About Janice Gray

My passion is creating quilts from the clothing of loved ones who’ve passed, turning fabric into something memorable and comforting.

In 2015, a friend asked me if I wanted to visit her in NC and take a t-shirt quilting class with some of her friends. Even though I had never sewn before, I jumped right in and loved it. Around that time, my boys went off to college, so I took over their playroom above the garage and began a new adventure with quilting. After a couple of years making t-shirt and baby quilts, I wanted more.

When my father passed, I created a quilt for my sister using his shirts. I fell in love with the creative process of sorting his clothes by colors and patterns, deconstructing his shirts to discover how much fabric I had to work with, creating patterns and selecting fabrics to tie the project together. As a bonus, I got to spend hours and hours enjoying memories of Daddy. That’s how my passion for making Loved One’s quilts started. 

When I receive bags of clothing, I pour them on the floor and get to know the loved one’s personality. By the time I’ve finished each quilt, I feel a bond with that quilt that is hard to describe whether I knew the deceased before or not. I feel I know them better in an abstract personal way. 

When someone receives their quilt, they find it comforting. It is like getting a big hug. I hope their quilt inspires them to share stories, smile through tears and enjoy their special memories with others. And when others see my quilts, I hope it speaks to them about love, loss and a connection to this thing called Life.

Artwork examples