LDS temple quilts are a cherished tradition for many families, serving as both beautiful home decor and meaningful keepsakes of spiritual milestones. Whether you are looking to commemorate a wedding, a sealing, or a dedication, these quilts offer a unique way to celebrate faith. This guide provides a comprehensive look at how to find finished temple quilts, where to locate high-quality patterns, and how to choose the right design for your needs.
The Significance of Temple Quilts
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temples represent the most sacred places on earth. They are symbols of eternal families and personal devotion. Incorporating these architectural designs into a quilt allows individuals to bring that sense of peace and sanctity into their homes.
These quilts are frequently given as gifts for special occasions. A handmade quilt featuring a specific temple where a couple was married is a common wedding present. Similarly, smaller versions are often created for children or as wall hangings to serve as a visual reminder of spiritual goals.
Finding Finished Temple Quilts for Sale
If you are not a quilter yourself, purchasing a finished quilt is the most direct way to acquire one. Because these are specialized items, you may not find them in general department stores. Instead, you will need to look at niche markets and individual artisans.
Online Artisan Marketplaces
Platforms like Etsy are the primary source for finished temple quilts. Many skilled quilters take custom orders, allowing you to select the specific temple, color scheme, and size. When browsing these sites, use specific search terms like “LDS temple quilt” or the name of a specific temple, such as “Salt Lake Temple quilt.”
Specialty LDS Gift Shops
Many independent retailers located near major temple sites or in areas with high church populations carry religious-themed home goods. These shops often partner with local crafters to sell one-of-a-kind quilted items. Checking the inventory of online LDS bookstores and gift shops can also reveal seasonal or limited-edition quilt collections.
Local Craft Fairs and Quilt Guilds
In communities with many church members, local craft fairs are excellent places to find handmade temple quilts. You can also contact local quilt guilds. Many members of these guilds specialize in religious iconography and may be available for commission work.
Locating and Choosing Quilting Patterns
For those who enjoy sewing, creating your own temple quilt is a rewarding project. Finding the right pattern is the first step in this journey. Patterns vary significantly in difficulty, ranging from simple silhouettes to highly detailed architectural renderings.
Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) Patterns
Foundation paper piecing is the most popular method for creating temple quilts. This technique allows for extreme precision, which is necessary to capture the intricate spires and windows of temple architecture. Many designers sell digital PDF patterns that you can print at home and use immediately.
- Pros: High level of detail and professional-looking results.
- Cons: Can be challenging for absolute beginners who are unfamiliar with paper piecing.
Appliqué Patterns
Appliqué involves sewing a temple-shaped piece of fabric onto a larger background. This is often a faster method than piecing and works well for more stylized or modern designs. You can find patterns that use fusible web for a “no-sew” or raw-edge look, or more traditional needle-turn patterns.
Machine Embroidery Designs
If you own an embroidery machine, you can purchase digital files that stitch the temple design directly onto your fabric. This is an excellent option for making smaller items like quilt labels, pillows, or the center blocks of a larger quilt.
Popular Temple Designs for Quilters
While patterns exist for many of the more than 300 temples worldwide, some designs are more common than others. The architectural style of the temple often dictates how easy it is to find a corresponding pattern.
The Salt Lake Temple
As one of the most iconic symbols of the faith, the Salt Lake Temple is the most widely available design. You can find everything from complex six-spire patterns to simplified minimalist outlines.
The Nauvoo Temple
Known for its historical significance and beautiful sunstones, the Nauvoo Temple is a favorite for traditional-style quilts. Its rectangular shape makes it slightly easier to piece than some of the more modern, angular temples.
Modern Temple Designs
Many newer temples feature sleek, contemporary lines. These are often easier to recreate using standard quilting techniques. Designers are constantly releasing new patterns as new temples are announced and dedicated around the world.
Tips for Customizing Your Quilt
One of the benefits of making or commissioning a quilt is the ability to personalize it. Personalization makes the item a true family heirloom that can be passed down through generations.
- Color Palette: While many choose white or cream to represent the temple’s purity, you can use colors that match the recipient’s home or the wedding colors of a couple.
- Embroidery: Adding the name of the temple, a family name, or a specific date (like a wedding or dedication date) adds a personal touch.
- Fabric Choice: Consider using “scraps” from significant clothing, such as a piece of a wedding dress or a shirt worn on a mission, to incorporate more meaning into the quilt blocks.
Caring for Your Temple Quilt
Because these quilts are often intended to be heirlooms, proper care is essential. How you care for the quilt depends on whether it is a functional bed cover or a decorative wall hanging.
Washing Instructions
Always use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent. If the quilt features many dark and light fabrics (like a dark blue sky behind a white temple), use “color catcher” sheets in the wash to prevent bleeding. Air drying is always safer than using a high-heat dryer setting.
Displaying Wall Hangings
If you are hanging your quilt, ensure it is not in direct sunlight, as UV rays will fade the fabric over time. Use a quilt sleeve and a sturdy rod to distribute the weight evenly and prevent the fabric from stretching or tearing.
Conclusion
LDS temple quilts serve as a beautiful intersection of art, craft, and faith. Whether you choose to purchase a finished masterpiece from a skilled artisan or embark on the journey of sewing your own from a pattern, the result is a powerful symbol of devotion. By selecting the right design and caring for the finished product, you can create a lasting legacy for your family. If you enjoyed learning about these meaningful textiles, explore our other articles on home crafts and spiritual gift ideas to find more inspiration for your next project.