Patti Sews and Quilts

Patti Sews and Quilts I am a custom sewing designer specializing in memorial keepsakes (stuffed animals, bears, pillows, & quilts) from clothing. I can use most fabrics.

I emphasize design & proper preparation techniques to sew meaningful keepsakes that are one of a kind.

Part 7- Make a t-shirt quilt with meOver the past few days, I spent almost 4 hours quilting the layers together and then...
06/05/2026

Part 7- Make a t-shirt quilt with me

Over the past few days, I spent almost 4 hours quilting the layers together and then spent another 3 hours trimming and binding.
All that is left to do is tie off and clip the threads and then deliver it to the graduate at her party on Sunday.

Total time of active work- 20.5 hours
Materials used:
30 - t-shirts
7 yards fusible tricot
4 yards 60” wide sweatshirt fleece
1 twin package of Quilter’s Dream request poly batting

Final reveal after delivery.

Part 6 - Make a t- shirt quilt with meLoad the backing, batting, and quilt onto the longarm. The backing is the same mat...
06/01/2026

Part 6 - Make a t- shirt quilt with me

Load the backing, batting, and quilt onto the longarm.
The backing is the same material sweatshirts are made from. The batting is a super thin polyester from Quilter’s Dream.
With everything layered aligned, I stitched the first horizontal line. I will be using a ruler foot.

This used to take a 3-4 hours laying everything out on the floor and pinning the layers in place.
Now I can load and start stitching in 50-60 minutes.

Part 5 - Make a t-shirt quilt with me.Memorial weekend I was able to sew the quilt top together and add the borders. I l...
06/01/2026

Part 5 - Make a t-shirt quilt with me.

Memorial weekend I was able to sew the quilt top together and add the borders. I like to use sweatshirt material for this to have consistent texture and feel across the top. This took a total of 4 hours 15 min.

Finishing had been put on hold last week, as I had another project to finish on the long arm, but it is ready to be loaded and quilted now and should be finished in time for the celebration next weekend.

Total time spent so far is 12:40.

Part 4 -Make a t-shirt quilt with me.Time to trim the shirts to the sizes determined from the design phase. I have spec...
05/22/2026

Part 4 -Make a t-shirt quilt with me.

Time to trim the shirts to the sizes determined from the design phase. I have special templates for this step.
Once cut, I lay each piece out in place on my floor or design wall. I needed to use the floor for this one since it is so long. (1:15 min)

I really like the puzzle/collage style layout. I feel it creates movement and forces the eye to scan the whole quilt. It isn’t predictable, so your brain really takes in the whole of it at once.
Time to sew!

Part 3- Make a custom t-shirt quilt with me.I received the go ahead to make Version 1 which has 33 pieces cut from 30 sh...
05/21/2026

Part 3- Make a custom t-shirt quilt with me.

I received the go ahead to make Version 1 which has 33 pieces cut from 30 shirts.
- I rough cut the shirts to size.(55 min)
- I cut the fusible interfacing for each piece. It took almost 7 yards of 20” wide fusible. Two pieces are sweatshirt and don’t need stabilizer, and one piece is a “see through “ jersey that needs woven muslin sewn to the back. (45 min)
- I then used a heat press to fuse the interfacing to the back of each shirt. (1:30 min)

Total time spent so far: 7 hours and 10 min.

Make a custom t-shirt quilt with me- part 2.After 2+ hours of design time, (manipulating the shirt images in my computer...
05/18/2026

Make a custom t-shirt quilt with me- part 2.

After 2+ hours of design time, (manipulating the shirt images in my computer program), I now have 4 different layout proofs that have been sent by email for final approval. No shirts have been cut yet.

Each quilt I make is always designed based on the garments given to me and a thorough consultation. I adjust each shirt's final size based on the image size, the amount of blank space desired around each image, symmetry if desired, color balance, and how each piece fits with the others.

Which version would you choose?

Make a custom t-shirt quilt with me this week.I have 30 shirts from D, who graduates high school this month. Quilt needs...
05/18/2026

Make a custom t-shirt quilt with me this week.

I have 30 shirts from D, who graduates high school this month. Quilt needs to be a twin xl for the dorm, so it will finish at approximately 60”x96”.
*First step: photograph each shirt with a potential size template overlaid on the shirt. (45 min)
*Second step: import each picture into my computer program, crop and scale each picture, and roughly place them into a layout position. (90 min)

I have been working on the replica version of my friend’s vintage quilt. Using modern techniques, while still time consu...
05/12/2026

I have been working on the replica version of my friend’s vintage quilt. Using modern techniques, while still time consuming, definitely speeds up the process.
I am cutting 2.5” x40” strips and sewing them along the long edge in groups of 5, and then sub-cutting into 2.5” strips.
The vintage quilt was cut into individual 2.25” squares and then hand stitched with a scant seam allowance , one square at a time.

I am a memory bear and memorial stuffed animal maker. I also create designer memorial decorative pillows.I typically can...
05/11/2026

I am a memory bear and memorial stuffed animal maker. I also create designer memorial decorative pillows.

I typically can use any type of fabric from dress shirts/polos to sheers, knits, sweaters and everything in between. I have sewn with dog bandanas and sweaters too.

I have over 30 different animal patterns available: bears, dogs, bunnies, rhinos, squirrels, cats, deer, elephants, gnomes, Santa and angels, to name a few.
-Each memorial item is designed specifically to use the articles of clothing that is most important to you. I include applique, name embroidery, zippers, pockets, etc.
-Each memory item is unique and fully customized.
-Each is also fully stabilized with the proper interfacing for the fabrics being used to ensure longevity.

When choosing to have a memorial quilt made from your loved ones clothing, there are many options and considerations.-Ho...
05/11/2026

When choosing to have a memorial quilt made from your loved ones clothing, there are many options and considerations.
-How will the quilt be used? Do you wish it to be for decoration, or do you wish to be able to wrap it around yourself and snuggle under it?
- Do you wish the quilt to immediately be recognized that it was made from clothing or have it be less obvious?
-Do you wish to mix up the types of clothing within the quilt; dress shirts, chiffon, suede, knit, sweaters, etc. or have it made from all one type of fabric?
-Are you interested in a custom and unique layout designed specifically for you, with your input into the final design?

I am a custom designer who is also very familiar with grief. I would be happy to walk with you and design something special for you.
Below are just four examples of unique memorial quilts that I have made for others. Each is special and individualized to the person they memorialize.

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Hudson, OH

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