Fonts for Quilting Text

Here are some of my favorite fonts to use when quilting text.  When we write text on our quilt and use it on our quilt top or in place of quilting it is called free-hand machine embroidery.
Depending on the font,  I will use a zig-zag stitch for a calligraphy effect, OR, I will use a thick thread (12wt) and just a straight stitch.   Both options are done free-motion with a darning foot.

 (click photo to zoom-in/closeup) 

So what does one look for when choosing a font for text quilting?  What aspects of a font make for an ideal free-hand machine embroidery?

• 1. The lines that make up the font are a similar width.   

It's difficult for us to recreate with thread the various widths made with a calligraphy pen or marker  We can use a wide zigzag stitch and by pretending your quilt is the paper, and your needle is the "PEN," we can give somewhat of a calligraphy effect, but it will NOT be the same as what is on the font.  If you do the zigzag stitch then that is just your creative vision.  So it's still best to just choose a font that uses the same width throughout the font.

• 2.  There are not many stops and starts,  

It's unlikely you'll find a font in which the letters are all attached.  For machine quilting, we want as FEW stops and starts, (or KNOTS) as possible.   Just keep this in mind when choosing a font.

• 3.  Simple is best.  

Some of the most beautiful fonts include lots of curly-Q's and beautiful decorative swirls and whirls.  But that's not really going to look best when transferred to thread on your quilt.   Plus it's a pain in the butt!  So we should look for a font that is SIMPLY beautiful.


Here are some examples of text in my past quilts:

4 memorial quilts I made using this gentleman's clothing, Ford fabric, and photos.  Each quilt contained "sayings" and nicknames in the borders.  Each of the sayings were unique to the quilt's recipients (the 4 siblings.)  The borders were done with a 12 wt thread and straight stitch.  The center/middle section that contained the name was done with a zigzag stitch.  

Here's a link to the thread I used on amazon:  

Konfetti Thread, Navy

For this quilt I wanted the initials to look like a monogram.  I used an extra wide zigzag stitch.  

The text on both of these quilts were  done with a medium zigzag stitch

for this advent calendar I used a 12wt thread by wonderfil called "spaghetti"

Here's a link to the thread I used on amazon: Spagetti Thread, Eggplant

Since the name on this child's clothing quilt was somewhat large, I decided to use a font that looked more juvenile.   I would typically stick to cursive but I like the way this turned out.  It was worth the extra knots.  

For Isabella's clothing quilt, I wanted something that looked more modern and elegant.  Again worth the extra knots ;c)  

I include free personalization with all of my T-shirt quilts.  

I DO want to do a tutorial on how to actually do the text on the quilt.   Stay tuned for that sometime in the near future!! 

"Girly"-themed Quilt for Shauna

This quilt was a gift for a dear sweet customer - She has been toying with this idea for almost a year now, and we nailed down a pattern (after much back and forth) and here is the final result!!

It was fun getting to design an applique quilt from scratch.   Of course I couldn't make it just a normal sashed applique quilt!  I made the blocks "framed" and TILTED.   (gluten for punishment I guess) But doesn't it look great??   Such fun bold colors, and just perfect.

Here are all the fabrics that we chose for this quilt.   

 Photos of the finished quilt!  

 a phtoo of the back -

 Here are some closeups of the quilting.  

 For the white areas I did my version of McTavishing. . . ORRR..  S's and Comets (because I think thats what they look like, and S stand for SHAUNA!)     Shauna is a big fan of chocolate chip cookies, and although a challenge, I found a way to include that next to her name ;c)

 I quilted straight lines in the background areas of the blocks, and I left the "frames" empty, because they poofed up and looked cute that way.   For the center black frame, I did a large half feather.  For the colored inner frame, I did a checkerboard.

The appliques incluce a female silhouette, high heel, flowy dress, pearl necklace, lipstick, perfume, purse, diamond ring, iphone, martini glass, and sunglasses.  

New Baby Clothes Quilt!

