Throwback to the origins of American quilting when all pieced quilts were created from shirts, aprons, dresses, etc that were no longer wearable for various reasons or by using fabric flour sacks. I have numerous heirlooms where not one was made with purchased fabric. My mother quilted most of her life, and until she began making quilts for her children's and grandchildren's wedding gifts, she rarely purchased fabric for quilting - and that was because she was no longer sewing clothes for herself or her children - so no scraps. The backing was sheets or muslin. Born in 1929 and a product of the Depression, she never once ( ever) used a machine to piece her quilts. Even the sashing, borders, and binding were sewn by hand. I just finished repairing my sister's quilt from 1970 -she had the excess fabric from the original yardage. What I found was that my mother even ran a basting stitch along the seam allowances before sewing the squares together to ensure accuracy!! And Hand quilted each one. The last quilt she made was a many-year project because of the pain in her hands (which she would never admit - her reasoning was that she didn't like the quilt). Every time my sisters and I visited, we would quilt for at least an hour so our niece would finally get her wedding quilt - on her 6-year anniversary. The remaining grandchildren were given a choice of an heirloom quilt that many years ago I had labeled using muslin and a typewriter creating 1 x 1 1/2 inch tags noting the name of the creator, the approximate decade, the name of the quilt pattern and the location (county and state) where the quilt was made. What goes around comes around.
Your story is my story. I do still make my own clothing, (mostly cottons and wools) for the sheer pleasure of it. I now make huge quilts that go from the floor to floor and can go down memory lane by looking at the fabrics in my quilts. Time consuming but absolutely, gloriously satisfying.
Cathy when you started the video, I thought it better be cheeper! 😂 I pay $4.89 for a shirt which I think is pretty good. You’re to blame that I spend $30-70 dollars at a time when I go to the thrift store. I can’t help it. The thrill of the hunt is so fun, the shirts are buttery soft and different from the material choices at the quilt shops. An added bonus is no one will have a quilt like mine 😂❤ Keep the videos coming. We all love the information and inspiration!❤😊 oh and I LOVE the back of the quilt what a fun treat!
You've created a monster here! I started watching you about 6 months ago and only used yardage then. Now, I almost solely quilt with only shirts, I have many hundreds of them I got from the local thrift shops for $3.50-5.00 each, and I find quilting with shirts and sheets immensely satisfying! It takes longer and is more of a challenge for all the reasons you mention in your videos, and that is precisely why I love it so much (aside from the fact that it is less expensive per quilt, and SO MANY plaids and ginghams!). I live close to NYC, and can find lots of purple, pink, and yellow men's shirts without issue. I go to Goodwill and predominantly buy shirts that are the color of the day, and that are size L or larger, and of course, 100% cotton or linen, or the rare find of other amazing natural blends like cashmere, or silk). I love to work in the damaged or quirky parts of the shirts too, like small holes, frayed edges, worn threads, etc. It gives the quilt so much more character and makes me think of the person who wore the garment that now is getting a second lease on life. I thank you for reigniting my quilting fire! I am on my third Irish chain throw in three months, a great pattern for shirts.
