Top 5 Clothing Items That Make the Coziest Quilts
We’re nearly a month into 2026––it’s hard to believe, but it’s true! New year’s resolutions may have already begun to fade, but those of us who are still determined to make 2026 bolder and brighter than ever are still looking for how to keep the fresh start rolling.
In our last blog, we looked at how decluttering our homes can give us a refreshing start to 2026 or a reinvigoration of new energy at any point in the year. So, as we bring some of that inspiration forward, you may now have large collections of clothes you’re looking to donate or upcycle into your next memory quilt. The question now becomes, what items should I add to my quilt? What will create the coziest keepsake possible?
Today, we’re bringing you the answers to those questions. Let’s take a look at the top 5 clothing items you may have collected from your closet that are guaranteed to make the comfiest quilt in your collection.
#1: Sweatshirts & Hoodies
Let’s start off our list with probably the most ideal pick to make your quilt as warm and cozy as possible: sweatshirts and hoodies. The thicker, softer material used to make most sweatshirts and hoodies will add extra density to your quilt, transforming an already cozy quilt into one that’s guaranteed to fight off the winter chill. In addition, many sweatshirts and hoodies––much like traditional t-shirts––will still proudly display logos and designs that reflect precious memories of school, favorite teams, fun events or other iconography you’re passionate about.
#2: Onesies & Baby Clothes
Next up, let’s bring our attention to some extremely sentimental clothing items that can often be forgotten in favor of t-shirts: onesies and other baby clothes. Because onesies are crafted to keep your children as comfy as possible, crafting a keepsake quilt out of onesies and baby clothes will guarantee some super cozy results. Onesie quilts are especially perfect for your children while they’re still young but outgrowing their clothes––probably at a pace much faster than you’d like––so that they can hold onto their earliest memories while they grow. After all, the warm memories that baby quilts bring will make you as cozy as the quilt itself!
#3: Flannels & Button-Ups
Photo: Tina L.
For the perfect intersection of comfort and durability, look no further than adding some flannels and button-ups to your quilt. Now, these clothing options may not boast the special graphic designs that some other entries on this list may have, but the intricate plaid patterns of most flannels will add variation and texture as a panel on your quilt. Adding soft and durable flannels to your quilt will also show some personality––what does that flannel mean to you, and during what moments of your life have you worn it? Patterned shirts like flannels tell a story that only you may ever know, and that makes the quilt even more special and even cozier.
#4: Special Event & Holiday Clothing
Photo: Paula K.
As mentioned with some of the other entries on this list, coziness not only comes from the material but also the memories associated with the clothing. So, nothing brings more warmth than clothing that evokes memories of very specific events. Clothing from special events and even holidays have strong connections to moments in our life that are worth celebrating, and displaying these clothes as featured blocks of a memory quilt will solidify your connection to the event or holiday. You can even build theming for a quilt entirely around one of these clothing items for a cozy seasonal or special event quilt.
#5: T-Shirts (the Classic Memory Items)
Even though we’re ranking what clothes will make your memory quilt the coziest possible, we can’t deny how cozy good ol’ t-shirts are as a part of your quilt! T-shirts may seem to be an ordinary part of your everyday wardrobe, but every t-shirt you own carries special memories with it that are worth celebrating on a quilt. For the coziest quilt possible, think about which of your shirts are the comfiest to wear and which you associate with your favorite memories? Comfort comes from the inside and out, so taking the material and the memories into consideration will certainly give you the coziest quilt you’ve ever owned.
What Are Your Favorites?
Which clothes have you used for t-shirt quilts that have been the comfiest? Or what clothes are you planning to put into your next memory quilt? We want to know what are your coziest creations, so tell us in the comments, on Instagram, on Facebook or in a review on our website!
Written by Zander Gibney.
