Feeling organised? Then maybe it's time to sort through that abundance of old baby clothes and create a beautiful keepsake...

The start of a New Year tends to bring out the organized side in many of us, whether it be re-organising the kitchen cupboards, making room in the playroom / bedroom for the abundance of new toys or the arduous task of re-arranging the attic.

So what better time than now, to start sifting through all those old baby clothes that you haven't had the heart to let go of, but you know won't ever be worn again.

Even worse, you are unlikely to ever see them, except in the instance that you are organising the attic!

We wouldn't suggest being ruthless and giving them all away but instead why not pick your absolute favourites and consider turning them into a stylish patchwork quilt, blanket or cushion full of special memories for you and your child?

That way those pre-loved baby clothes that had been gathering dust in the attic can be transformed into a family heirloom that can be seen and treasured every day?


Just a thought.........

FKS x

For more information see: Memory Quilts & Blankets  

• FAQ's   
• How to Order Your Memory Keepsake Quilt 
• How We Make Memory Quilts & Blankets

How are Memory Quilts made and Tips for choosing the right quilter

Memory quilts are a fantastic way to cherish and preserve pre-loved clothes and other fabric items that hold a special place in your heart. 

There will undoubtedly be some clothes that you want to keep in one piece, but there may be a number of other items that you want to keep but are just collecting dust in the attic. 

This is where memory quilts and blankets offer the perfect solution.

What are Memory Quilts?

Memory quilts are created using a range of a customers' pre-loved clothes.  In most cases, mainly baby clothes for a child that is growing up, but we also get asked to make them for families in memory of a loved one.


Styles and designs will vary according to who you buy your memory blanket from, but at For Keep's Sake they are all patchwork quilts, that are carefully designed using separate blocks from your items of clothing. 

They come in a variety of sizes and make a great keepsake as well as special item with an everyday use!

How are Memory Quilts Made?

As I said, this does vary depending on where you get your quilt made.  But we believe that the clothes should be an integral part of the blanket pattern, rather than looking as though they've been thrown together and sewn on. 

We carefully cut blocks from the clothes to create a stunning patchwork quilt that not only looks fantastic but maintains its' special sentiment.  

We can also add extra detail to the blanket where we use different sized blocks of clothing and traditional patchwork patterns, as well as lots of extra details such as modified necklines, buttons, frills and re-applique of small motifs. 

Quilts and blankets can even be personalised with a name and a photo.  Each memory quilt is a true one-of a kind keepsake.

 

 

 

Having given such a high level of detail and attention to the front of each memory quilt, we also consider the backing to be an important part of the design.  

Our customers can either choose from a plain coloured backing or one of 6 beautiful fabrics.

Things to consider before purchasing a Memory Quilt

If you are looking into getting your own memory quilt or blanket made, here are  a few things it may be worth considering, to make sure you are pleased with the end result:

• When looking for a company, it's important that you like the style of the quilter.  Not everyone's style will suit yours, so it would be a good idea to see photos of their work and make sure it meets your expectations.
• Consider the price.  There is no need to pay over the odds, but if a company is charging a lot less than other competing companies - consider the quality of the materials they use when creating their quilts and also the time they tend to spend on designing and making them.
• You are choosing to cut up your favourite pieces of clothing to create a special keepsake that you want to last.  This is another reason why your quilter will need to use good quality materials to create the quilt.
• It's also important that you find out if the fabrics will be stabilized, the type of wadding that they use and how the quilt will be finished (i.e. is it properly quilted) as these factors will all have the biggest bearing on the life and quality of your quilt.
• Make sure you know exactly what you are getting.  Are you getting a patchwork quilt or a quilt that features whole pieces of baby clothes within in?  What do you want?
• Finally, most quilters will understand how important this purchase is to you and will make themselves available to you to answer any questions or to discuss any questions you may have.  Make sure you find someone that is happy to do this, so you are left confident that the end product will be just as you desire! 

If you would like more information on memory quilts or if you are interested in purchasing one, then feel free to visit the links below.


In the meantime, if you've had a memory quilt made or have any tips for anyone looking to get this done - please feel free to comment below.



Love FKS xx




Memory Quilt FAQ's | How to Order Your Memory Keepsake Quilt
See our complete range of memory keepsake quilts, blankets and other items here.

