Signature Quilt question

Nice to see you here, Cheryle. Here are just a few suggestion - You have to have the guests use the 'right' kind of pen and you have to keep up with the pens. If the party is in April, you should be able to appoint 2 or 3 friends in charge of your project to see that all of the guests who would like to get an opportunity to sign. You will need to border the signature squares with something (cheap masking tape will be fine) so that the guests don't write outside of the lines on your seam allowance. You will need to back the fabric with something (plain old freezer paper will do) so that the fabric is stable enough for writing on. ( I know, preposition to end a sentence with) What a wonderful idea to celebrate a 90th birthday. That is just so lovely. Very warm best wishes for your project. Polly

"Cheryle Finn" I haven't posted here in several years but I do enjoy reading regularly

I think it would be easier -- to have them just sign squares... and assemble later. That way you can easily have multiple people signing at once... and should someone make an error... or a pen explodes or some other non-desired outcome -- you lose a block... not a quilt top.

Don't forget to grab a couple of pieces of cardboard -- and use glue or spray adhesive to affix some fine grit sandpaper. Then your signers can put their fabric on the sandpaper -- the fabric won't slide... and their writing will likely be more legible.

Also be sure to use the proper pens (I used sharpie once --not realizing that when they got wet... the bleed!)

Do a Google Image search for "signature quilt" and you'll get lots and lots of ideas!!

Have fun... and Happy Birthday to your dear aunt!

Polly's two suggestions are soooo important. Backing with freezer paper will make it much easier for all the people signing the fabric. Also, somehow covering what will be the seam allowance is equally important. Let's just say that bad experiences have led me to discover what Polly has written to you.

If you had more time, I would suggest getting the fabric signed ahead of time, but with your short time frame, I really don't think it would be possible. I had trouble getting 15 pieces signed from people in one building, in a month, and I saw them all every day, was next to impossible. It might be good though to get a note to everyone so that they can arrive at the party with there message already figured out and they just have to sign. You could also have a small poster, letter size paper, with a drawing/copy/etc of what you envision the final quilt to be, on the signing table. This would provide a vision to the guests and birthday girl alike of what the final quilt will approximately look like.

I'm sure that your Aunt will love the quilt. The two collegues that I made retirement quilts for, and my partner, all had a great time looking at and reading the notes. Mine were shapes on the back of the quilts that I had made.

Have fun. P.S. Your're from my old neck of the woods. When I was sailing on the ships I was through the locks twice every week. Such a beautiful area. I do miss it.

Steven Alaska

"Cheryle Finn" I haven't posted here in several years but I do enjoy reading regularly

When I did this -- I created a cardboard "frame" that they laid over their square -- sure was easier than taping each square would have been. And pulling off the tape -- I bet it would pull a lot of threads...

Just an idea!

Thanks, Polly. I had not thought about putting masking tape on the squares. Great suggestions.

Cheryle

Thanks, Kate. Yes, I think putting the squares together later is best for the reasons you mentioned. I like the cardboard/sandpaper idea as well. And I will stay away from Sharpies....thanks so much for the info...

Cheryle

Thanks, Steve. Yes, getting signatures in advance would have helped but not enough time. I do like your idea of giving guests a heads up so they could be prepared with their messages..great point. The drawing of what the quilt will look like is also good. I do have a nice picture of my aunt that I thought I would put onto fabric and have that as the centre. Also pics from the party could be added later.

How nice that you know the Sault area and locks. Was your ship carrying steel?

Cheryle

Mary, the 25th Anniversary quilt sounds amazing. Also using the pieced blocks to display the pics is so unique. Thanks for shaing those great ideas....

Cheryle

Kate, using a cardboard frame is also a great idea....thanks for tip....

Cheryle

On Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:47:55 -0500, Cheryle Finn wrote (in article ):

I'd say blocks or squares with freezer paper ironed to the back. You'll probably also want to mark the seam allowances some way. Hopefully, people will sign within the area you want them to sign

If you cut the squares extra large and tape off the area outside the seam line, you can trim them to size and remove any raggy edges before sewing them together. You'll probably have raggy edges anyhow after the squares have been handled to sign them.

Whatever pens you use, it's probably a good idea to heat-set the ink before washing.

Julia in MN

Lots of useful suggestions in this thread. Here is another idea. Just cut a nice big square of white muslin and press it to freezer paper. Secure that to a cardboard or something. Let people sign all over the square with a variety of ink colors. Use this as the front or use it on the reverse side, pieced with big squares of color fabric. Use as many white squares as needed to accommodate party guests. Quick and easy. PAT in VA/USA

thanks, Maureen. I have about 40 blocks made so far and will start getting some of the family to sign soon.

Cheryle

Thanks Julia.....I have to start checking out pens. I have used Pigma pens (fine) but think I will go medium this time.

Cheryle

Pat, I like this idea too....especially when I think there are going to be more than a hundred guests besides family. And the big squares could be used on the back....thanks...

Cheryle