Often, when a special event is coming up, like a wedding, I am asked by a non-quilter who wants to learn how to quilt in a hurry, “What would be the best kind of quilt to make for a gift?” Usually, there is a deadline involved and the person is at a zero skill level or a minimal one. This is such a difficult question!

The obvious, easy answer is to make a “cheater cloth” quilt and have the top machine-quilted by someone else. That involves no pain, no strain, and puts the burden of the quilt’s creation on another person’s shoulders. Even more simple a plan is to buy a quilt that is ready-made, but that, too, gets involved. If a person would like a hand-quilted quilt, they can be purchased in department store, but may fall apart, if ever washed. The low price translates to mean that the quality of hand-quilting is not good. Believe me, two stitches per inch is far below the norm of even “acceptable” hand quilting. Most of those are imported quilts, some made in something akin to a slave-labor situation, in other words, sweat shops that do not treat their workers well, making employees work long hours, for little pay, and with hardly a break.

However, both the idea of a quick quilt or a bought quilt, miss the point. Really, the gift giver wants to craft their own vision and use their own color choices to make something memorable, of good, if not high, quality. The gift giver want to provide something home-y, made with love, in the hope that the gift will be treasured.

If you are limited for time and not sure how well a bed quilt would be appreciated, consider making a wall hanging. Wall quilts can be artistically-expressive, decorative, and will be less of an investment in terms of money, in case the bride does not like the quilt.

That reason may account, at least partially, for the number of unused wedding quilts that have come down through the ages and are now antiques. There are countless antique quilts that were never used. They were tucked away into a trunk, and except for a musty smell, or a few acid stains from wood oils leaching into the fabrics, they are in pristine condition.

People tend to hoard material things and save them “for best.” “Best” comes along when the first wife dies, and the second one throws all caution to the wind, deciding to actually use the item, be it a doily, a crocheted afghan, or … a quilt!

If you decide that you really want to make a bed quilt, enlist help. Make it a community project! Construct blocks that have space for writing in the center, such as the Home of the Brave Block or the traditional Autograph Quilt block. After pressing the back of the block to the shiny side of freezer paper, in order to stabilize the top surface for writing, send a block to friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, or church or alumni associates of the bride and groom. Have them add their names and a message, if they wish, but be sure they write it in permanent ink. I like Pigma Pen ink, applied with the size nib of your choice. I find that #1 or #3 Pigma Pens work well. When you get the blocks back, be sure to heat press them on both top and bottom sides of the block, after removing the paper.

This antique quilt, seen above, is a 16 patch. Found in a Connecticut home, it is in pristine condition, in spite of its having been around since the 19th century. It is superbly hand-quilted. Was it a wedding present? We will never know!

Whatever design you choose, keep it simple, especially if you are the mother of the bride. No doubt, you will have to help out in many other areas of wedding planning. “Nine patch” is the block that traditionally was used to teach little girls to piece. If you have never quilted before, that might be a good place to start. Keep the couples’ favorite colors in mind, or the quilt will end up as a bed for their dog, or worse, decorating the landfill.

These are just a few of my ideas on this busy morning. Have a wonderful day today. The sun is shining in New Hampshire and all is right with the world.

We would love to see examples of wedding quilts that you have made or been given. Send photos to:

Patricia Cummings