I checked out Goodwill here, and the men's shirts were $1-$2 each. Much less than what you had to pay. I found 12 flannels and turned them into a charity quilt with pieced batting and a bedsheet for backing. ($1.50!) also Goodwill. Such fun!!
You are lucky. I did start shopping by finding the shirts I like that were 50% off. I need to shop on Sunday because I think the color of the week is 99 cents on Sunday. I am a Thrift Shop junkie now. LOL
@@aprilscraftroom Sometimes a yard sale is a good place to pick up fabric, shirts or blouses - even linens - to use. My friend had an estate sale recently getting rid of her mother's household and she had FIVE huge totes of fabric, some dating to when my friend was a little girl, and we're both 77! Imagine those vintage fabrics!!
@@aprilscraftroomI just went to a local thrift store and found a lot of scrap cotton fabric and sheets for cheap. As I was leaving I saw two packages of star blocks complete from 1966. They had the makers name and date on the tag. I got 156 nine inch blocks for $20. I am so stoked! I'm a thrift store junkie too now lol. Never know what you can find. Happy hunting! ❤ Oh and FYI I find goodwill is more expensive than most thrift stores at least mine is.
@@kathrynhenry8719 no the thrift stores like goodwill salvation army they are $5$7 & up l rather get a yard fir that & just iron if not need wash to see if colours like red don't bleed & less labor of gutting a mans shirt l grant that you get a perk buttons if you use them & who not need few buttons. If the shirt is $1 $2 or free l'm your quilter textile artist 🕊️🫶🐦🐉🗽🇺🇲🦅 Keep Rocking the good stuff 🤗 Beautiful people
I've been watching Catbird since she started her TH-cam channel. She's a hoot and is amazing. She has a really good video on breaking down the shirts to get the most out of the fabric ✂️
I love watching The Catbird Quilts channel. Since I started watching her, I have been buying the largest men’s shirts I can find at the Humane Society Thrift store. I can get over a yard of fabric from each one. I am saving the shirts from 4:43 the landfill and giving to the Humane Society at the same time!!
Start saving their worn/ outgrown shirts now, so can do a little at a time. Believe me. Easier going that way, rather than all at once after they have passed.@@aprilscraftroom
April! This is amazing! (and what great shirts you got!! 🤩😍😊) Isn't it just mind-blowing how much fabric is in those shirts?!? Thank you for your wonderful, kind words about me, my quilts and my channel---I'm humbled and honored ❤I loved watching this video--and you! SO very glad that someone pointed me your way today! 😘❤
It is amazing the amount of fabric in a shirt. I am glad you liked the video. You have inspired me to look at other options for fabric. And now I can’t pass a thrift shop without going in. LOL
You Gals are so lucky to find such great bargains. Here in Las Vegas the thrift stores are almost as much as Walmart . Thrift store shopping used to be so much fun for me.April I love the way you make us feel like we are all friends. Thank you
I watch Cat Bird as well. I think she’s cute and inspires me to try out this as well. I look for fabric like 100% cotton sheets, table clothes as well as shirts. I like that I can get a variety of colors etc for small $. I shop Thrift shops. It’s a,so a fun day 😀
This is a great idea and very cute! Great way to keep fabric out of landfills. I am working on using my stash before buying any more fabric. Have a great day!
Welcome aboard April. I've been using clothing for quilts since I began quilting, it's fun like you showed. My mom used to tell us, Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. Up-cycling is a lot of fun. Thanks for this great video, the word needs to spread. "Preppy," I haven't heard that in a while, LOL!
I can tell it’s from shirts maybe because I also love shirt quilts. Denim is awesome for a shirt quilt. The sleeves do have a good amount of fabric, great for the 5.5” squares.
I love Catbird Quilts. She is here in Alabama so I can relate to her accent. She is very funny and informative.❤. Love your quilt, also. You are one of my favorite quilters.
I too watch The Catbird Quilts and am a collector of men's shirts. I have used this fabric in many of my quilts as I am mainly a scrap quilter. I love using scraps of all sizes and find I usually like working with 2" strips and squares. Shirts are perfect for scrappy neutral backgrounds as well as coordinating with like-colored quilting scraps! I love the your quilt! Great idea! Something like this could also be a quick backing for another quilt to make it reversible. There is sooo much fabric to be found in this world without always buying new. What a great way to utilize what is already here!
We always used old clothes to make quilts. First time I bought fabric, I thought my mom was going to drop dead. She told my grandmother and she had a fit. She took me up to the attic and showed me all old family clothes to use. Cool! We ran out of those pieces a long time ago but the memories live on. It was fun looking through the quilts to see our old childhood clothes mixed with old aunts clothes.
