Kootenay Custom Quilting ...making memories last more than a lifetime

As a passionate quilt lover (thanks grandma) I had been collecting t-shirts for the past 25+ years in hopes of one day having quilts made out of them. After my kids all flew the coop I decided to search for a quilt maker. I had to research for a very long time to find Rita, other quilters did not want to commit to the task I was asking for.I brought my boxes and boxes of t-shirts over, laid them all over her house and explained in great detail what I was looking for. One by one, Rita built them for me. I had a nostalgic quilt with some of my favorite t-shirts from high school, I had a quilt made out of all the country and western band t-shirts I collected going to all the concerts (this one turned out to be one of the largest quilts Rita has ever made at the time, so she told me), and many more.The detail and thought she put into each one was beyond what I could have imagined. Her workmanship was impeccable! She gave me a timeline for each one and was on time or even early on some of them.I have them displayed all over my home. The big one is used on my guest room bed and everyone who sees it has to tell me how beautiful it is. If you are looking for a quilt maker every stitch Rita sews is beautiful you will not be disappointed!

I had a quilt made from T-shirts and am impressed with how durable it is. Rita was very clear in communication and I had no issues at all. High quality work. Reccomended.

Sadly, I lost my mom unexpectedly in 2017, and being a seamstress, she had a lot of materials and fabric that I did not want to see going to waste. My sister and I decided to donate it. I called Rita and offered it to her, as I knew she would either use or find a home for it all and we felt good about the fact that we could share this gift from my mom.Not realizing it when we donated the many boxes, my mom had some pieces of her Wedding Dress tucked within this fabric, and when Rita found it, she reached out to my partner and made a suggestion as a surprise to me as she knew how devastated I was at the sudden loss. My partner was all in and managed to find for Rita what she needed to complete this memory quilt for me.Little did I know that Rita took this fabric which contained the bodice and beading that my grandmother had done in 1952 when she made this dress for her oldest daughter (my mom) to get married in. From my moms wedding photo, Rita recreated her wedding dress into a memory quilt, using this fabric and beading, along with the photo, my moms name, date of wedding and vows.When she presented this to me, the tears flowed as I was so surprised and touched by not only her thoughtfulness, but her skills, her workmanship, her imagination and the time and love she put into making this for me. It is on my wall and is one of my most treasured possessions.Forever grateful to have this piece of my mom with me daily. Thank you Rita.Trish

When you lose a loved one, all you want is to feel their loving arms around you. Rita’s wonderful memory quilts give you that feeling. Rita understands your grief and puts her love into every quilt she makes.The comfort they bring when you wrap yourself in your quilt made from your loved ones favourite clothes is priceless. Nothing can replace the loss of a loved one but finding comfort in the warmth of a personal item helps ease the pain of loss.The quilts are made with such quality they will become a family heirloom to cherish for years to come. I would recommend Rita’s quilts to everyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. I cannot express in words how much comfort our quilts have brought to my family. You are the best!

Rita was very gracious and did not seem too overwhelmed when I showed up at her house with 3 full boxes of clothes from my late husband. That was in December 2016. I asked her if she could make 3 memory pillows, 2 small lap and 1 large lap blanket. I didn’t need them until December 2017. I hoped that was plenty of time.Her work is very involved and I had pictures to be added to each. Later thinking about it, I think I was in the fog as my husband has just passed in November 2016.I received the final order as promised:- Two pillows I took to California where 2 of our daughters live. They were so happy. Needless to say, there were lots of tears.- The other pillow went to my only grandchild with a picture of him and his Papa. He will later learn to love it as he was only 3 yrs old.- The lap blankets were for me and our 2 children that live close to me. Their blankets were made from their dads everyday clothes as that is how they would have remembered him. Again lots of tears.- My blanket was made from his “cruise wear”. We loved to cruise! I miss him so much but I see him every day as the blanket stays on my bed.Rita you do amazing work and thank you. What you made for all of us will be cherished for many years.

Rita is awesome!!! Our 19 year-old son passed away in 2017 and it took me 3 years to find the courage to approach Rita about making a memory quilt out of his t-shirts and swim trunks. I was quite emotional when I went through our son’s stuff with Rita but she was very gentle and asked the right questions. When the quilt was done, I was overwhelmed and stunned by the beauty of it. Rita laid out the old t-shirts and trunks nicely making them beautiful again. She also sewed in cheer and water polo symbols, sports our son played. Rita not only provided excellent care and quality workmanship but also recognized the emotional reward her quilt will give us.

Rita made two quilts for me to gift to my dad and brother. They are OUTSTANDING! I can't imagine a better, more comforting item to keep my mom's memory alive! Thank you so so much!!

Rita created two beautifully quilted throws for our grandsons. We took Canucks and Flames fabrics to her and she put them together as reversible throws. The throws are now one of a kind items in the UK and will keep our boys cozy for years to come. Thank you, Rita!