- Album or Chimney Sweep Pattern
Memory quilts with names embroidered in the center of each block is a great way to grab hold of special memories. Many people use a pattern called an album block, but there is no agreed single pattern for an album quilt pattern. The idea is to create a frame of some sorts that will surround each name. The pattern shown here is a popular one referred to as an album block or chimney sweep block, but there are other options.
Memory Quilt
As you can see this pattern is not the usual album type. This is another quilt top that was passed on to me. It dates back to 60 years ago. I am unsure of the name of this pattern, but there are 12 star-points with square blocks on point. It resembles a type of starburst. The names on the quilt are from a group of students in eighth grade. Some are still alive-one is my friend’s husband, so I want to finish this “as is” but I need to hurry up and do it SOON!
Have you made an album quilt with embroidered names or possibly using another pattern?
Happy Gardening! May you continue to make memories along the path of life!
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Garden2day 
I have done several memory quilts (and several when I wasn’t a quilter!) but I had people make their own squares and then I put them together as a sampler quilt. Doing it that way makes a very unique quilt, but it can be a nightmare for the person putting it together! You can guarantee that few squares will be the size you requested and of course non quilters will use all sorts of “bad” things on their squares (like felt, which will bled and puffy paint!). I have also seen beautiful memory quilts form years ago where people signed the squares with indelible ink.
I think it helps when the one who is putting the quilt together is present through the project in order to achieve the desired results or has someone who understands what the quilter needs. Puffy paint? Wow. I went to a family reunion 2 years ago when they came here (it meets at a different location across the nation each year) and they had a table cloth where we signed our names so someone could embroider over the signatures. There are many ways to save memories; we just need to do it before the moment is lost. Take care!
I’ve never made an autograph quilt – something I should do soon.
We all have those things we think we will get around to but sometimes they just slip through the cracks. I have lost valuable family history because I did not think enough ahead of time to get it before everyone was gone. I hope you can take care of that soon. Take care!