American quilts have always reflected our diverse heritage, from the simple and refined quilts of Amish communities to the crazy patchwork quilts of early settlers. Before many states kept census records, women wrote the births and deaths of family members onto quilt squares with indelible ink, then sewed them into quilts. Today, quilting continues to be a creative expression of community and personal history. You can honor your own clan by creating a quilt that reflects the personalities and passions of each family member. Our quilt project is a collaborative one in which you ask each family member, young and old, to contribute a square. The quilt can be a beautiful testament to your family when hung on a wall in your home and also makes a lovely gift to commemorate an event, such as a big wedding anniversary.

If no one in your family sews, you can hire a professional seamstress to turn your patches into a quilt. Ask for a recommendation from your local fabric store (prices can range from $10 to $15 an hour, depending on where you live) or, better yet, find out if the shop offers a quilting workshop you could sign up for.

MATERIALS

Paper and pencil

Four squares of prewashed, unbleached muslin per participant, cut to size

Material of your choice for decorating each square, such as fabric paint or embroidery thread

Cotton border, backing, and, if preferred, sashing, cut to size

Cotton batting, cut to size

Sewing supplies

1. Decide how many family members you want to include in your quilt, remembering that each person will create one square. Now sketch out your quilt to see what size and shape it will be (we used 10-inch squares). A simple patchwork pattern in a rectangle or square is easiest.

2. Ask each participant to design one quilt square that symbolizes something special about your family, such as pictures of people, pets, houses, proverbs, family treasures, special events or cultural symbols. Be sure to clearly outline the scope of the project, your goals, and your deadlines. (If your family doesn't all live nearby, this is most easily accomplished in a group letter or by e-mail.)

3. Give each participant four blank quilt squares, assuring them that you need only one to be finished and returned; the remaining squares are extras for practice or mistakes. You can also give them suggestions for techniques that can be used, from appliqué to photograph reproductions. (See Techniques for Quilt Squares below.)

4. When your quilt squares are all in hand, it is time to arrange them, choose a border, backing fabric, and sashing that complements them, and start to quilt.

TESTER'S TIPS: This is a project that thrills the more artistic members of your family. If someone feels intimidated, though, remind her that she can choose a photograph and do a photo transfer at a copy shop. For the printed fabrics on the quilt, consider using materials of importance to your family, such as old clothes, receiving blankets or tablecloths.

TECHNIQUES FOR QUILT SQUARES

• If you have a favorite family saying or proverb, you can stitch it with embroidery thread onto a muslin square backed with a cross-stitch grid (called aida cloth) to keep your lines straight. The thread and cloth are available at craft stores.

• To make a fabric design, try this shortcut appliqué method. Simply cut the shapes you need from both boldly colored fabric and double-stick fusible webbing (available at sewing stores). Then iron the fabric over the webbing onto the larger square. A few embroidery stitches along the edges secure it in place.

• A favorite photo of the family or a pet can be enlarged and photo-transferred onto a muslin square, a service available at most copy shops.

• Try representing one of your family's passions--such as music, sports or travel--with large graphic symbols. Just cut pieces of felt and fabric-glue them to the muslin square.

• Kids' artwork makes a nice touch in a family quilt. Have a child draw something, such as a family portrait, first in pencil on a muslin square, then color it with fabric markers, available at craft stores.

• To show your ethnic heritage, you can include a flag of your country of origin. Fabric paints, which are available at craft stores, work best when there are large areas of one color and not much detail.