How to Make an Heirloom Quilt

Making an heirloom quilt requires much thought when it comes to pattern and fabric choice. Your skill as a quilter will also determine whether your quilt remains with your family or friends and stands the test of time. Follow these steps if you want to make an heirloom quilt.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Quilting thread
• Regular thread
• Rotary cutter
• Ruler
• Mat
• Iron
• Batting
• Quilting pins
• Quilting pencil

1. Practice, practice, practice. Perhaps you are already an excellent quilter; if not, you will want to become one before you mark a wedding or anniversary with the gift of a quilt.

2. Choose a classic design for your heirloom quilt. Some choices include a nine patch, a bride's quilt, a brass ring design, or an interlocked squares design.

3. Select your fabrics to match the quilt you choose. For example, choose Christmas colors as a gift for a December wedding. Use gold or silver fabrics as accent pieces for a wedding or anniversary quilt. Pick timeless colors so your quilt won't look dated in years to come.

4. Sign and date your quilt. You can find some label patterns in quilting books or online. A signature is a must for an heirloom quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a lot of free time but you want to give someone a lasting gift, choose a one-block wall quilt in a classic design.

Resources

• Learn how to make an heirloom quilt on Woman's Day.
• Heirloom quilting designs offers books on the topic.
• Learn about quilts through the ages on History of Quilts.