Memory Keepsake Quilts, Blankets and Cushions from Baby Clothes - New Product Line

We are really excited to have just launched our brand new range of keepsake products.  In line with the British-made, hand-made and made-by-mums theme that most of our products embrace, this gorgeous new range will make the ultimate keepsake from your child's pre-loved baby clothes!

Using blocks of the clothing, we can create stylish patchwork memory quilts, blankets and cushions.  Our high quality patchwork products are carefully designed and made to leave you with a precious keepsake full of special memories.  

Because we use your clothes, you are guaranteed a one of a kind product, that is completely bespoke to you.

They make perfect gifts for family and friends, christenings & birthdays and provide the ultimate keepsake for your own child.




This range is already popular and because each order is individually designed and handmade we have current wait times of around 6 weeks for cushions and up to 12 weeks for blankets. 

Unfortunately we don't have any slots left for Christmas, BUT we are offering free delivery for any slots booked before Christmas for delivery sometime in the New Year.  We can give you an approx lead time on enquiry, but please allow at least 12 weeks for quilts / blankets. 

We know that you will have a lot of questions about how we make these items and the order process, so we've included links to all the information you will need below.  But please contact us with and specific questions / ideas / requests.  We'd love to hear from you!

• Visit our website to view our range of memory keepsake quilts, blankets and cushions.
• Memory Quilts FAQ's
• How to Order Your Memory Keepsake Quilt 
• How We Make Memory Quilts & Blankets

 FKS xx

Keepsake Ideas for Old Baby Clothes - Creating Memories

1.Keepsake Frames - Baby Clothes

My youngest is just about to start school and since I have no intentions of adding to the current brood, I have had to start thinking about what to do with the vast amounts of baby grows, gorgeous little clothes, Christmas bibs etc that have taken over not only our loft, but also my in-laws!

It's probably fair to say that I'm a hoarder but surely when it comes to those teeny tiny little outfits, that remind us just how small our children were, you can't blame me...?

2.Memory Keepsake Quilt:Baby Clothes

So the first step is to be ruthless (or try to be) and only keep my most favourite and sentimental items. Next is to try and decide what to do with them..... 

Rather than leave them festering in the attic, I've come across some pretty creative ideas that could help me preserve those special memories and have a clear out:

1. Keepsake Frames.

An obvious answer is to frame them.  Whether it's the first baby grow, a tiny little dress or even your baby's first shoes, you can create a modern keepsake display simply using a deep shadow box frame.

3. Keepsake Memory Scrap Cushion

2. Memory Keepsake Quilts / Blankets.
 
This idea is perfect if you have too many favourites items of clothing to frame.  Using from 15-20 items of your favourite clothing you can create a memory quilt or blanket that has an everyday use and that will become a special keepsake for your child and family heirloom .

3. Keepsake Memory Scrap Cushion. 

A really unique idea - this particular cushion uses a tree as the main image and cuts from the clothes as the leaves to create a colourful and modern, but also sentimental, keepsake cushion.

4. Padded Hanging Decorations / Bunting.

Following a similar theme, this next idea uses old clothes to create hanging Christmas decorations - they look fab and could be switched for padded hearts or bunting, made from baby clothes and hung in the child's bedroom or playroom!

5. Mini Dress Keepsake Frame.  
Another great idea for those of you with lots of clothes - create mini versions of your favourite dresses and frame them. You can even use some of the buttons and trim for your keepsake artwork.
 

5. Mini Dress Keepsake Frame

6. Framed Sun Prints - Baby Clothes. 

And last but not least is another original idea which is great if you want to remember how tiny the clothes were but don't want to frame the clothes themselves. Using the clothes, sun and some special light sensitive paper you can re-create the clothes in bold realistic looking prints.

For more information on any of these ideas, please click on the links underneath all the images to see the original  blog posts and further information/ instructions/ tutorials for creating them.

6. Framed Sun Prints: Baby Clothes

If you are looking for frames to frame your keepsakes - visit www.forkeepssake.co.uk for a wide range of deep shadow box frames, designed specifically for keepsake displays.

And finally, If like me you are not too handy with a sewing machine but love the idea of having a keepsake memory quilt or blank made from your precious baby clothes, blankets and even comforters curtains and bedlinen, then watch this space. We have an exciting new range that is coming very very soon.....!

Thanks for reading.  Please share any comments or ideas you have - also if you've tried any of these we'd love to see some pics!

FKSx