It is addictive for sure! I, too, find quilting with shirts and sheets immensely satisfying! I don't think I can take credit for reigniting your "quilting fire" (love that phrase) but you're welcome for encouraging you to think of shirts as a fabric option! 😘 Thank YOU for watching and commenting and supporting me here on the channel! ❤️
Hello Cathy, I love that you have a lot to say about it! I'm an info hog, and research things that interest me to the Nth degree. Just over a year ago, I started making quilts. TH-camr's such as yourself, have shared your wealth of information, to which I am most grateful. When I started this quest, I didn't have any fabric to achieve even my first project. Luckily in my area there is a very small thrift shop, to which I now support regularly. All their clothing, bedding, curtains and donated scrap fabric used to cost just 25 cents each. But then, with the economic down turn, they've raised their prices to 50 cents. A value i just can't pass up considering the high cost of fabric online and in quilt shops. Thanks to the knowledge I've gained from your videos, I have successfully made four quilts within my first year of quilting, two of which were King size, using fabric obtained from shirts, sheets and pillowcases. I have had to invest in thread and batting however. I don't know or have a longarmer close, so my quilts are hand quilted, a job done with abundant love. As you can see, evidently you're not the only one with lots to say about things. So in conclusion, THANK YOU, for sharing your wealth of knowledge with the quilting world. I'm sure you've saved me thousands of dollars in this year long quest. I now have enough men's shirt fabric to make a dozen more quilts to make with love and gift to family members. Keep having "a lot to say about it!" I look forward to each of your videos,
Hi Cathy, I’m a retired RN who has become a dedicated upcycling sewist. I make quilt coats, quilt top blouses, blouses and dresses made from pillowcases, embroidered textiles, and thrift shop fabrics. And thanks to your example, I now am always looking for men’s dress shirts at thrift stores. Down here in Dothan, Al and surrounding small town thrifts, I rarely ever pay more than $5 per shirt. Recently I traveled to some small towns in NW Florida and bought 23 shirts (mostly large sizes and long sleeves) for an average coast of $2.27 each, score!!! Love your videos, and agree that these shirts bring a multitude of quilty diversity to the quilts I make! Keep up your great videos, don’t stop having a lot to say about that. I’ve saved so much $ and derive indescribable joy from this wonderful obsession.
Hats off to the lady who bought 42 shirts for 9$. I made king size sampler out of 80% shirts and 20% purchased background. I had appx 100$ in whole quilt top. Definately worth my time of cutting up every shirt.
What a delightful lady you are. I am totally with re thrift store shirts. So nice to "meet" you and you are the first gal who doesn't think me strange for doing it. It does take more time washing, cutting, etc. but the savings are wonderful. Being a member of our local quilt guild, I make what we call comfy quilts for children in need. Thank you so much. 😃
You just settled what I've thought about for years and never sat down to think it through. And, now I understand why my grandmother and great aunts were appalled because I bought "yard goods."
Great video! When did “everything” as far as fabric prices get so “crazy”. Mom quilted in the 70-90’s I know she purchased all her fabric at a local department store. She gave away so many quilts to her large family, that fabric had to be real cheap! Oh the good old day😂 BUT.. what I really wanted to say..brag..I can beat your cost by a lot! I rarely pay more than $2 per shirt. I Never shop Thrift Stores (really bad here). Best place to shop shirts are yard sales..and the very best are Church sales! My mind blowing finds at estate sales (quilt shop fabric/mats/rulers) not to be believed. Every Thursday night, I google yards sales/estate sales and create a map/times with my location/routes all planned out😂 This commitment is for those quilt lovers who might not know about this treasure hunting game I play. So fun❤(KH)
I just made a quilt with my Mom's shirts. It was much more difficult than shopping my fabric stash. It is a treasure but not something I want to do again.
Am I the only one with a 'fabric store' of a whole wardrobe full of old clothes?! If I love it, but don't wear it any more, I'm definitely going to make with it! 😄
This is the first of your videos that I happened to watch last week. When our parents died, I made memory quilts for my two sisters and one for myself, mostly out of Daddy's flannel shirts. (Don't do it- flannel is so loosely woven, or at least a lot of his were and I would not use that again.). Anyway- I was impressed by the amount of fabric in a men's shirt- you said size large (at least) and long sleeve. Saturday I had a bit of time and went into the local St Vincent de Paul and they were having men's long-sleeve shirts 25% off, usually 4.99. However, I don't have a quilt in mind and have loads of material I need to use some of it up, first. Anyway- just looking- it was UNBELIEVABLE! There was a beautiful XXL pale yellow cotton Oxford cloth shirt that I almost bought. SO many of them are wrinkle-resistent (Why in the world can't they make wrinkle resistant women's blouses a cheaply as men's shirts? I don't get it!). Anyway- it's incredible and also the shades of colors that are available! So- You've opened my eyes and I am thankful. When I was doing the memory quilts, I started out cutting apart the shirts and taking off all the buttons, etc. Then I started using the design elements of the shirts in the quilt squares--like a pocket, or a fancy yoke, or even the front placket with buttons which I did sew shut-- you can unbutton them, but the other side is sewn shut. I also make blue jean stained glass window quilts and I have used pockets in those, as well- it adds character. :). I just wanted to say thank you so much....
