Quilted Picture Pillows!

After seeing my photo pillow, Pam asked if I could make some pillows as Christmas gifts for her son, daughter, and mother. I was delighted to have this special and challenging project.

Her daughter's pillow:

I suggested if she had any of Kayla's (her daughter) dresses maybe we could make a pillow out of her dress. Pam thought this was a fabulous idea and gave me the dress below. I was able to use the fabric to make this adorable pillow!

These would make great flower girl gifts! Using her dress or remnants and a wedding photo, we can make a pillow she can display in her room. What girl doesn't want to be reminded what it's like to dress as a princess and to be a part of something as special and romantic as a wedding? And perhaps one day she can give it to her little girl.

Her son's pillow:

Pam's son, Brandon, had a baby boy who died just after birth. Since then he has had a beautiful little girl. I was honored when Pam asked if I would make a pillow for her son using a picture of his daughter and a baseball baby outfit she had kept for years meant for his son. It was definitely the most difficult project I've attempted to do. For a while I was too emotional to even start. I only had one shot at this and I certainly didn't want to mess it up! It was important that I get it right and I really had to think it through before cutting into this precious garment. The result was quite unique and provided a gift that her son told me he "would cherish forever." It was very rewarding knowing I could create (through God's plan) something to help heal, provide closure, or even to feel connected to a loved one we've lost.

Her mother's pillow:

I had enough lace from Kayla's pillows to create two pillows for the Great-Grandmother to match her living room. I did have to fudge a little on Leanna's (the blond) on the inner lace, but still I think from the pictures you can see that they were a big hit!

Perrymen Pillow

I couldn't help pulling this adorable photo for a pillow. I loved the colors and had fabric to match. These pillows make great gifts! about $40 a piece

Perryman Heirloom Photo Quilt

The Perrymen quilt was created as a Christmas gift for Amber's mother in-law. The colors were chosen by Amber to match the recepient's living room colors - brown and raspberry. The quilt contains 30 photos from the family. It features meandering stitching. The photo framing doesn't have stitching in order to accomodate a smaller budget. A similar quilt would run $600.

Uncle Harry's Patriotic Photo Quilt

To honor my husband's uncle, we decided to make a photo quilt. His daughter snuck the pictures out for us to scan and print while her parents were out of town. I used 20+ photos and a variety of patriotic fabrics. We presented it to him at a family party in August. He had a great emotional, surprised reaction and was wonderful!

If I created another quilt like this, I would probably avoid such busy fabric colors and loud prints in order to enhance and show off the pictures themselves more.

A Fall Quilt

Price List

Quilt Pricing
Due to the unique design work on every quilt, prices are approximate.
For more exact pricing on your quilt, please call for an appointment.
502-762-0434

Soft-edge Memory or Wedding Quilt

(see photo example right) 

Wall-hanging/lap quilt: 45 x 45 $299 & up (* add photo cost)

Twin : 39 x 75 $499 & up (* add photo cost)

Full: 54 x 75 $699 & up (* add photo cost)

Queen: 60 x 80 $899 & up (* add photo cost)

King: 76 x 80 $1099 & up (* add photo cost)

"Stafford" Wedding Quilt (see photo example right)

Wall-hanging/lap quilt: 45 x 45 $345/1 border Add $30.00 per add'l border (*add photo cost)

Twin: 39 x 75 $525/1 border Add $30.00 per additional border (*add photo cost)
Full: 54 x 75 $750/1 border Add $30.00 per additional border (*add photo cost)
Queen: 60 x 80 $900/1 border Add $30.00 per additional border (*add photo cost)
King: 76 x 80 $1156/1 border Add $30.00 per additional border (*add photo cost)




"Hamilton" Wedding Quilt (see photo example right)
Wall-hanging/lap quilt: 45 x 45 $549.00 (*add photo cost) mitered corners $2.00 per photo

Twin: 39 x 75 $790.00 (*add photo cost) mitered corners $2.00 per photo
Full: 54 x 75 $1,095.00 (*add photo cost) mitered corners $2.00 per photo
Queen: 60 x 80 $1,295.00 (*add photo cost) mitered corners $2.00 per photo
King: 76 x 80 $1,645.00 (*add photo cost) mitered corners $2.00 per photo