Karen Martin is awesome. Her new updated sew room is great. I found her when I purchased 49 mens shirts from our churches yard sale. The yardage was amazing I think 8 shirts make a quilt. I cut my shirts apart for better storage and start with biggest pieces first then I made squares and strips. Even saved yardage from yokes and wrist bands for scrappy blocks. Love this pattern. Your quilt top is awesome
I make quilts, pillows, bears and more from clothing of loved ones who have died. It is rarely 100% cotton clothing and it involves using interfacing. I feel a connection to these family members.
I've made memory quilts from shirts. I "hardest" part is cutting the shirts apart; it can be time consuming. For one set (of 3 quilts) I used all 6 1/2 inch squares and made 3 different patterns. The hidden 9 patch turned out super cute. Those squares were actually big enough to use the pockets, or pieces of them. I just sewed them closed first. I used all polo shirts for a quilt for my son-in-law. It turned out fairly heavy.
That would make a great Picnic quilt. I, also, enjoy watching Catbird quilts. Can you share a pic of the back? It sounds very pretty and perfect for this quilt.
When my husband retired I took all his dress shirts that he wore for work, cut them up and made a quilt for our grandson called “Papa’s Shirts”. I kept the pockets in the quilt.
Jo Kramer at Jo's Country Junction has a video on how she cuts up 100% cotton shirts that she buys at thrift stores. She has also made several quilts with thrifted shirts. Thanks for reminding us that we can re-use too!
Lol we go to Goodwill here in AR on Sundays because the color from the pass week is $1 and the new color is half price. And yes I have made 2 quilts from shirts and blue jeans.
Great idea - I use curtains/quilt covers from local charity shops - some make bags or clothing. You can often back 2 of your own quilts by carefully separating the top & reverse of a duvet cover. It also means softer material than new would be. My friends are often intrigued by the origins of my quilt backs, so it's a real conversation starter!
I use all the leftover fabric to make “ cat beds” that are about 13”x18” for the animal shelter. Very little of the shirt is left especially if you use the really odd shaped pieces to make “ crazy quilt “ blocks. ❤ ❤ ❤
Mention (often) at gatherings that you love fabric and enjoy making crafts & quilts from even the smallest/funkiest materials. When I get a "blink" "blink" response, I bring out my latest blocks from my 1980s rice sack tote bag...lol Large pieces of 100% cotton yardage are passed on to charity quilt project groups. My husband buys me fabric when he travels.... Yay! 🍄🍄 Great video, especially seeing your quilt top and cat cameos.
I love Catbird Quilts and I am obsessed with Goodwill / thrift store shopping for quilting fabric because of her! It has reinvigorated my passion for sewing. I buy the ones that are on sale, and I use almost EVERY part, including the cuffs and collar. It is definitely a deal.
After my husband passed I wanted to keep his shirts. I cut his shirts, some of my shirts, and some fabric into 2 1/2” strips. I was able to make the front and back of a king size quilt. I have this quilt on my bed. Warm and comfortable
I use old shirts in my quilts because you can get a lot of fabric out of a shirt. I cut the seams and remove plackets, buttons (that go in the button tin) and the collar. I love repurposing old clothes. I have pieces of my Grandma’s dresses from the 1950’s along with pieces of mine and my sibling’s childhood clothes. ❤❤
I've been using thrift store clothing for a long time .. usually not from Goodwill since they have gotten so high on clothing .. I normally don't pay over $2 for anything .. yard sales are another good source .. used "cotton" clothing makes great crumb quilts and adding machine tape fabric .. so many ways to use up what might be discarded .. thanks for the video 👍
So glad you made this video. Quilt looks nice. I’m often asked if I want to use unwanted women’s dresses and I just don’t know if the cotton would be the same weave as quilting cotton. Were all the men’s shirts 100% cotton? The plaids give it away for me being men’s shirts. I sometimes watch Catbird Quilts channel. Nice to see Oliver supervising again. At least he kept his paws and tail tucked in 😂. I get so nervous every time he tries to participate.
For those who are more used to precuts, then just cut out fat quarter sized pieces from the back of the shirts. The sleeves could be cut into jelly roll or honey bun sized strips.
Good job... I'm making quilts using up my "stash" by using "Charms on point" from MSQC...gotta sew fast at age 77... LOL I live to put a narrow solid "shasing" before adding the scrappy border... for the backing... i patch together all the leftovers... long enough,, then sew them to one side of the large backing piece... then sew the other side ... makes a big "tube"... match the seams and find the center of the tube... snip and rip the solid piece... open up and your "scrappy piece" is centered! Hope this makes sense to you... Enjoy watching you... Hugs, GrammaBabs
I agree with your idea about the narrow solid border prior to adding the scrappy border. I will turn 70 this year and it will be a miracle if I live to sew through my stash! Thank you for your ideas!
