How a Pile of Clothes Becomes a Quilt Full of Memories

It all starts with a parcel. Sometimes it’s a box full of baby grows and vests; other times it’s school uniforms, a favourite dressing gown, or pieces that belonged to a loved one. No matter what’s inside, I always take a quiet moment before unwrapping it — because I know how much love and memory is tucked into every fold.

At Heirloom Quilts, my job is to turn those worn and well-loved fabrics into something new: a quilt that’s both beautiful and meaningful.

Here’s a little peek into how I do it.

Step 1: Sorting & Planning

First, I gently sort through the clothes to get a feel for colours, textures, and themes. I look for those sweet little details — like poppers, motifs, or embroidered names — and start imagining how they’ll come together.

Step 2: Designing the Layout

No two quilts are ever the same. Whether you’ve chosen stars, hearts, squares, or something completely bespoke, I lay out your fabric in a way that balances colour and memory. Think of it like telling a story — each piece has its part.

Step 3: Cutting & Stabilising

To protect delicate fabrics (baby clothes can be especially soft and stretchy!), I stabilise each piece by hand before cutting them to size. This helps your quilt last for many years to come.

Step 4: Piecing it All Together

Now the magic really begins. I sew the pieces together into the quilt top, add a soft cotton backing, and quilt along each side of the seams to give structure and that lovely stitched look.

Step 5: Final Touches & Delivery

Embroidery, labels, tabs with initials — whatever personal touches you’ve chosen, I add them now. Then your quilt is pressed, wrapped, and sent home to you, ready to be treasured.

Throughout the process, I’ll keep you updated with little progress photos and notes. It’s important to me that you feel part of the journey — because this is your quilt, your story, and your memories stitched together with care.

Whether it’s made from baby clothes or something else entirely, your quilt is more than just fabric. It’s a hug you can keep.