Quietly United In Infant Loss Together
"Memorial Quilt Specifications"
(Adapted from the Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. (IRIS) “Infant Loss Memorial Quilt”)
Quilts and quilt blocks are traditionally made by groups of people in what is known as a “quilting bee”. In the case of this National Infant Loss Memorial Quilt, parents with help or input from family, friends, or quilting groups are encouraged to come together to create a memorial block for a child that has died from conception through 24 months of age. Having input from others allows time for talking, remembering, and sharing of memories, hopes and deferred dreams. You are certainly welcome to create your block without input from anyone else. You do not have to be a professional artist or a wonderful seamstress to create a precious quilt block in memory of your child/children.
Who can contribute a quilt square?
Anyone wanting to honor and remember the life of a child that has died from conception through their child’s first 24 months of life.
How many blocks can I make?
We request that each family honor their child by creating one (1) block for each child that has died.
How many children can be remembered on one block?
While honoring many children on one block may seem ideal, it may diminish the impact the child has had on the lives of loved ones. Therefore we ask that each child has their own block.
In the case of siblings, you are welcome to request that their blocks be located by each other on the quilt.
In the case of siblings, you are welcome to request that their blocks be located by each other on the quilt.
General Requirements for QUILT Memorial Block:
♥ Finished quilt block must be 3 feet by 3 feet (36 inches by 36 inches) square.
♥ Your entire design must fit inside the 30 inch center of your block. Do Not put any writing or embellishments in the outside 3 inches of the block. This space is needed to sewing the quilt together.
♥ Block must be made of durable washable fabric. The quilt will be touched, handled, and folded often. 100% cotton fabric is recommended to ensure that your child’s block will withstand normal wear and tear.
♥ Inkjet printable fabrics and acceptable.
♥ Finished quilt block should NOT be “hemmed, quilted, or finished” in any manner.
♥ Your entire design must fit inside the 30 inch center of your block. Do Not put any writing or embellishments in the outside 3 inches of the block. This space is needed to sewing the quilt together.
♥ Block must be made of durable washable fabric. The quilt will be touched, handled, and folded often. 100% cotton fabric is recommended to ensure that your child’s block will withstand normal wear and tear.
♥ Inkjet printable fabrics and acceptable.
♥ Finished quilt block should NOT be “hemmed, quilted, or finished” in any manner.
Helpful Hints for Decorating Your Memorial Block:
You are encouraged to decorate your block any way that you would like. Below you will find basic recommendations that will protect your child’s memorial block and the blocks of others.
♥ The memorial blocks may be adorned with photographs (printed on fabric), poems, prayers, quotes, symbols, names, dates, town, etc.
♥ To include photographs on your block use your computer printer and print directly onto printable fabric or contact a local printer, t-shirt design company, or Embroidery Company for assistance.
♥ Avoid using “iron on transfers” for pictures as they tend to crack and peel off the block.
♥ Using fabric markers rather than permanent markers. Permanent makers will fade over time and in sunlight.
♥ Sew everything securely in place on the block. This includes patches that are heat fusible. Anything that comes off of the quilt block will be lost.
♥ Avoid using glue on your quilt block. Glue will dry, crack, and fall off.
30 " Design Area
♥ Avoid using glitter, crayons or paper, as these items can easily fall off of your quilt block and will be lost. They will also damage your quilt block and the blocks of others.
♥ You may wish to incorporate sentimental items such as baby blankets, socks, clothing, etc. into your block, please remember that you will be gifting your block to QUILT, and it will NOT be returned to you. Are you sure you want to part with these items?
♥ Take a picture of the memorial block before sending it to QUILT so you will always remember your design.
♥ Consider making a matching quilt block for a keepsake.
♥ Please consider submitting a story about your child and/ or the memorial quilt block.
♥ DO NOT USE the following items in your block. If any of these items are used, your block will not be placed in the quilt.