Love this, I don’t think the fabric looks like it came from shirts, not that it would be bad if it did. Love Oliver and the extra support 😂. Love your creativity and I’m really looking forward to seeing the back. I’ve wondered about trying that piecing idea for backing quilts, I remember reading about making seams off center so the quilt isn’t folded on the seam. I always roll my quilts anyway, then I stand them upright in plastic tubs (I am space challenged).
Love this quilt...My husband only ever wears check shirts..so yes I would recognize it as that.....should start saving his discards. Off to eat chocolate and quilt🥧🍩
I used this pattern to make my granddaughter a quilt. It is queen size. Trying to keep the same fabric from touching was a bear and not doable. I am so happy with it. She is 15 months old, and I am 75. The quilt is done in fabric that will be good for her now and as she grows. Loved seeing it in the shirt fabric. I always enjoy your tutorials.
Thank you for showing this, I went over and downloaded right after watching. Oh my what a way to dig into scraps! Thanks again for always inspiring us. Love your ideas and videos, and of course some of those cute Oliver shots. Give him a pat! Happy Quilting!
I started following Cathy Martin @The Catbird Quilts several years ago and have accumulated around 100 shirts. My next quilt will be with the shirts I've reclaimed from our local thrift store. I've been searching for the right pattern to use up those shirts. I like your pattern, it's simple and appears to be fairly fast. Thanks for the idea. By the way, I collect the buttons from those shirts in antique mason jars. They really jazz up the look in my sewing area. I'll probably never use them for anything other than decor.
Hi! Months later and I’m just now finding you comment. I too have been collecting shirts..long before the now famous Catbird Quilts😂. I’m a traditional quilter so I lean in that direction. My favorite of all time quilt for men’s shirts is “Thousand Pyramid”. Saw this in old quilt magazines from my mom in the 1980’s. Yes shirts have been used forever to make quilts. Look up Mary Fon’s book “Make+Love Quilts” there is a “1000 pyramid quilt” that is out of this world. Also “Revelation Quilts” on TH-cam did two great quilts using shirts! ❤ Happy sewing! (KH)
I watch Catbird too! I've been working on a quilt for my son using shirts too. It's definitely a labor of love,and it's been satisfying turning shirts into fabric, into a quilt. I do wash them first in hot water before breaking them down. Looking forward to your finished project 🎉
What a great idea! My niece is going to give me her recently deceased Dads shirts, and I may use this pattern. But my cousin, her Dad was very small, so I hope she has a lot of shirts!
i LOVE the goodwill, i dont buy shirts (well cause im lazy lol) but i do buy queen and king flat sheets and if the print is really cute i will grab a smaller size, i figured as long as i gave them a good wash with sanitizer i would be okay using them in a quilt, another great video, thank you so much
It's Thrifty, my mother taught me stuff like that. I have used a few shirts and "other" fabrics from Goodwill myself. No one knows unless you tell. 😂 🥰😍🤩 Didn't I see a video of you using Race car T shirts to make a quilt? I'm going hunting lol. As always love your stuff!
I stumbled on your show and did enjoy it. I love your sewing room, (I love sewing room tours too). But the one thing that I really loved on your show is your cat and her/his napping shelf. It made me laugh out loud! I have a cat and she is my sewing partner too! :)
I just got back from visiting my favorite resale shop. I got 11 XXL men’s shirts for $3.00 ea. they were starched and ironed and in excellent condition. Colors were from avocado, black, aqua, dark rose pink, I also got checks & plaid. WOW can’t wait to chop them up. LOL. ❤
I love the fact you’re not afraid to tackle any type of project. The quilt turned out cute. Great color choices…but I’d be curious to hear how much time you put in it. Mind blowing how much fabric really is used in a 2XL shirt. Have a most wonderful week Miss April. Hope ya had a great time at the embroidery retreat…looking forward to hearing all about it. 🤗🤗
Hi Debbie. I did. Have fun at the retreat. Missed the opportunity to eat all that good food at Di’s retreat though. It didn’t take that long to make the quilt. Once I got the backs cut out of the shirts it was like using. Fat quarter.
@@aprilscraftroom you do know you’re going to make me go and look for shirts in the thrift store now Miss April. 🤷🏼♀️😝 glad you had fun at your retreat but it will sure be nice to see you at Miss Di’s retreat some day. I was so proud of myself having Miss Tracy at our retreat…I tried really hard not to “fangirl” too much. 😆 It was such a pleasure having her here. 🤗 I look so forward to meeting you…then my 3 Amigas will be complete. Wahoo
I cut squares ftom the shirt front that include the pockets and use those squares for borders when making memory quilts. The receiver can then put memory items in the pockets.
