The Camp Quilt

My client Beth has been going to Camp Oconto since she was a child, and later became a staff member there. Over the years, she became known for buying any and all camp clothing that was offered — T-shirts, sweatpants, a rugby polo, even a couple of baseball hats. By the time she reached out to me, she had been accumulating pieces for a couple decades, each one tied to a different memory of summers spent by the lake, friendships formed, and moments that shaped her.

When we began designing her quilt, we went back and forth between purple and black for the sashing and borders. I mocked up both options (and even asked ChatGPT to help visualize them — I’ll share that photo too!). In the end, we realized that because there were already so many shades of purple throughout the garments, a plain black frame would tie everything together beautifully. It gives the quilt such a clean, cohesive look, and I’m so happy we went in that direction.

Clothing can hold such deep meaning — it connects us back to times and places that shaped who we are. We see ourselves in old photos wearing it, and we remember how we felt in that moment. Being able to take all of those pieces and sew them together into one quilt feels incredibly special. It gives the clothing a second life, and turns a collection of memories into something that can be used and loved for years to come.

Beth at Camp Oconto

As someone who also grew up as a camp girl, I especially connected with this project. I spent my own summers at camp and was a counsellor for three years, so I know firsthand how those camp memories stay with you forever — the friendships, the traditions, the laughter, and the sense of belonging. Working on Beth’s quilt brought all of that nostalgia rushing back.

For the finishing touch, Beth decided she wanted her quilt to be longarmed, which I happily outsourced. That’s what gives it those beautiful, consistent stitching lines you’ll see throughout — the perfect detail to complement the story woven into each piece of fabric.

Projects like this remind me why I love what I do — creating something that’s both beautiful and meaningful, made up of pieces that tell a story only the owner truly knows.

If you’ve been holding onto your own pile of sentimental clothing, I’d love to help you turn it into something you can enjoy every day.

Here’s Beth with her quilt!