I love that you compared the money saved by using thrifted shirts or thrifted fabric vs. purchased fabric. I have been buying fabric at thrift stores when I find it. I also was gifted about two large garbage bags full of quilting fabric from an aquantice I met while standing in line at the post office. I talk to everyone apparently and she was looking to give her stash to a quilter. It was sweet of her.
What a wonderful story! I love to hear personal stories like that--where just regular conversations struck in public places (like coffee shops or post offices) become real exchanges of kindness.❤️ It reminds me of the importance of connection and how many great people there are (still!) in the world. Thank you, Lauri, for sharing!!
Hello Cathy. I'm thrilled to have found your work with repurposing shirts. I have saved several of my husband's shirts planning to make "fabric " from them. Now I know I'm not alone in this idea. Thanks so much. 😊
I really enjoyed this video. I wash all my cotton before quilting. I’m canadian and quilt fabric is $24 and upward. I do a lot of thrift shopping and noticed amazing men’s dress shirts some retail for $200-$300 a shirt. Their are gorgeous. So I figured seeing as I prewash my cotton I’d start buying XL OR LARGER sized dress shirts. I also buy duvet covers. Which I can pay between $7 to $13 each. If I find gorgeous or designer sheets I buy that for backing. It’s an incredible savings. Don’t forget to check out the women’s section large summer cotton dresses. I’m a purest and love 100 % cotton fabric Just try to make ch up the same weight of cottons. Happy quilting
I love your detailed analysis. I too analysed the cost difference between quilt store cottons and men's shirt cottons, although my analysis was nothing like as detailed as what you did but, for fun, here's what I did. I figured 3 fat quarters per large long sleeved men's shirt, which is a slightly conservative estimate as there is always more useable fabric than that. I am a very scrappy quilter and any oddly shaped pieces don't slow me down a bit. I use my weird-shaped pieces and tidy fat quarters the same way: until there's nothing left. I live in Canada and all my $ amounts are CA$, so the numbers are different but the math is the same. Fat quarters are about $5 each so at 3 fat quarters per shirt, if I buy a shirt for
The other day I got Queen sized duvet covers from the thrift store for $1 each….. They were PERFECTLY ok (in fact, one I am keeping for my room!!!! And I am financial enough to buy a new one). The colours and thicknesses of the cottons are really good. I have recently made a scrappy child’s quilt using material from cutting the sleeves off my husband’s pyjamas. (This was quite a “special” pair of pyjamas as he recently had to go into hospital for a lung cancer operation). We had our first grandchild born at the same time. EDIT: Some thrifted materials (especially shirts) can be “rubbed” [worn]… what I’ve found is the WRONG side looks ok….. so if you use ALL the WRONG side, then there’s nothing to compare it to, so it won’t be noticed as being-on-the-wrong-side!
Being a thrifty sort, I love this kind of thing. I have been making quilts using shirts for a long time...100% cotton, etc. The shirts are fantastic, the quilts are beautiful - and I save $. It's all a wonderful thing. I enjoy your videos a lot.
I made memory quilts from my Dad’s shirts when he passed away. I can not remember how many I chopped up but I was completely surprised at how much fabric one man’s size large pearl snap shirts could produce. I made two identical twin size quilts, a smaller lap quilt and a queen size, and an 18x18 small one. I didn’t see a way to comment with photos. Probably a good idea to block that option because of internet trolling!!! Love the utility quilting method! I love the feel of the used fabrics! I love thrifting! I love people continuing to use the fabric in a different way! I think it is the connecting thread between (well it can be…) generations
Hear, hear! I think there should be a differentiation of "quilts", a bed-covering to keep one warm, and fiber art pieces meant to hang on the wall. My mom made two of our boys quilts using leftover 70's doubleknit fabrics. Colorful, warm, and they wear like iron. My great-grandma made quilts out of old wool dresses and suits; they were heavy and warm, and lasted two generations of constant use. I think using shirts is genius, and I've gotten some more great ideas for sourcing fabric from all these comments.
