Have you always wanted a photo memory quilt, but don’t know how to sew? You’re not alone! Many of our customers have treasured family photos they want preserved in a quilt but have never made one before.

The good news is you do not have to be a quilter to create a beautiful memory quilt.

At Photo Quilt Blocks, we print your photos directly onto fabric, professionally prepare them with seam allowances, and send them to you ready to sew into a quilt. While we don’t make the finished quilts, we’ll help you through the planning process so you can confidently work with a local quilter.

Whether you’re making a memorial quilt, wedding quilt, graduation quilt, retirement gift, baby memory quilt, or vacation quilt, this guide will walk you through every step.

If you’ve always wanted to create a photo memory quilt but don’t know how to sew, you’re in the right place. Making a beautiful photo quilt is easier than you might think when you break the process into simple steps. In this guide, we’ll show you how to choose the best photos, select a memory quilt pattern, find a local quilter, order professionally printed photo quilt blocks, coordinate fabrics, add a personalized quilt label, and work with a quilter to complete your project. Whether you’re creating a memorial quilt, wedding photo quilt, graduation quilt, or another treasured keepsake, this step-by-step tutorial will help you confidently turn your favorite memories into a one-of-a-kind family heirloom that will be cherished for generations.

Step 1: Choose the Photos for Your Memory Quilt

Start by gathering the photos that tell your story.

Some of the most popular memory quilt themes include:

• Memorial quilts
• Wedding quilts
• Graduation and senior quilts
• Baby quilts
• Family heritage quilts
• Military quilts
• Vacation memories
• Sports and hobbies
• Anniversary gifts

As you sort through your photos, think about the story you want your quilt to tell. Sometimes less is more—choosing your very best images often creates a more meaningful quilt than trying to include every photograph.

Tip: High-resolution photos produce the best printed fabric blocks.

The main questions you may have about your photos are these:

• Where can you gather your photos from? Social Media, old photographs, cell phone photos, screens shots, printed photos that are scanned in.
• What size do the photos need to be? 300 DPI. You can read this article to understand this quickly!
• Can I scan old photos in for my quilt? Yes. Scan them in at 300 dpi.

Step 2: Choose a Quilt Pattern

The pattern you choose makes a huge difference in how your photos will look.

We recommend patterns that have large solid spaces where each photo can be inserted as one complete block.

Avoid patterns where the photo area is made from several small pieces sewn together. Those seams will run right through your pictures.

Great places to find inspiration include:

• Our curated collection of memory quilt-friendly patterns
• Quilt shops
• Pinterest
• Etsy pattern designers
• Quilt books and magazines

Your pattern doesn’t have to be specifically labeled as a “photo quilt.” Just look for designs with large uninterrupted blocks.

Step 3: Find Someone to Make Your Quilt

If you don’t sew, now is the perfect time to find someone who does.

Having a quilter involved early can save you time, money, and frustration.

Places to find a quilter

• Ask family or friends
• Visit your local quilt shop
• Search Facebook quilting groups in your area
• Contact a local quilt guild
• Ask local longarm quilters for recommendations

There are often different people involved in finishing a quilt:

Quilt Piecer

The piecer sews all the blocks together and creates the quilt top.

Longarm Quilter

The longarm quilter adds batting and backing, then stitches through all three layers to hold the quilt together.

Binding

Some longarm quilters also sew the binding onto the quilt, creating the finished edge.

Before ordering your photo blocks, show your chosen quilter:

• Your photos
• Your quilt pattern
• Your layout ideas

They can confirm everything will work together before you order.

Step 4: Order Your Photo Quilt Blocks

Now you’re ready to order.

Order the block sizes your pattern requires.

ORDER INDIVIDUAL BLOCKS HERE

ORDER PHOTOS IN BULK HERE

We offer:

• Individual photo blocks
• Bulk Fat Quarter printing for many smaller blocks (under 8″)
• Larger individual blocks for photos over 8″

One important thing to know:

The sizes listed on our website are finished block sizes. Check with your quilt piecer and your pattern to verify what size blocks you need for your quilt.

We automatically add the seam allowances around every block, so they arrive ready to sew.

That means there’s no measuring or guessing on your part.

Step 5: Choose Coordinating Fabrics

Once your printed photo blocks arrive, it’s time for one of the most fun parts—choosing the coordinating fabrics.

We highly recommend waiting until you receive your printed blocks before shopping for fabric.

Why?

Computer monitors and phone screens display colors differently. Your printed fabric may vary slightly from what you saw on screen.

Matching fabrics to the actual printed blocks creates a much more beautiful finished quilt.

If possible, take your quilter with you to the quilt shop. They can help choose fabrics that complement both your photos and your pattern.

Don’t Forget Your Personalized Quilt Label

A quilt label turns a beautiful quilt into a treasured family heirloom.

Your quilt label should include:

• Recipient’s name
• Who made the quilt
• Who the quilt honors (if memorial)
• Occasion
• Date completed
• Names of people in the photos (optional)
• Special quote or meaningful message
• City and state (optional)

We’ll continue adding new personalized quilt label designs, so be sure to browse our collection before placing your order.

ORDER YOUR QUILT LABEL HERE!

Step 6: Let the Experts Do the Sewing

Now comes the easy part.

Hand your photo blocks, coordinating fabrics, and quilt pattern to your quilt piecer.

Once the quilt top is complete, it will either:

• Go to the same person for quilting, or
• Be delivered to a longarm quilter.

The longarm quilter adds:

• Batting
• Quilt backing
• Quilting stitches
• Binding (if requested)

Then your masterpiece is complete.

Step 7: Pick Up Your Finished Memory Quilt

Few moments are as exciting as seeing your finished photo quilt for the first time.

Every photo you’ve carefully chosen has now become part of a quilt that will be treasured for generations.

Whether it’s given as a gift or kept in your own home, you’ve created something truly one of a kind.

Step 8: Enjoy and Share Your Quilt

Now it’s time to celebrate!

Take photos of:

• The quilt by itself
• The recipient opening it
• Family members wrapped in the quilt
• Close-up shots of your favorite photo blocks

Then:

• Share your quilt on Facebook or Instagram.
• Email us photos—we absolutely love seeing what our customers create!
• Leave a review to help others begin their own memory quilt journey.

Every memory quilt tells a unique story, and we’d be honored to see yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a photo quilt if I’ve never sewn before?

Absolutely! Many of our customers don’t sew. They simply plan the quilt, order the photo blocks, and work with a local quilter to assemble it.

Do you make finished quilts?

No. We specialize in professionally printing your photos onto fabric and preparing them with seam allowances so they’re ready for quilting.

How large can my photo blocks be?

We offer a variety of finished sizes. Larger blocks are ordered individually, while smaller blocks can often be printed together on Fat Quarters for added value.

Can you help me choose a quilt pattern?

Yes! We’ve curated patterns that work especially well with photo quilt blocks because they feature large uninterrupted spaces for your photos.

Start Your Memory Quilt Today

Creating a photo memory quilt doesn’t require sewing skills—just meaningful photos, a beautiful pattern, and a talented quilter to bring it all together.

We’ll take care of printing your memories on high-quality fabric, adding the seam allowances, and preparing every block so it’s ready for the next step.

Soon, your favorite moments will become a beautiful quilt that can be loved, shared, and passed down for generations.