Memory Quilt Design Aspects and Specifications

DESIGN ASPECT DEFINITIONS

Backing is the fabric that is on the back of the quilt, as the name suggests. You will not have backing if you have novelty squares on both sides of your quilt.

Batting is the fluffy material placed between the front and back of the quilt. It gives the quilt it's puffiness, texture and body. Batting comes in polyester or cotton; and low, medium or high loft.

Binding is the thin border around the edge of the entire quilt.

Embroidered squares are novelty squares that contain machine embroidery that we embroider for you. This could be a special quote, date, name and/or title. A square that contains embroidery that you have supplied to us is not considered an embroidered square.

Loft refers to the thickness, or puffiness, of the batting.

Novelty binding is a binding created using novelty items. The novelty items usually must be cut in strips then sewn together to make long strips to go around the entire quilt.

A novelty element is the front or back of an article of clothing or anything that can be sewn onto a blank square such as a faric photo, banner, embroidery, baseball caps, neckties, etc.

Novelty square refers to one square or block that has the novelty element in it and is ready to be sewn into the quilt. There may be more than one novelty element in one square. A regular novelty square is one where the novelty element just needs to be cut out and is ready to be sewn into the quilt (such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and blankets). An extraordinary novelty square is one where extra work is required to get it to the point of being ready to be sewn into the quilt (such as photos, embroidery, baseball caps, and multiple novelty elements). The standard size for squares is 15"X15".

Photo squares are novelty squares that include a photo that has been transferred to fabric. Photos are digitized, printed on a special high quality fabric decal, then ironed onto white fabric. Click here for more information on order photo squares.

Sashing is the fabric between squares to separate them. Adding sashing enhances the look of the quilt by setting off each novelty square by itself.

Frames are thin (usually no more than 1/4") pieces of contrasting fabric that outlines a square.

STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

We will use the following specifications unless otherwise indicated on your design sheet.

Design	Novelty squares are cut the same size and laid out in a grid pattern with sashing between the squares.
Novelty squares	size: 15"X 15", with one novelty element per square
Photo squares	If you are incorporating photos, the maximum size for each photo on the quilt is 8"X 10".
Sashing	3" wide
Binding	1", same fabric as sashing
Fabric Color	BLACK WHITE RED COBALT BLUE NAVY BLUE YELLOW GREEN PURPLE ORANGE TEAL MAROON FUCHSIA The following colors also are available in pastel shades. Please note that the colors may vary depending on your monitor settings.
Backing	Same fabric as sashing
Batting	medium loft polyester
Preparation and Sewing techniques	Each novelty square is backed with a lightweight interfacing to stabilize it for a smooth, even surface. The entire quilt is machine quilted, usually following the lines of the square's motif. This provides a nice even surface, while giving it texture and interest. It also ensures that the batting will not bunch up inside the quilt. The utmost care and sewing skills are used so that the seams and topstitching will be attractive and durable.
Quality Materials	We use pre-washed 100% cotton solid color fabric for the sashing, backing and binding. The fabric that you choose for the sashing will also be used for the binding and the backing. Only high quality thread and batting is used.