Projects

Preserving Memories: Scrapbooking with Textiles

Created By:

Maday Delgado

Skill Level: Intermediate

There are so many fun ways of preserving cherished memories, from scrapbooking with paper to scrapbooking with textiles! Telling a story with textiles and keeping clothing from landfills is my passion.  I will be sharing some of the tricks I have learned from making countless t-shirt/memory quilts in the last decade and my favorite construction hack. Grab your favorite beverage and let’s get started. 

Janome Supplies Required

T-shirts/clothing, prewashed  (no fabric softener)

OESD Fusible polymesh stabilizer

Sewing machine thread - neutral

Janome purple tip needle

Chalk marking tool

Ruler/rotary cutter

Iron/ironing board

June Tailor T-shirt Transformation Ruler

Curved safety pins - optional

Batting/Backing fabric

 

Machine:

Janome Continental M17 with ¼ HP Foot and Plate

Walking foot with guide

 

Instructions
  1.  Collect and sort t-shirts and/or clothing you would like to use on your project. These could be baby outfits, blankets, cotton shirts,  t-shirts and more.

  2. For best results, avoid using fabric softener if you  pre-wash items. Fusible polymesh doesn’t adhere well if fabric softener is present on the garment. 

 

  1. Cut excess material such as the neckline, sleeves, pockets. Hint: Cut the pieces bigger than you anticipate using on your final project as a backup. 

  1. Stabilize all items you wish to use on your project even if they feel strong on their own. This ensures that wear and tear is uniform and the tapestry has a consistent weight throughout. Iron should be set on the cotton setting with no steam. Please read the recommended suggestion from the manufacturer for best results.

  2. Iron fusible polymesh to the wrong side of each garment, textile and sashing/borders.

  1. Using the T-shirt transformation ruler or your preferred ruler, trim after applying the stabilizer, if needed. Ironing often is a big part of this project. 

 

  1. Organize segments into columns. I have found that the easiest way to create a t-shirt quilt is by working with columns. Because you will be working with different block sizes, deciding what textiles to use on each column is more user friendly than building same size blocks like we do in traditional quilting.  It gives you the flexibility to include pieces that have a consistent width but perhaps are shorter in height; this includes sleeves, pockets and smaller logos found on tank tops.

 

  1. Once you are happy with the layout, consider adding small sashing (2.5”) to join columns and create organic growth without overpowering your quilt top. 













  1.  Columns can be very obvious but sometimes they can blend as in the example below. This piece included lots of baby clothes.






  1. A consistent seam allowance will make your quilting a lot easier later. Iron seams to the side throughout the construction process.

 

         

 

  1.  Once your quilt top is completed, it’s time to create a sandwich. Place your quilt top right side up on the batting of your choice, add your backing fabric. Each layer will be bigger than the previous piece. Your backing fabric will be at least 4” wider than your quilt top and at least 2” wider than the batting, all around. I try to minimize waste as much as possible. If you decide to send your quilt top to a longarm quilter, they may have specific guidelines for the quilt backing dimensions. 

Hint: Curved safety pins make the basting process a lot faster if you are quilting on your Janome sewing machine. I use 3.0 for the stitch length. 

  1.  Diagonal straight line quilting is another favorite technique I use when finishing memory quilts. It provides strength, function and beauty. Use the quilting guide on the Janome walking foot for success and chalk marking tool to draft your lines.

 

  1. Binding the quilt is like icing on the cake. I love this step and there are great tutorials available for creating a beautifully finished binding. I use the ¼” hp foot to install the binding. 

 

    

 

It’s an honor to be able to preserve memories and stitch them into a remarkable gift for a loved one. It represents an everlasting hug, full of cherished moments and triumphs; it’s also the perfect gift for graduates, first time homeowners and many more special occasions.

I hope you are inspired to create your own. The most important thing to remember is that stabilizing your shirts with the correct stabilizer will ensure your success.

 

Happy Stitching!

Maday

www.sustainabletextiledesign.com

IG - sustainabletextiledesign

 

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Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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