Mother's Wool Memorial Quilt, New-To-Me Free Pattern Link Site, and Round Robin

My mother passed away in 2005.  I have been working sporadically on this quilt since then.  The last stitch was placed in the binding this week!  I went through my Mom's closet after she passed with the idea that I would make a memory quilt from some of her clothing.  My mother loved fine clothes and had a few 100% wool suits.  I decided that would be what I would use.  So the top is pieced with 100% wool everywhere.  The back is flannel to be soft against the skin.  The batting is polyester.  It turned out quite heavy and warm.  I really love it.

There are many ways to go about memory quilts.  You can do pictures and use the quilt for display.  I wanted something that I could wrap around me and use for comfort.  Something that when I put it on me I could feel her loving me and make me think of all the words of wisdom she left me to add to my comfort. 

I made the one in the next picture for a friend who lost her husband.  I didn't know her husband, so I spent a few hours listening to her tell me about him and his life.  I think that was almost more therapeutic than receiving this quilt to remember him by, but needless to say she cried when she received it.  You can also read the post about this if you like HERE.

My mother's memorial quilt is a Thimbleberries pattern.  I would not recommend such small piecing as those evergreen trees to anyone when using wool.  It was a fight to make them.  The sources I found sometimes recommended 1/4 inch seams (which is what I used, because I was afraid of running out of fabric) and others recommended 1/2" seams. Seeing the quilting struggles from the bumps, I think I would recommend 1/2 inch seems to anyone wanting to make a wool quilt. I would also recommend ironing the seems open, as this would also reduce the bulk.  I did this where I could, but some of the fabric was very heavy, and it was hard to get the 1/4 inch seems apart.

My wonderful friend, Deb Cavanaugh quilted this for me.  She had an awful time getting over the bumps of the seams.  Deb is the most wonderful and generous lady.  She is an ace at feathers, and I have learned a lot from her about that subject as well as others regarding quilting.  Here is a closeup of the quilting:

The picture doesnt do it justice really.  Her work is fabulous!

Another thing I wanted to share with you today is a site that is a library of quilt patterns.  This is a HUGE amount of patterns.  It is going to take me weeks to check them all out.  I hope you enjoy them as well.  It is from Cheryl in Canada. 

Click HERE to view her hundreds of links.

As always, there will be a permanent link that will be able to be found by clicking on the tab for Free Quilt Blocks/Patterns above.  It will be under Cheryl's Quilting Links.

Lastly, I wanted to share a picture of a dear friend, Mary.  She is a part of a round robin I am participating in.  This is Mary's quilt.  She made the center.  My part was the red Ohio stars on the left and right sides.  I think it turned out beautifully.  The rest of the round robins are still being worked on.  I will post pictures of the finished quilts as they are finished.  Here is Mary:

Didn't it turn out cute?