My first quilt was made from my husband’s old dress shirts when he lost much weight. I wanted to try to make a quilt without spending a fortune on all the materials and supplies (like the fabric stash I have now lol). It came out awesome and he love it. Amazing how much fabric is in those xxl shirts. Now he’s much more fit so win win. Love your quilt and enjoy your video. I watch the cat bird quilt videos also.
April I haven't read all the comments but so this may have been said. Bonnie Hunter does an excellent video on taking apart a shirt that gives an amazing an amount of usable fabric.
This is a fabulous idea! I now know what to do with my scraps leftover from shirts when making my "vanity bibs"! Also, I discovered the solution to when your backing is not big enough, cut backing into 4 large triangles and sew back together with sashing strips to get the right dimensions. That was a learning curve. Thanks for sharing your craft, have a wonderful day 🤩
O Sis! You did a great job with this pattern. This pattern would be great with charm packs and layer cakes as well you would just have to forget about that 1/2 inch thing. I’ve been following Cathy at The CatBird Quilts for a long time and I’ve also used men’s & women’s shirts to make a quilt. Cannot wait to see what you do with the back. Sew On!
I go to the Goodwill bins. All the items not sold in the stores goes to the bin stores where you pay by weight. I get mens cotton dress and flannel shirts. Last haul was a garbage bag size bag full for $17, Great video!!!
So cute ❤I love using men's shirts in crafts you can use them in purse making too lol. Such a cool idea you can even throw in a band tshirt here and there to really give it that 90s vibe.
I go to goodwill or garage sales and buy sheets and tablecloths and use them for quilts. I use the sheets for backing and boarders, and the tablecloths for binding
My Aunt who was a very old fashioned quilter, everything by hand, never bought any fabric. She saved clothes from all the family and made the most amazing quilts. Your quilt is stunning!
I checked out Goodwill here, and the men's shirts were $1-$2 each. Much less than what you had to pay. I found 12 flannels and turned them into a charity quilt with pieced batting and a bedsheet for backing. ($1.50!) also Goodwill. Such fun!!
You are lucky. I did start shopping by finding the shirts I like that were 50% off. I need to shop on Sunday because I think the color of the week is 99 cents on Sunday. I am a Thrift Shop junkie now. LOL
@@aprilscraftroom Sometimes a yard sale is a good place to pick up fabric, shirts or blouses - even linens - to use. My friend had an estate sale recently getting rid of her mother's household and she had FIVE huge totes of fabric, some dating to when my friend was a little girl, and we're both 77! Imagine those vintage fabrics!!
@@aprilscraftroomI just went to a local thrift store and found a lot of scrap cotton fabric and sheets for cheap. As I was leaving I saw two packages of star blocks complete from 1966. They had the makers name and date on the tag. I got 156 nine inch blocks for $20. I am so stoked! I'm a thrift store junkie too now lol. Never know what you can find. Happy hunting! ❤ Oh and FYI I find goodwill is more expensive than most thrift stores at least mine is.
@@kathrynhenry8719 no the thrift stores like goodwill salvation army they are $5$7 & up l rather get a yard fir that & just iron if not need wash to see if colours like red don't bleed & less labor of gutting a mans shirt l grant that you get a perk buttons if you use them & who not need few buttons.
If the shirt is $1 $2 or free l'm your quilter textile artist 🕊️🫶🐦🐉🗽🇺🇲🦅
Keep Rocking the good stuff 🤗 Beautiful people
@@kathyhenry6467Oh my gosh..I would have been hyper ventilating to score those totes of fabric!
I've been watching Catbird since she started her TH-cam channel. She's a hoot and is amazing. She has a really good video on breaking down the shirts to get the most out of the fabric ✂️
Me too. She is lovely.
I love watching The Catbird Quilts channel. Since I started watching her, I have been buying the largest men’s shirts I can find at the Humane
Society Thrift store. I can get over a yard of fabric from each one. I am saving the shirts from 4:43 the landfill and giving to the Humane Society at the same time!!
This sort of shirt quilt could make a wonderful, loving memory quilt, too, of someone's loved one who has passed on.
i made a quilt for my daughter in law out of her grandma's dresses.you're right, it was wonderful. good idea
I agree. I collected my father-in-laws shirts for that purpose. Although I’ve seen memory bears that are cute too.
Thank you. I hope to make something for ymy husband. His sister and his brother out of their dad’s shirts.
