.. The first this..

[@rhondaschellin8878]

I agree completely with 🌟Melitalita!! It's the best! I have a GREAT cuppa beside me, my feet up, the dogs OUT and ready to watch!!

[@bevwyckoff2451]

Lol I did the same thing!

[@rhondaschellin8878]

@@bevwyckoff2451 😎RIGHT ON!

[@carmenbailey1560]

Wow, someone else who doesn’t care for pink and loves neutrals. Thanks for sharing 👍❤️😊

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Great interview. I have bins of shirts that I want to make memory quilts with. I love the idea of photographing all the shirts. My hope would be that taking photos of each shirt would preserve the spark, the essence of the person who had worn the shirts. These were shirts that that person selected and worn....to a formal, a sporting event, church, or work. A framed photo (or a collage) might be a welcomed addition to the finished, gifted quilt.

[@michellecornum5856]

Making a memory quilt for someone else would be just nerve wracking. I'm glad she takes it so calmly.

[@connierogers6853]

Why do you not show some of her work? It would have made this interview mean more.

[@cynthiazumbrunn8700]

The first cut is always the hardest! Doesn't matter what the fabric is.

[@Bluebird_Legacy]

I really enjoyed this discussion. So good to hear a quilter story from a different view point. Love your channel!

[@terryleemilligan3873]

Attended a Zoom Memory Quilt Workshop with Suzanne based on her book and it was very worthwhile.

[@donnaborg5636]

"Color brings a lot of emotion" And "I can't live with extreme color" Were bullseye comments. Personally I love color but having it in my space feels like someone is yelling at me all day! Lol

[@MsAmberSunshine]

Love so much about this interview. I too prefer neutral palette in my wardrobe and enviroment, I do like pops of colot on occassion, I often buy scarves for wearing or use as a source for color harmony. I too removed all pink from wardrobe, but recently making friends with pinks in fabric stash. It's interesting to me that although I perfer neutrals in wardrobe, I have a riot of color in my fabric collection. By the way loved the wall hanging behind Suzanne, it's given me an appreciation that wasn't ever there for drunkards parh.

[@willowolson8439]

I was at the fabric shop this morning - saw your book - It's Absolutely Wonderful! Great job, Suzanne :)

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Isn't it a wonderful book

[@elizabethcollins8817]

I enjoyed this interview immensely 🌹🧵🪡✂️

[@leesaburgess4967]

I could make a memory quilt but come to it from a little different angle. I know longer have most of the articles of clothing: I have the leftover scraps of fabric from making those clothes. Some scraps are quite small, l but I cannot bare to throw them away. After watching your organizing videos, I made a memory fabric container.

[@brendafrye5875]

Great interview as usual . Thank you

[@karenhayton7826]

Really enjoyed this interview. My daughter also loved fashion plates and was so excited when I found the box recently. She’s now 31 and an art school graduate. These chats are so inspiring. Keep up the good work

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you. I love how we connect through our childhood toys

[@gerrysiebert8639]

Lots of great info. Have book on hold from library. Karen, I don't think I've watched one of these interviews where the interviewee hasn't said (I know double negative) " that's a good question!" or " I haven't been asked that before". Sign of a great and knowledgeable interviewer.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you 😎

[@loniegraham3834]

Wonderful interview! I wanted to hear more.

[@elizabethlipke8834]

Pink's not me either!!! The struggle is real.

[@Daralorraine1]

Such a great episode!!

[@robinburt7196]

Loved the interview

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks

[@jillcaperton1568]

Great video! Very interesting.

[@marystrong8653]

Great interview.

[@marytavis9722]

I am 66 and I finally like pinks again.

[@theresaskrabanek512]

I bought one of those fashion plate paper rub ones for My 10 yo grand.

[@annas.r.p.5835]

Are you thinking of raw edge applique for your wonky houses?

[@dadams512]

What a great interview with Suzanne Paquette. I LOVE the idea of making a memory quilt. I suffer from fear of cutting fabric (so carefully selected, ha!) and also don't wear pink or use it as a color in my home. I realized this about myself and decided this year to try pink - I bought a pink fat quarter and a set of face masks that included a pink one. Jury is still out if I will incorporate more pink. Probably not.

[@pragmatic111]

What are your thoughts about buying a used long arm and frame. Should I worry about getting parts down the road?

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I have several friends that purchased used machines. You might need a tune up at the beginning but unless it has been very neglected you probably have a great deal

[@marijogrimes9236]

Where can I get the beautiful quilt hanging shelf shown behind you in this video?

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It was given to me.

[@susanouellette2700]

Hi Karen, what is the name of the quilt you have hanging behind you? It is so pretty.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

That's my lemonaid quilt. I hope to have time to get the pattern written soon.

[@connierogers6853]

Why is it that nobody really takes you through the whole memory quilt process in any of the online vids? This was okay as an interview but I was looking for real answers and education on this subject. What items do you back? How to incorporate different fabrics…adding photos and that process…are there any “no nos”…dealing with the different thicknesses…using pens to write on the quilt and which types will last…is there hand basting involved with silk and satins… .

[@krismorris1810]

Hi Connie, I agree. I’ve ended up doing it myself, cutting up only cotton shirts, squares, but never knew about lights, darks, shapes, backing. Too late now.

[@hazelem1266]

I was also looking to see what happens with photos, and the quilting of the layers around or under photos. As an inexperienced quilter and not finding anything, I just made it up as I went for the huge reversible themed totally hand sewn quilt for my grandchild. A lady at a place called spotlight in Australia advised me to quilt around the 6.5x4.5 photos then behind on the reverse side, just sew the two layers together without going through the photos. Of course this is taking much longer because it’s double trouble. But so far, after two weeks of hand quilting and 60% done it seems to be feeling and looking good, though only time will tell.

[@hey_virginia]

I bet these details are covered more in her book. I agree that these are questions I have too! Especially for pens for signature quilts, I have encountered lots of very different strong opinions

[@vickiharris5441]

I agree!! I am recently commissioned to make a memory quilt, cotton shorts, tshirts, fleece pants, jeans, help!!!

[@kimyakeyhan6453]

There’s a lot involved in the process so you’d need multiple videos. There’s also different perspectives and methods (ie backing vs not backing, QAYG, washing, starching, etc etc). Suzanne’s book has great advice in it. I highly recommend it. Aside from that, I recommend googling your questions. There are some great quilters out there with great ideas and tips for memory quilts.

[@Alicenone777]

Analysis Paralasis !!