1. Puffy Paint – it will crack, break and fall off of the block. In time it will become sticky and destroy your block and the whole quilt. DO NOT USE PUFFY PAINT.
2. Indian Ink or Water Colors as it is not washable. PLEASE DO NOT USE INDIAN INK OR WATER COLORS.
♥ The memorial blocks may be adorned with photographs (printed on fabric), poems, prayers, quotes, symbols, names, dates, town, etc.
♥ To include photographs on your block use your computer printer and print directly onto printable fabric or contact a local printer, t-shirt design company, or Embroidery Company for assistance.
♥ Avoid using “iron on transfers” for pictures as they tend to crack and peel off the block.
♥ Using fabric markers rather than permanent markers. Permanent makers will fade over time and in sunlight.
♥ Sew everything securely in place on the block. This includes patches that are heat fusible. Anything that comes off of the quilt block will be lost.
♥ Avoid using glue on your quilt block. Glue will dry, crack, and fall off.
30 " Design Area
♥ Avoid using glitter, crayons or paper, as these items can easily fall off of your quilt block and will be lost. They will also damage your quilt block and the blocks of others.
♥ You may wish to incorporate sentimental items such as baby blankets, socks, clothing, etc. into your block, please remember that you will be gifting your block to QUILT, and it will NOT be returned to you. Are you sure you want to part with these items?
♥ Take a picture of the memorial block before sending it to QUILT so you will always remember your design.
♥ Consider making a matching quilt block for a keepsake.
♥ Please consider submitting a story about your child and/ or the memorial quilt block.
♥ DO NOT USE the following items in your block. If any of these items are used, your block will not be placed in the quilt.
1. Puffy Paint – it will crack, break and fall off of the block. In time it will become sticky and destroy your block and the whole quilt. DO NOT USE PUFFY PAINT.
2. Indian Ink or Water Colors as it is not washable. PLEASE DO NOT USE INDIAN INK OR WATER COLORS.
If you are unsure of what to do:
♥ Ask a friend or relative to help.
♥ Ask local fabric stores, quilting shop, quilting guild and/or quilt professionals for help. ♥ Search for help online. There are thousands of companies that will make memorial quilt blocks for you.
♥ Ask local fabric stores, quilting shop, quilting guild and/or quilt professionals for help. ♥ Search for help online. There are thousands of companies that will make memorial quilt blocks for you.
What is the Cut-off Date?
♥ July 31, 2014
♥ The memorial quilt will never really be finished. If you are unable to meet our deadline please consider sending in your panel to be added at a later date.
♥ The memorial quilt will never really be finished. If you are unable to meet our deadline please consider sending in your panel to be added at a later date.
Mailing in Your Quilt Block:
♥ Complete the QUILT release Form below.
♥ Enclose the square in a securely closed plastic bag to ensure its clean, safe arrival.
♥ We recommend that you send your Quilt block in a padded envelope with cardboard to protect it.
♥ Send your Quilt Block, Quilt Release Form and Story (if desired) to:
QUILT – United States
11 Taunton Avenue
Hyde Park, MA 02136
QUILT- United Kingdom
TBD
QUILT – Canada
TBD
QUILT – Australia
TBD
QUILT – New Zealand
TBD
♥ You will receive an email confirmation letter of your Quilt Block and safe arrival.
♥ Enclose the square in a securely closed plastic bag to ensure its clean, safe arrival.
♥ We recommend that you send your Quilt block in a padded envelope with cardboard to protect it.
♥ Send your Quilt Block, Quilt Release Form and Story (if desired) to:
QUILT – United States
11 Taunton Avenue
Hyde Park, MA 02136
QUILT- United Kingdom
TBD
QUILT – Canada
TBD
QUILT – Australia
TBD
QUILT – New Zealand
TBD
♥ You will receive an email confirmation letter of your Quilt Block and safe arrival.
Please download the Quilt Specs file for the Memorial Quilt Release Form.
Quilt Specs | |
File Size: | 532 kb |
File Type: |