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Quilting With Your Grandchildren’s Handprints

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Not only do quilts keep us snug and warm, but they also have a way of wrapping our hearts in warm emotions.

This special memory quilt was created by my sister in anticipation of my parents’ upcoming 45th wedding anniversary.  Using the handprints of each grandchild, she pieced together a gift that was both nostalgic and unique.  Needless to say, my parents were thrilled with this gesture of love.

The following guidelines and hints can be used to create a similar quilt:

• pre-wash muslin or white cotton before cutting into squares; cut extra squares in case of mistakes
  
  
• Size of each block: 10" x 8 1/2"
  
  
• Completed quilt: 48" x 48"
  
  
• with a permanent fabric pen, have grandchild print his/her name, if capable, near the bottom of a square
  
  
• choose acrylic paint colors for handprints; e.g. blue and green for boys and pink for girls
  
  
• mix acrylic paint (2 parts) with textile medium (1 part); this medium transforms the acrylic paint into a washable fabric paint
  
  
• brush paint onto the hands of the grandchildren and place the handprints on the muslin; younger children can use both hands while older ones may only be able to fit one handprint on the square
  
  
• grandparents’ names, wedding date and Bible verse (perhaps wedding text) can be printed/painted on separate squares
  
  
• the verse could be changed from, “Lo, children are a heritage from the Lord…” to “Lo, (grand)children are a heritage from the Lord.”
  
  
• allow pieces to dry for seven days; then heat-set
  
  
• stitch around the outline of each handprint as well as the child’s name
  
  
• machine piece and hand quilt as necessary

As you stitch a similar quilt, you will have plenty of opportunity to think and pray about the children who are represented by each handprint.  May you also catch a glimpse of the heartbeat of our Creator, the Master Quilter, who so lovingly designs our lives using His perfect pattern.  Happy quilting as you craft this heirloom which testifies to God’s faithfulness throughout the generations.

* If quilting is not your thing, this idea could also be done very nicely on poster board.

Related Reading:
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Anne Feenstra has been married for 20 years and has home schooled all four of her children. She has lead several bible study programs in her church and enjoys Creative Memories scrapbooking, cooking, entertaining and using their home for hospitality. Anne is responsible for the Effective Grandparenting articles on this website.