T-Shirt Quilt (see photo example right)
Wall-hanging/lap quilt: 45 x 45 (9 shirts) $205 & up - $10 per special cut - Add $30 for t-shirt borders

Twin: 39 x 75 (18 shirts) $295 & up - $10 per special cut - Add $40 for t-shirt borders
Full: 54 x 75 (30 shirts) $525 & up - $10 per special cut - Add $50 for t.shirt borders
Queen: 60 x 80 (35 shirts) $625 & up - $10 per special cut - Add $75 for t-shirt borders
King: 76 x 80 (42 shirts) $790 & up - $10 per special cut - Add $125 for t-shirt borders







Soft-Edge Quilts (see photo example right)

Wall-hanging/lap quilt: 43 x 51 42 Squares $126.00
     (Special team brand fabric $168.00)
Twin: 39 x 75 77 Squares $231.00
     (Special team brand fabric $308.00)
Full: 54 x 75 88 Squares $264.00
      (Special team brand fabric $352.00)
Queen: 60 x 80 108 Squares $324.00  
     (Special team brand fabric $432.00)
King: 76 x 80 132 Squares $396.00
     (Special team brand fabric $528.00)

Optional Add-ons:

Sleeve for quilt hanging: $15.00

CD Pocket: (on back of quilt to add information regarding images on the quilt) $5.00


* Photo Prices: 4x6 = $4.00, 5x7 = $5.00, 8x10 = $9.00

Hamilton Wedding Quilt

The Hamilton Wedding Quilt



A closer view of several panels.



Close up of the stitching in between the photographs.
Each section had a different image sewn into it - wedding bells,
a cross, a heart, rings, etc.

I added an image of their actual invitation as well.
This gave it a really unique center image.

Here is a closer image of the stitching. The silver thread really set it off.

T-Shirt Quilts

People have a tendency to collect t-shirts either from vacations, from their schools/colleges, favorite teams, or special interests. They stack up in closets, dressers, etc. What a perfect way to display them. T-shirts can be made with simple borders or use sashing and borders of the t-shirt fabrics making it extra heavy and warm (Ben’s Been There Done That Quilt). T-shirts must be in good shape, not torn or threadbare.

Pricing: Wallhanging - $200 - up; Twin - $300 - up; Full/Queen - $500 - up; King - $600 – up

Willowbend Quilts

I found a really cool company where you can order precision cut designs for wall hangings. The directions said they can also be used as quilts, but every part of the design much be top-stitched. Because I have a lot of “outdoors” men in my family, I decided to use the precision-cut designs into quilts – As you will see some of the areas were miniscule in size and it took many hours to stitch all of these areas, most of which I hand-turned the machine wheel to keep control .

 Believe me when I say I am not accepting any orders on these – the company I purchased them from stopped sending the border print with the design and I feel it really lacks something as a finished product and sometimes matching it is particularly difficult. The other think I learned is do not make these as soft-edge quilts. The patterns harden and sometimes split during washing so it isn’t a very practical quilt. Oh well, you live and you learn as they say.

Soft Edge Quilts

These quilts are also known as “rag quilts”, but every time I called them that people snarled their noses like they smelled an old dish rag. That’s an injustice, of course, because these quilts are delightful. They’re fun, uncomplicated, and can be made rather quickly. I usually make a soft-edge quilt between other projects, just to give my mind a rest. I’ve started calling them “soft-edge” because the seams are sewn out not in, are sandwiched with flannel , and when they’re clipped and washed several times, it makes the seams soft and comfy. Soft-edge quilts are user-friendly. They’re like a warm hug whenever you need one. They’re great to take with you to the football games when the weather is cold. Use them as flags to show support for your team. It would make a great fundraiser for schools or a gift for the sports fan in your life.

Most of the quilts pictured in this category were Christmas gifts. My favorite is the citrus quilt (yellow, orange, green) – I used different colors of flannel to sandwich the blocks and I really love the way it turned out. Notice the diagonal pattern in these quilts. This is my preferred design and is the easiest pattern to do. Even when I attempt a random design it usually comes out looking like a pattern. Someone suggested throwing all the squares into a bag, clothes basket, or whatever. Close your eyes and whatever comes out gets sewn – Maybe I’ll try that next time.