Start saving their worn/ outgrown shirts now, so can do a little at a time. Believe me. Easier going that way, rather than all at once after they have passed.@@aprilscraftroom
April! This is amazing! (and what great shirts you got!! 🤩😍😊) Isn't it just mind-blowing how much fabric is in those shirts?!? Thank you for your wonderful, kind words about me, my quilts and my channel---I'm humbled and honored ❤I loved watching this video--and you! SO very glad that someone pointed me your way today! 😘❤
It is amazing the amount of fabric in a shirt. I am glad you liked the video. You have inspired me to look at other options for fabric. And now I can’t pass a thrift shop without going in. LOL
You Gals are so lucky to find such great bargains. Here in Las Vegas the thrift stores are almost as much as Walmart . Thrift store shopping used to be so much fun for me.April I love the way you make us feel like we are all friends.
Thank you
I dont know about your GW but here in SC they have .50 days and thats a great time to pick up cotton dress shirts
Oh my word April!!! I love your new backdrop on your video🤩
❤️
I watch Cat Bird as well. I think she’s cute and inspires me to try out this as well. I look for fabric like 100% cotton sheets, table clothes as well as shirts. I like that I can get a variety of colors etc for small $. I shop Thrift shops. It’s a,so a fun day 😀
Me too
This is a great idea and very cute! Great way to keep fabric out of landfills. I am working on using my stash before buying any more fabric. Have a great day!
Bonnie Hunter has a very good video on de-boning shirts. A lot of yardage in those shirts.
Welcome aboard April. I've been using clothing for quilts since I began quilting, it's fun like you showed. My mom used to tell us, Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. Up-cycling is a lot of fun. Thanks for this great video, the word needs to spread. "Preppy," I haven't heard that in a while, LOL!
I can tell it’s from shirts maybe because I also love shirt quilts. Denim is awesome for a shirt quilt. The sleeves do have a good amount of fabric, great for the 5.5” squares.
I laughed out loud watching you provide Oliver "extra support". Very nice quilt top. Thank you for sharing!
Love watching Catbird quilts as well. Beautiful quilts top.
Me too!
I love Catbird Quilts. She is here in Alabama so I can relate to her accent. She is very funny and informative.❤. Love your quilt, also. You are one of my favorite quilters.
I too watch The Catbird Quilts and am a collector of men's shirts. I have used this fabric in many of my quilts as I am mainly a scrap quilter. I love using scraps of all sizes and find I usually like working with 2" strips and squares. Shirts are perfect for scrappy neutral backgrounds as well as coordinating with like-colored quilting scraps! I love the your quilt! Great idea! Something like this could also be a quick backing for another quilt to make it reversible. There is sooo much fabric to be found in this world without always buying new. What a great way to utilize what is already here!
We always used old clothes to make quilts.
First time I bought fabric, I thought my mom was going to drop dead.
She told my grandmother and she had a fit. She took me up to the attic and showed me all old family clothes to use.
Cool!
We ran out of those pieces a long time
ago but the memories live on.
It was fun looking through the quilts to see our old childhood clothes mixed with old aunts clothes.
That is very cool! We are recreating traditions. lol
Karen Martin is awesome. Her new updated sew room is great. I found her when I purchased 49 mens shirts from our churches yard sale. The yardage was amazing I think 8 shirts make a quilt. I cut my shirts apart for better storage and start with biggest pieces first then I made squares and strips. Even saved yardage from yokes and wrist bands for scrappy blocks. Love this pattern. Your quilt top is awesome
Thank you
OMG....what a wonderful idea to use shirts to make memory quilts. I can not get enough of your shows....you make me laugh and enjoy the day.
Oliver is a big cat! I'm impressed that the lid of your machine holds him without breaking! Go Oliver!!
I had to stack fat quarters under the lid to hold the big boy up! LOL
I make quilts, pillows, bears and more from clothing of loved ones who have died. It is rarely 100% cotton clothing and it involves using interfacing. I feel a connection to these family members.
Awww that’s awesome
I've made memory quilts from shirts. I "hardest" part is cutting the shirts apart; it can be time consuming. For one set (of 3 quilts) I used all 6 1/2 inch squares and made 3 different patterns. The hidden 9 patch turned out super cute. Those squares were actually big enough to use the pockets, or pieces of them. I just sewed them closed first. I used all polo shirts for a quilt for my son-in-law. It turned out fairly heavy.
That would make a great Picnic quilt. I, also, enjoy watching Catbird quilts. Can you share a pic of the back? It sounds very pretty and perfect for this quilt.
Yes
I even quilted it
Love the quilt it reminds me of something my grandma would have made. Glad Oliver was there to help you. My cat is to lazy to help me.
lol
Oliver is a mess
When my husband retired I took all his dress shirts that he wore for work, cut them up and made a quilt for our grandson called “Papa’s Shirts”. I kept the pockets in the quilt.