Gosh ..I stand behind you with this comment. Your definition of a quilt is exactly the same as mine! To me a “quilt” goes on a bed. I feel I must state that I do appreciate what goes into “art quilts”. Also, those double knit polyester quilts in the 1970’s are the very ones my nephews and nieces requested from their grandmothers estate. Pretty scrappy but well loved❤ (KH)@@TheRozylass
Hello, as I’m listing to you and seeing your shirt quilt, I’m thinking that it would be a great challenge for me to try it out. Also, there’s women’s blouses and dresses that could be used as yardage. I’m so glad I didn’t skip your video. Thank you!
❤ I love that you rehome clothing material ❤ imho, quilts are to be used & I'm going to do what the old timers did & use what materials I have on hand - used clothing needs to be rehomed & refashioned into something else other than useless landfill fodder. The sewing/quilting industry is just as expensive as the fast fashion & fast food sales ind.💕 "Waste not want not" 💕😊
Me too! I have 6 large bins of shirting all deboned and folded and color coordinated. Sometimes I just liw to look at my reclaimed fabric and smile. No one, who I've ever given a quilt to, has asked for the origins or pedigree of the fabric. 😊 They're happy I thought enough of them to made them a quilt.
I just happened to find your channel this evening. You are delightful to watch! I enjoy listening to you. I have dabbled in quilting in the past. It has been so many decades ago,but I still am enamored with them. Your video showed me that thrifting is always an option for me. I tend to forget about that. I am learning to sew again. So I need to remember that next time I want to make something. Thank you for video and I look forward to seeing you again!
I'm in Ontario Canada and because of you and your channel I've started stalking shirts at the thrift stores. I won't go over $9.99 CAN for a shirt which is still considerably cheaper than quality quilting cottons in my area they typically run $20-23 + per metre! I now have a quilt tops worth of shirts in values of black, grey and white. The coolest one I found was typed font on a white shirt! To be perfectly honest, I will NOT pay $20 bucks for fabric unless it's something I can wear! You commented about not getting pink shirts in the mid west, maybe not but you can get fabric dye and white shirts! Still cheaper than quilting cottons!
I’m in Nova Scotia and we have an awesome hospital thrift shop where the most wonderful 100% cotton shirts They have fill up a bag for $5 sales. Up from $2!
I love all your videos! In my heart I want to quilt using cotton shirts, but alas - so much effort shopping and cutting them up, and I have production quotas (27 grandchildren, and foster kids’ quilts, and veterans). So I can’t meet my quotas unless I use yardage. 😂 Also, in my very rural area our only used clothing source is an overpriced thrift store. However, there is more than one way to slash those costs. Most of my fabric comes from estate sales, or the free table at quilt guild. I have bought beautiful name brand quilting cottons for fifty cents to a dollar a yard. I picked up red, white and blue fabrics for free last week - at least enough for two quilt tops. I feel like these beautiful fabrics were purchased by someone with good intentions, and I rescue the fabrics and allow them to be what they were meant to be all along - quilts to wrap a veteran or a foster child, or a nursing home patient, or a grandchild, in love. I also buy bolts of some colors for $5 a yard (Missouri Star - sale on Riley Blake bolts today, four bolts coming my way) and shop thrifty every way possible, including longarming them myself - meanders, loops, leaves, or hearts, because that is my skill level. In my heart I want to cut up shirts and build beautiful Catbird-inspired quilts, salvage my tiny cutoffs transformed into HSTs, and even hand quilt them sitting on my couch watching Britbox, but for now - quotas! “We hates it.” Cracked me up! As you often do. I am going to continue watching you, and learning, but mostly just enjoying the conversation. And some day I am going to make quilts from shirts. I wait for the day someone asks me - Can you take my loved one’s shirts and make me a memory quilt? I will jump at it, armed with knowledge. Thank you.
Oh my goodness, thank you, Elaine! ❤️ What a wonderful comment! Yes, I totally get it! While for me the time spent shopping and cutting shirts apart is enjoyable and worthwhile, I do not have high production and if I did, there would be no way I could do it all with shirts!! But we don't have to have the same methods to appreciate each other's bargain shopping and cost-cutting measures! 😘 I'm so glad you're with me here on YT! And what a great day it will be when you can make that requested memory quilt---you'll be ready!!