 This might be my favorite baby clothes quilt yet!   Just look at all of the details and fun stuff that is included.  There are 3D elements such as butterflies with moveable wings.  There are several bibs that seem to jump off the quilt, and even a santa hat.  The Disney costumes/dresses/tutus were cut using the skirts left full. So that the skirt area could flow freely or be moved by your hand.
I added a soft little bootie, kept all of the buttons and original areas that I possibly could, There's even a HAIRBOW.  And to top it all off, I embroidered the name in the center with a pretty curly font!

a photo of the completed quilt TOP 

. . . andddd the finished quilt! 

 a peek at the back!


If you would like to order your own custom T-quilt made of baby clothes.  Please email me at KatiesQuiltsAndCrafts@gmail.com

Here is my price list 

Here is the photo album that contains all of my previous T-quilts.  

Memory Quilt from drawings

I've been making quilts for a Private School for several years now.  I SO enjoy making these.  

What we do is I send the cut squares to the school, and the students fill them out, based on a certain "theme" and then send them back to me to be made into a quilt. 

You can see past quilts here

and here 

Here is the completed top, and then the completed quilt. . quilted.  

These quilts are panels that will be added to the original quilt that was made - because extra students were added and they needed to be included in teh graduation ceremony.  

To order your own custom memory quilt - please send me an email at: KatiesQuiltsAndCrafts@gmail.com

Photos of past memory quilts 

My price List 

Joyce's T-shirt Quilt & Quilted Tote

For Joyce, I made a T-quilt AND a quilted tote.  The shirts used were those of her and her brothers and sisters and would be a Christmas gift for her mother.  

Here is the completed quilt top 

 And the completed QUILT!

 Closeup of the quilt - I framed the shirt that said "world's greatest mom" so it would stand out.

 I used the red and yellow matching shirts for the tote bag.  I used a light blue cotton fabric for the inside.

 Closeup of the quilting -

 To order your own custom T-quilt please email me here:  KatiesQuiltsAndCrafts@gmail.com

Here is my price list

Here is the link to the photo album that contains all of my previous T-quilts.  

Baby Joey's clothing quilt.

I've been making quilts for Beth and her family for awhile now.   The quilt I made for her 1st son, HERE, was the very first baby clothes quilt I had ever made.   I enjoy these quilts with all the small pieces so much - I'm forever grateful to Beth for getting this started for me.

Here is the quilt for her 2nd son Joey.  Both quilts are twin size.  This is all of the articles of clothing laid out before graphing.

And the finished quilt!  

 I rushed to get a pic of this quilt outside, and it was right as the sun was setting.   We only had a couple horus of sunshine in the whole month of December so I took what I could get! ;c)

and a peek at the back!

To order your own custom T-quilt or quilt made of baby clothes - please email me at KatiesQuiltsAndCrafts@gmail.com

Here is my price list 

Here is the photo album of all of my past T-quilts.  

Bridget's Baby Clothes Quilt

I just love the way this one turned out!  Bridget is a sweet local girl who let me make her a T-quilt out of her son's baby clothes.   Look at all of the adorable faux tie onesies!!!   She had such super cute little outfits and it made this quilt just perfect.   

Here are all of her items tentatively laid out before graphing.  

Here is her finished quilt!  

 I embroidered her son's name in a center block.  I picked this font randomly but I think it turned out so good - I'll definitely be using this one again!

 A peek at the back!

To order your own custom T-quilt or quilt made of baby's clothes, email me here:  KatiesQuiltsandCrafts@gmail.com

click HERE for my price list 

click HERE for photos of all of my quilts. 

Ang's Quilt

I was SO happy and excited to get to make a quilt for my dear friend Ang!  The theme of her shirts was all of the places she has worked.  There were many small pieces and all of the items were so coloful, this really didn't take much work from me! This quilt MADE itself ;c)  I love the puzzle look of how her quilt turned out. There are so many small pieces and little fun logos that give her quilt so much interest and fun! 

Here is Ang's quilt laid out before graphing.  

And here are some photos of her finished quilt!  

 The weather actually cooperated for me on this day ;c)

 Thank you so much Ang!!!

Please send me a message if you are interested in a custom Tquilt.  KatiesQuiltsandCrafts@gmail.com
Photos of all the quilts I have made can be found on my facebook page
Click HERE for price list.