Jo Kramer at Jo's Country Junction has a video on how she cuts up 100% cotton shirts that she buys at thrift stores. She has also made several quilts with thrifted shirts. Thanks for reminding us that we can re-use too!
I'll check it out!
Great idea April ! This could be used for a memory quilt using shirts from a loved one that passed away. You have the greatest ideas!
Thank you 😊
It makes a very masculine quilt. ( For one of those picky guys) Great look!
Yes it does!
Lol we go to Goodwill here in AR on Sundays because the color from the pass week is $1 and the new color is half price. And yes I have made 2 quilts from shirts and blue jeans.
I love Catbird Quilts, too.
Great idea - I use curtains/quilt covers from local charity shops - some make bags or clothing. You can often back 2 of your own quilts by carefully separating the top & reverse of a duvet cover. It also means softer material than new would be. My friends are often intrigued by the origins of my quilt backs, so it's a real conversation starter!
I'm a fan also of The Catbird quilt channel. I my bucket list to make a quilt out of mens shirts 🧥
Oh, the things we do for our pets! lol I am the same way. Lovely quilt!
I use all the leftover fabric to make “ cat beds” that are about 13”x18” for the animal shelter. Very little of the shirt is left especially if you use the really odd shaped pieces to make “ crazy quilt “ blocks. ❤ ❤ ❤
@@saundraweed9738 Do you call shelters and ask what they need?
Love the colors and never would have guessed it was shirts.
Oliver is a show cat for sure. I think he could have a series.
I just made my husband a quilt out of his casual work shirts as he recently retired. It turned out beautiful.
Mention (often) at gatherings that you love fabric and enjoy making crafts & quilts from even the smallest/funkiest materials. When I get a "blink" "blink" response, I bring out my latest blocks from my 1980s rice sack tote bag...lol
Large pieces of 100% cotton yardage are passed on to charity quilt project groups.
My husband buys me fabric when he travels.... Yay! 🍄🍄
Great video, especially seeing your quilt top and cat cameos.
I love Catbird Quilts and I am obsessed with Goodwill / thrift store shopping for quilting fabric because of her! It has reinvigorated my passion for sewing. I buy the ones that are on sale, and I use almost EVERY part, including the cuffs and collar. It is definitely a deal.
That is awesome!
After my husband passed I wanted to keep his shirts. I cut his shirts, some of my shirts, and some fabric into 2 1/2” strips. I was able to make the front and back of a king size quilt. I have this quilt on my bed. Warm and comfortable
Great idea.
I love this❤️
I use old shirts in my quilts because you can get a lot of fabric out of a shirt. I cut the seams and remove plackets, buttons (that go in the button tin) and the collar. I love repurposing old clothes. I have pieces of my Grandma’s dresses from the 1950’s along with pieces of mine and my sibling’s childhood clothes. ❤❤
I've been using thrift store clothing for a long time .. usually not from Goodwill since they have gotten so high on clothing .. I normally don't pay over $2 for anything .. yard sales are another good source .. used "cotton" clothing makes great crumb quilts and adding machine tape fabric .. so many ways to use up what might be discarded .. thanks for the video 👍
Thanks for sharing!!
@@aprilscraftroom You're welcome .. keep making these great videos .. and eat some chocolate ☺
I have been watching the Catbird Quilt channel since she started, she is a lot of fun to watch! ☺
from Gerry- Great idea! Every thrift store has a half price day so you can save even more.. God bless.
So glad you made this video. Quilt looks nice. I’m often asked if I want to use unwanted women’s dresses and I just don’t know if the cotton would be the same weave as quilting cotton. Were all the men’s shirts 100% cotton? The plaids give it away for me being men’s shirts. I sometimes watch Catbird Quilts channel.
Nice to see Oliver supervising again. At least he kept his paws and tail tucked in 😂. I get so nervous every time he tries to participate.
I love her Catbird lady is awesome
Loved the idea of using the denim for the back of the quilt❤❤
Thank you! 😊
For those who are more used to precuts, then just cut out fat quarter sized pieces from the back of the shirts. The sleeves could be cut into jelly roll or honey bun sized strips.
Absolutely
Good job... I'm making quilts using up my "stash" by using "Charms on point" from MSQC...gotta sew fast at age 77... LOL I live to put a narrow solid "shasing" before adding the scrappy border... for the backing... i patch together all the leftovers... long enough,, then sew them to one side of the large backing piece... then sew the other side ... makes a big "tube"... match the seams and find the center of the tube... snip and rip the solid piece... open up and your "scrappy piece" is centered! Hope this makes sense to you... Enjoy watching you... Hugs, GrammaBabs
I agree with your idea about the narrow solid border prior to adding the scrappy border. I will turn 70 this year and it will be a miracle if I live to sew through my stash! Thank you for your ideas!