Wow! I love your breakdown of the tale of 2 quilts cost. I also like to use shirts for my sewing quilts. I like doing this because of cutting the cost but also the game of it all. The way you discussed the breakdown was great. Thanks for your efforts.
This was fun to listen too and learn. It reminded me of my grandma using previously used fabrics. And I still have quite a few of them that I use and I’m 71 yrs. New subscriber also
In Canada fabric is very expensive at fabric stores. $20.00 to $28.00 per meter! Even tho used shirts at a second store are not cheap, usually about 8.00 to 12.00 per shirt. I try to ONLY buy fabric on clearance sales. I have noticed lately that we have fabric stores, not big chains ones, going out of business. I think that quilters are having a hard time affording high price fabric. My two cents
That shirt you are wearing would be great in a quilt as others have noted! LOL OMG, the letter B and Golom reference made me spill my coffee today! 🤣🤣🤣 Your comparisons are valid I believe as those of us where shirts are more expensive, also pay exponentially more for fabric from a quilt store. My quilt store does sell by the inch/cm which is great. Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Sylvie and yes, I have *seriously* thought about cutting up that shirt and using it in a quilt! You know my quirky sense of humor---so glad it made you laugh! ❤️
Funny, I thought the same thing... I'd love to cut that shirt up. Great colors in that shirt, Cathy, I'm going to be on the lookout to see when it turns up in one of your beautiful quilts.
Thank you for all the research you did for us. I have a room of fabric.so always left overs. I never buy just enough. I always consider a quilt a gift. So I am thinking I am buying a gift . My cousins gift, he is over 6 feet tall, was so much more than a baby quilt. I would like everyone I love to have a quilt before I pass on! Wouldn't that be a great thing! Hugs from Tampa.
Laura, that WOULD be a great thing! THAT is a good goal, I think. Maybe I'll adopt that hope for myself as well. ❤️ (although that's a LOT of quilts---I tend to love people.) Big hug from me. 😘
That is a wonderful goal, to have given everyone you love a quilt. I heard of a woman whose goal was to make some beautiful quilts before she passed on. And, she did!! I love your goal as well.
This is great. I'd never thought of using thrift store clothing. I make a lot of charity quilts, mostly lap quilts for people undergoing chemo, so soft shirts sound perfect. I'll be doing a tour of our local thrift stores tomorrow! I live in Australia where men love bright patterned shirts so I'm hopeful that I'll find some great fabric. Thanks for the inspiration.
You are so funny! I enjoyed watching your video and subscribed. All quilters have asked this question. I'm sure we all knew the answer, but you have documented it. The backing with the tiny half square triangles is amazing.
I have recently learned to but at thrift stores! I just got pillowcases for .99 cents each!!! I also had 2 cotton shirts that I had outgrown and cut them up!!!
There are so many ways to curate a fabric stash. Yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores. Learning to quilt as you go allows you to quilt on your own machine. There are several great quilting teachers who have TH-cam channels detailing the methods. Think outside the box, I am very inspired to shop my closet and thrift stores to see what I can deconstr for a future project. Thanks for the inspiration!
Here in the UK I think we’re quite well provided with online shops that will do single fat quarters of most of their stock. It does mean I have to resist the urge to keep adding to my fat quarter stash, simply because I love beautiful fabric, though! A shirt from the charity shop usually costs me a little more than a FQ would, and I get so much more fabric. Thanks for another great informative video Cathy.
That was great! I love that you did all that math. I have a whole big bag of men’s XL shirts that I bought to make summer tops, but I just started quilting, so I may have to raid that bag for a quilt. You didn’t mention getting fabric at estate sales, but they are a great source for fabrics, notions, and even sewing machines.
I as well live in the Midwest and have had luck finding them. Just this weekend, I found one brand new still in the plastic at th goodwill bins. I wish you luck in finding your unicorn. 😊
I wish we could work out a shirt swap---pinks and gingham for flannel and twill! If shipping cross country wasn't so expensive, I bet we'd have lots of folks who would gladly trade!!
No matter where you purchased your fabric from it was made with love, laughter and well wishes. Great video! This entire message contains zero letters from our sponsor. 😂
I make my own clothing, (mostly cottons and wools) for the sheer pleasure of it. I now make huge quilts that go from the floor to floor and can go down memory lane by looking at the fabrics in my quilts. Time consuming but absolutely, gloriously satisfying.
