A local client arrived at my home with eleven plaid button down shirts that belonged to her late grandfather. She asked if I could create a special gift that she could give to her grandmother, who had lost him about three months prior. I send customers to my “Memory Items” board on Pinterest. I have saved a lot of ideas for people to consider. My client really liked the quilt blanket that I made for family members of my son’s piano teacher. Those were created as a personal gift from me and I shared the story behind them on this blog post.
After sharing this work in progress on my Instagram and Facebook accounts and receiving positive feedback, I decided that I will offer this in my shop. The finished blanket size is 58″ x 83″.
It consists of 24 trading patches blocks. It has a navy sashing border and then a piano key border. It’s backed with a beautiful, blue, minky cuddle.
Although it was going to be a birthday gift, my client decided she was going straight from my house to her grandmother’s house. There were a few tears, but there are many memories to cherish and hold close.
As are most of my quilts, these are quilt blankets, made with a quilted top and sewn to a blanket backing of your choice. Interfacing is used when needed to reinforce the fabric. For more information please Contact me.
I love this! I want to make one for my son using my late father’s shirts and I have been looking for a pattern similar to this. Can you tell me what size these blocks are and where I can purchase this pattern? Thanks for sharing
Thanks Vicki,
Here is a pattern for trading patches: https://www.quiltingcompany.com/Quilt/pattern-trading-patches/
I am not aware of a pattern that is available for sale. My blocks are much bigger – you would have to calculate how big to cut your triangles to fit across the size of a standard quilt blanket.
Very nice blanket. Thank you for the idea!
Hello,
I was wondering what to do with all my old shirts, then came across this and loved the look so I did one myself. It turned out absolutely beautiful!!! Thank you so much for the idea and inspiration!!
Good evening, I am making a quilt for a car show, and I love the pattern you used with mens shirts. Do you have an actual pattern for the quilt. I would love to use this pattern for the quilt I am making for a car show raffle. Thank you for reading this email.
You can see the pattern here: https://www.quiltingdaily.com/Quilt/pattern-trading-patches/ However, those blocks are much smaller. I used the same concept and scaled the blocks to 12″. You can read about my process here: https://www.maidenjane.com/in-memory-of-a-special-teacher-trading-patches-quilt-blankets-made-from-button-down-shirts/