Love this!
Love this, I don’t think the fabric looks like it came from shirts, not that it would be bad if it did. Love Oliver and the extra support 😂. Love your creativity and I’m really looking forward to seeing the back. I’ve wondered about trying that piecing idea for backing quilts, I remember reading about making seams off center so the quilt isn’t folded on the seam. I always roll my quilts anyway, then I stand them upright in plastic tubs (I am space challenged).
Love this quilt...My husband only ever wears check shirts..so yes I would recognize it as that.....should start saving his discards. Off to eat chocolate and quilt🥧🍩
I just started watching her myself. Just love what she does.
I used this pattern to make my granddaughter a quilt. It is queen size. Trying to keep the same fabric from touching was a bear and not doable. I am so happy with it. She is 15 months old, and I am 75. The quilt is done in fabric that will be good for her now and as she grows. Loved seeing it in the shirt fabric. I always enjoy your tutorials.
Thank you for showing this, I went over and downloaded right after watching.
Oh my what a way to dig into scraps! Thanks again for always inspiring us.
Love your ideas and videos, and of course some of those cute Oliver shots.
Give him a pat! Happy Quilting!
Glad it was helpful!
I started following Cathy Martin @The Catbird Quilts several years ago and have accumulated around 100 shirts. My next quilt will be with the shirts I've reclaimed from our local thrift store. I've been searching for the right pattern to use up those shirts. I like your pattern, it's simple and appears to be fairly fast. Thanks for the idea. By the way, I collect the buttons from those shirts in antique mason jars. They really jazz up the look in my sewing area. I'll probably never use them for anything other than decor.
Love it
Hi! Months later and I’m just now finding you comment. I too have been collecting shirts..long before the now famous Catbird Quilts😂. I’m a traditional quilter so I lean in that direction. My favorite of all time quilt for men’s shirts is “Thousand Pyramid”. Saw this in old quilt magazines from my mom in the 1980’s. Yes shirts have been used forever to make quilts. Look up Mary Fon’s book “Make+Love Quilts” there is a “1000 pyramid quilt” that is out of this world. Also “Revelation Quilts” on TH-cam did two great quilts using shirts! ❤ Happy sewing! (KH)
I read the comments and try to respond too
It’s hard sometimes-- but I want you to know i appreciate you watching my channel
Happy sewing to you too 😃
Luv luv luv this quilt.. i think teen girl would just adore it
Love this video, love Karen ! You are so creative and inspiring thank you ❤
Thank you so much!
Love Catbird Lady and her quilts
I went today to a local church thrift shop- 12 shirts @ $2.each. I’m excited to see
I have used shirts and jeans for material many times. Garage sales are great to get cheap shirts.
I love your videos. Raw and unadulterated. You crack me up
😊 thank you
Yes, I love Catbird quilts also.
Yes! Cathy Martin’s Catbird Quilts is in my top 10 quilt channels. 🤗✂️🧵🪡
Hi.
I love all your videos. Especially when Oliver visits!
Love the udea of using old shurts fir a quilt
Nice to see your sewing desk! We usually see your cutting area!
I watch Catbird too! I've been working on a quilt for my son using shirts too. It's definitely a labor of love,and it's been satisfying turning shirts into fabric, into a quilt. I do wash them first in hot water before breaking them down. Looking forward to your finished project 🎉
Reminds me of a quilt my grandmother made, she used shirt fabric to fill in for some of her half square triangles.
Such a great idea. I love your quilt.
Thank you! 😊
What a great idea! My niece is going to give me her recently deceased Dads shirts, and I may use this pattern. But my cousin, her Dad was very small, so I hope she has a lot of shirts!
Hi April! Those are some nice shirts! I'd love to make a short quilt! Yours turned out really nice!
Thank you! 😊
I love CATBIRD QUILTS. She is a LOVELY LADY.
Your quilt reminds me of the quilts that were made out of what they had. It reminds me of the history of quilt making. Looks great.❤
i LOVE the goodwill, i dont buy shirts (well cause im lazy lol) but i do buy queen and king flat sheets and if the print is really cute i will grab a smaller size, i figured as long as i gave them a good wash with sanitizer i would be okay using them in a quilt, another great video, thank you so much
It's Thrifty, my mother taught me stuff like that. I have used a few shirts and "other" fabrics from Goodwill myself. No one knows unless you tell. 😂 🥰😍🤩 Didn't I see a video of you using Race car T shirts to make a quilt? I'm going hunting lol. As always love your stuff!
