Two Quilts, Two Stories: Turning Memories Into Quilts
Some of my favorite quilts are the ones that tell a story.
Not just through the fabric and pattern, but through the photographs, handwritten messages, accomplishments, and memories that are built right into the quilt.
Today I want to share two very special quilts made by Diane Burnett of LaCygne, Kansas, a member of the Miami County Quilters Guild.
Diane used Photo Quilt Blocks to create two completely different quilts for her grandchildren—and I absolutely love how personal both of them are!
A Wedding Quilt Filled With Messages From Family & Friends
The first quilt was made for Diane’s grandson, Benjamin, and his wife, Abby Roth.
But this wasn’t just a wedding photo quilt.
It was also a wedding guest signature quilt.
The couple’s wedding guests were invited to write personal messages on the quilt blocks, creating a one-of-a-kind collection of wedding wishes, encouragement, memories, and love from the people who celebrated their special day.
The quilt combines beautiful wedding photographs with colorful quilt blocks covered in handwritten messages.
And that is what makes this quilt so special.
Years from now, Benjamin and Abby won’t just be able to look at their wedding photographs. They’ll be able to read the actual words written by the people who were there.
What Pen Works for Signing Quilt Blocks?
Diane shared that she used an Ultra Fine Sharpie and a Micron Pigment pen for the handwritten messages. Another pen that was recommended to her was a Nano Liner, size 05.
If you’re considering making your own signature quilt, it’s always a good idea to test your pen on a scrap of the actual fabric first. You want something that writes clearly, doesn’t bleed excessively, and will remain easy to read after the quilt is finished and cared for.
A Graduation Quilt Celebrating a High School Career
The second quilt Diane made tells a completely different story.
This red, black, and gray quilt was created for her grandson, Eli Roth, who graduated from Hesston High School in May 2026 and is now a freshman at Kansas State University.
This quilt is packed with memories from Eli’s high school years.
It includes photographs, school graphics, sports memories, team designs, accomplishments, and meaningful words that represent his time at Hesston High School.
The red, black, and gray color scheme brings all of those individual memories together into one cohesive quilt.
And look at all of the different types of memories Diane was able to include!
There are photos of Eli, sports graphics, team information, championship memories, school designs, and inspirational messages.
Instead of putting those memories into a box or scrapbook, Diane turned them into something Eli can actually use and enjoy.
Sharing the Quilt With Her Quilt Guild
Diane recently shared Eli’s quilt at the Miami County Quilt Guild quilt show, where it attracted plenty of attention.
I love hearing stories like this!
Quilters understand how special it is when a quilt has a story behind it. And when you add photographs, those stories become even more personal.
Your Memories Can Become Part of a Quilt
Diane’s two quilts are a great reminder that there isn’t just one way to make a memory quilt.
You can create a quilt for:
- 💍 A wedding
- 🎓 A graduation
- 🏆 A sports career
- 👶 A new baby
- ❤️ A family member
- 🐾 A beloved pet
- ✈️ A special vacation
- 👵 A family history project
- 💕 A wedding anniversary
- 🎉 A milestone birthday
You can even combine photographs with handwritten messages, artwork, logos, embroidery, and traditional quilt fabrics.
That’s the fun of creating your own memory quilt—you get to decide what memories deserve a place in it.
Thank You, Diane!
Thank you to Diane Burnett of LaCygne, Kansas, for sharing these beautiful quilts and the stories behind them.
I especially love that both quilts were made for people Diane loves, but each one tells a completely different story.
Benjamin and Abby’s quilt captures the love and memories surrounding their wedding day.
Eli’s quilt celebrates his high school years, his accomplishments, and the people and teams that were part of that journey.
That’s what a photo quilt can do.
It takes your memories out of the photo album and turns them into something you can hold, use, display, and pass down.
And that’s exactly why I love what we do at Photo Quilt Blocks.
We print your photos on fabric for you, so you can do the fun part…QUILTING AND PRESERVING MEMORIES!
Happy Quilting!
Lori
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