Detailed view of the wavy stitch quilting done on a Janome MC6650, showing the organic texture over a heart block made from a blue plaid shirt.

Heart Memory Quilt: How I Turned Grandpa’s Old Shirts into “Love Letters”

January 9, 2026

There’s a specific kind of magic in the fabric of a well-worn shirt. It carries the scent of a person, the memory of a hug, and the history of everyday moments. After my grandfather passed away, I couldn’t bring myself to let his button-downs just sit in a closet. I wanted those memories out where we could feel them, which is exactly why I sat down to design a heart memory quilt that would do his legacy justice.

I’m so excited to share the story of the Love Letters quilt with you today.

Pattern shop

Designing the “Love Letters” Pattern

When I was sketching out the ideas for this pattern, I kept coming back to the idea of a letter you never want to finish reading. The design alternates between sweet, geometric hearts and envelope-style blocks. Using my grandpa’s cotton shirts for this was so therapeutic—every plaid, stripe, and shade of blue felt like a piece of his personality.

If you’re looking for a way to preserve someone’s memory, this pattern is a beautiful way to “send” that love forward to the next generation.

Close-up of a "Love Letter" envelope block, showcasing the precision of the pattern and the variety of striped and solid cotton fabrics used.

The completed Love Letters quilt displayed vertically, showing the repetitive pattern of hearts and envelopes created from sentimental clothing in shades of blue, grey, and plaid.

The Making Process: Keeping it Simple and Cozy

I know quilting a large project at home can feel a bit daunting, but I wanted this to be a project filled with peace, not stress. I pieced and quilted the entire thing on my Janome MC6650 using Aurifil thread.

To give it some movement without overcomplicating things, I used a simple wavy stitch. It’s my favorite “secret weapon” for domestic machine quilting—it’s forgiving, it looks modern, and it adds a lovely texture that doesn’t make the quilt feel stiff.

A corner of the heart memory quilt folded over to reveal a soft, plush blue minky backing, emphasizing the cozy and comforting weight of the blanket.

Built for the Best Kind of Hugs

Because I wanted this quilt to be the ultimate comfort object, I chose a plush blue minky for the backing. It adds that extra bit of weight and softness that makes you want to bury your face in it.

This quilt actually ended up being a huge source of peace for my family. It comforted my grandma in her final days, wrapped in the fabric of the man she spent her life with. Now that she’s gone too, it’s become our absolute favorite “couch quilt.” Every time we cuddle up with it, it feels like a hug from both of them.

The Love Letters heart memory quilt draped over the back of a neutral-colored couch, styled as a cozy home heirloom ready for cuddling.

A close-up shot of the Love Letters quilt blocks, highlighting the intricate textures of the grandfather's repurposed cotton shirts and the clean white sashing.

Make Your Own Heart Memory Quilt

If you have a bag of clothes sitting in a corner and you aren’t sure what to do with them, I truly hope this inspires you to start cutting. There is so much healing in turning “belongings” into a “keepsake.”

You can find the pattern I designed here: Love Letters Quilt Pattern. Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just starting out, this design is a gentle, meaningful way to tell a story through fabric.