This helps me because I have a lot of my granddaddy’s shirts and needed an idea for memory quilts!
I stumbled on your show and did enjoy it. I love your sewing room, (I love sewing room tours too). But the one thing that I really loved on your show is your cat and her/his napping shelf. It made me laugh out loud! I have a cat and she is my sewing partner too! :)
Hope you washed them first ❤. It’s wonderful the amount of fabric in shirts
I just got back from visiting my favorite resale shop. I got 11 XXL men’s shirts for $3.00 ea. they were starched and ironed and in excellent condition. Colors were from avocado, black, aqua, dark rose pink, I also got checks & plaid. WOW can’t wait to chop them up. LOL. ❤
vvvv stunning, I feel inspired to make a quilt out of men's shirts in Dave's Craft Room 😜
I love the fact you’re not afraid to tackle any type of project. The quilt turned out cute. Great color choices…but I’d be curious to hear how much time you put in it. Mind blowing how much fabric really is used in a 2XL shirt. Have a most wonderful week Miss April. Hope ya had a great time at the embroidery retreat…looking forward to hearing all about it. 🤗🤗
Hi Debbie. I did. Have fun at the retreat. Missed the opportunity to eat all that good food at Di’s retreat though. It didn’t take that long to make the quilt. Once I got the backs cut out of the shirts it was like using. Fat quarter.
@@aprilscraftroom you do know you’re going to make me go and look for shirts in the thrift store now Miss April. 🤷🏼♀️😝 glad you had fun at your retreat but it will sure be nice to see you at Miss Di’s retreat some day. I was so proud of myself having Miss Tracy at our retreat…I tried really hard not to “fangirl” too much. 😆 It was such a pleasure having her here. 🤗 I look so forward to meeting you…then my 3 Amigas will be complete. Wahoo
This is one of favorite videos so cute
I cut squares ftom the shirt front that include the pockets and use those squares for borders when making memory quilts. The receiver can then put memory items in the pockets.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has a 😺 helper. Nice quilt.
My first quilt was made from my husband’s old dress shirts when he lost much weight. I wanted to try to make a quilt without spending a fortune on all the materials and supplies (like the fabric stash I have now lol). It came out awesome and he love it. Amazing how much fabric is in those xxl shirts. Now he’s much more fit so win win. Love your quilt and enjoy your video. I watch the cat bird quilt videos also.
April I haven't read all the comments but so this may have been said. Bonnie Hunter does an excellent video on taking apart a shirt that gives an amazing an amount of usable fabric.
That’s awesome
Any tips helps us all
Ecco cosa farò delle camicie che ho conservato del mio papà che indossava XXL, grazie April dall Italia
I just watched her this morning at the 2nd hand store.
I saw her. I follow her. she's awesome over the years I've spent so much money on fabric. I never thought to cut up clothing or even linens.
Me either -- and now I’m hooked
Awesome job 😊
Thank you! 😄
This is a fabulous idea! I now know what to do with my scraps leftover from shirts when making my "vanity bibs"!
Also, I discovered the solution to when your backing is not big enough, cut backing into 4 large triangles and sew back together with sashing strips to get the right dimensions. That was a learning curve. Thanks for sharing your craft, have a wonderful day 🤩
Love your quilt top!!
Thank you so much!
O Sis! You did a great job with this pattern. This pattern would be great with charm packs and layer cakes as well you would just have to forget about that 1/2 inch thing. I’ve been following Cathy at The CatBird Quilts for a long time and I’ve also used men’s & women’s shirts to make a quilt. Cannot wait to see what you do with the back. Sew On!
Thank you! 😊
I go to the Goodwill bins. All the items not sold in the stores goes to the bin stores where you pay by weight. I get mens cotton dress and flannel shirts. Last haul was a garbage bag size bag full for $17, Great video!!!
I watch that lady too. You did a great job ❤it
So cute ❤I love using men's shirts in crafts you can use them in purse making too lol. Such a cool idea you can even throw in a band tshirt here and there to really give it that 90s vibe.
Love it!
I use the sheets from there for my quilts
I enjoy Catbird Quilts also.
I get shirts from Goodwill outlet, you pay by the pound, it was less than a $ per pound, around a year ago.
I go to goodwill or garage sales and buy sheets and tablecloths and use them for quilts. I use the sheets for backing and boarders, and the tablecloths for binding
I love it that your cat is keeping you company. That brings back memories when I was sewing for myself and working around our cat
Awww
Thank you!
I appreciate you watching my channel
My Aunt who was a very old fashioned quilter, everything by hand, never bought any fabric. She saved clothes from all the family and made the most amazing quilts. Your quilt is stunning!
That is awesome!
Love the colors ❤❤❤