More of the Stafford Wedding Quilt



The entire quilt was absolutely stunning.



The gold stitching really set it off.

They were such a photogenic couple.

Photographers are great at catching the details of the wedding.
Those details enhance the memories captured in my wedding quilts.

Back side of the quilt.

Wedding Quilts

I Love Weddings – I love everything about them. I love the decorations, the dresses, the flowers, the music, the pictures, and I love being a part of something so sacred and beautiful. That’s why I create wedding quilts. When it is displayed into their home – it’s almost like a reconfirmation every day of their love and commitment. They remember the intensity of their love at the very moment saying “I do” or “I will” and maybe by recapturing the significance of the event, they will become even stronger as a couple and perhaps as a family. That’s why the wedding quilts can be made from bridal fabrics as part of the elegance and value of the quilt. The pattern is kept simple concentrating on the event itself, complimenting the photos not overpowering them. These quilts are works of art to be hung or to cover a bed, but not for daily use. Treat your quilt as you would your bridal gown, keep it safe from spillage and out-of-reach of little dirty fingers. You might consider hanging your quilt using a clear plastic cover (i.e. Husky plastic drop cloth from Lowes). This is definitely “look don’t touch” quilts. Hopefully, your wedding quilt will be treasured for generations to come.

To get a more accurate color of the wedding, include a fabric sample (at least 2” square) – some bridemaids will give the bride their dress to actually use in the quilt – how much useable fabric will depend on whether this can be done.

Pricing – Wallhangings - $200 – up (according to size); Twin - $500 – up; Full - $750 - up;

Queen - $1199.00 – up; King - $1299 – up

* * * * * * * * * * *

There are a lot of variables in deciding what kind of quilt you want –

How many pictures do you want and the sizes of those pictures

Do you want more design work (ie Sara’s Wedding) or more pictures (Rusty’s/Alicia’s)

Do you want to hang it or will it be displayed on a bed

Do you want a sleeve sewn in the back to slide a rod through for ease of hanging (optional)

Do you want a cd pocket or history pocket in the bottom corner to hold information about the event/person/persons (optional)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Heirloom Quilts/Memory Quilts

HQMQs could be any quilt you make. Any picture quilt, t-shirt quilt, or really any quilt could qualify as an heirloom quilt. You can get as creative as you want or keep it simple. With Nita’s Memories, I used antique and bridal laces, trims and appliqués to accent the pictures. Then in a most unusual form, I used the soft-edge method for the design. I love the way the pictures turned out and the look on her face as she examined every square was very heart-warming. There was a hard lesson learned from creating this in a soft-edge quilt; that is because the soft edge quilt requires several washings to soften the edges, I had several repairs to make to the antique and bridal lace. They are not made for normal washing. I don’t think in this instance I would have done it any differently because I love the way it turned out.


We can take shirts from a relative, add photos if you like, even include an old buckle from a belt or perhaps attach fishing lures into the quilt (these are works or art only not for practical use). Your grandmother’s wedding gown would make the perfect foundation for the family’s photos. Or even think about that perfect vacation – wouldn’t it be great to display it in fabric form on your wall. It would bring a smile to your face every time you passed by it. One client has a collection of old jeans and is an avid fisher. He is gathering pictures of all his fishing trips which we are going to incorporate into a jean picture quilt. What a great way of recycling and reusing jeans.

Pricing: Varies according to size and how much you want to do – if it includes pictures, if we’re using something you have requiring special cutting. I would say a starting point for wallhangings would be $200 - $300 and the pricing would go up there.

What to do with all those shirts!

Are you or someone you know an avid collector of t-shirts – Nascar, boy scouts, patriotric, sports team, school t-shirts – all of these can make a fun enjoyable quilt – this quilt was made for Ben whose mother collected t-shirts from the time he started t-ball all through his college years – When he received it he started laughing remembering some of those special times – when Nickelodeon came to their school – all his classmates signed (which explains the weird neon green shirt in the corner) – he couldn’t believe all those shirts had been saved and it meant a lot to him to have such a special gift.

Those shirts are just lying around anyway – do something exciting and fun – and maybe give someone a gift that they will remember all the days of their lives.