Memory Items

Back when I suggested to my MIL that I could make Memory Quilts for the children of my brother-in-law, she asked if there was enough fabric leftover could I make her some "useful wee thing" just that she could have.  It breaks my heart that she should have to ask for such a thing because of the circumstances of her son's untimely passing, but I wanted to be sure not to forget her request when I had finished up the quilts.

I had some trouble thinking of what "useful wee thing" would be appropriate for her.  Table runners and mini-quilts didn't seem to fit as they would look strange in her home in these fabrics.  My in-laws are quite practical, non-fussy people so I didn't think that other little ornamental/soft furnishing items would be suitable either.

In the end I decided I'd make something that would be regularly used, practical and would remind her of my brother-in-law each time she had to get it out.  So, I opted for a peg bag.   I used fabrics in the front that my MIL had picked out as having memories for her when she first saw the quilts being put together - shirts she had bought for him or shirts that he had worn on days out with the children that she and my FIL had been along to.

The backing of the peg back is a soft loose weave denim type fabric from another shirt and was perfect for a more durable project as it was slightly too heavy to include in the children's quilts.

I then decided that the denim-esque fabric and some self-striped denim from another shirt I had been unable to use in the quilts would make good pencil cases/pouches and stitched up a little one for my MIL and a bigger one for my FIL too.  He's an artist so I'm sure he will have lots of pens and pencils to fill it and I made it big enough to fit a small sketch pad too.

So, here they are.  Memory items that no parents should ever need to have but which I hope will remind them in a positive way of their son.