Cathy that was such a lovely story! I love how each part of the process played out for this person in your life to receive something so beautiful and lovingly made from you . Even though you were resistant the the vivid colors, you followed the clues from the universe to come full circle and receive and create happiness in your life and your quilters life and Vickie, and then in Shirley’s life! You are a wonderful person!
Well done :). Pink shirts can be found in women’s shirts section. I am a lovely plus size and have been known to forward a pink cotton shirt from time to time to goodwill. Also when I order cotton fabric online from stores like Joann’s it has a 2 yard minimum. But you did a great job in calculating it all. Fascinating! Thanks for all your hard work & sharing it all!
Other potentials for pinks - household linens - check the sheet or pillowcase as usually they are marked for fabric content. Also look at the quality of the fabric, as this can vary a lot too! I am in the Midwest and noticed the lack of men's shirts in pink, purple and similar.
Hi! My mom sewed "sheets" out of old clothes because we where very poor and could not aford to buy bedding, she would not quilt I guess because she didn't have money to buy batting. I learned from her to use an old sewing machine wich she still uses to mend and to alterate clothes for herself. She mended a lot of my dad's jeans and shirts that he used in farming, also alterated our clothes like the seams of jeans, change a broken zipper, sew buttons and more. She did it out of necesity and to have a time for herself. Now I get it how much she enjoyed to have that time for herself, it was her way to entertainment after all tbe work involved in raising 8 children.
Hi Tania! Thank you for sharing some of your story! I think a lot of us understand now, as wives and mothers, how needed and meaningful that time spent in handwork, sewing, yarnwork, or even just mending is for our mental and emotional health and happiness. And women all over the world have managed to make ends meet with old clothes and letting out hems and every other manner of reusing and repurposing fabric! What a gift to all the women who come after them to have learned from their thriftiness and skill. ❤️
I sew and crochet but I've never quilted before. My son has so many shirts that he's overgrown but hangs onto, since he still loves the prints on them. Seeing this video inspired me to take those precious little shirts and try my hand at making him a little quilt. Thank you so much for posting this, and giving me the inspiration. You're lovely to watch.
I'm catching up on your videos (had to go in order!) and loved your "little Brother" remark. I too have a little Brother machine AND a little brother (62 years old), so I named my machine Pat after him. It's my retreat and my FL snowbird machine.
I just found your channel and could listen to you all day! Your gentle spirit shines through! I have a question. I tried to scroll comments but there were so many so I gave up! My question is, do you ever have an issue with perspiration odor? Maybe you’ve covered this in a previous video. I am going to go back to your earliest video and binge.
Sometimes. Although I usually wash my thrift store shirts with a generous amount of vinegar on warm or hot which often gets out odors. OdorKlenz is also excellent for getting out stubborn body odors.
see the Shirt Quilt: 23:41 GeoGems pattern see the Yardage Quilt: 09:45 If you press pause before you press the link, the video will be paused when you get there, so you can see it for longer. Love these quilts, and it is so fun to flip back and forth.
This was a fabulous tutorial!!!!!!! I have my own 1/2 ton of stash material, but I've also been gifted almost another 1/2 ton of retro, vintage, prints and solids, along with threads and misc. Seeing how you've penciled it out has made my heart very happy and raring to dig in and get it sorted and added to my stash. Thank you so much for your time and efforts ❤❤❤
Superb video & info… I began thrifting denim & men’s shirts for making rag quilts to sell… As I began looking for flannel men’s shirts, I noticed how so many shirts had such very nice fabrics (prints, hand & quality)-that’s when my thoughts went to regular quilting using that thrifted shirt fabric-so much of it is too nice to use for rag quilting LOL!!
Although it's not an out-of-pocket cost, thrifting clothes for materials takes extra time. Besides cutting them apart to 'flatten them out,' you have to play around with fitting the pattern pieces so as to make the most of your oddly shaped pieces. So, if you put a price on your time, you'd have more involved in thrift-sewing. It's still fun to do and worth it! I go to rummage sales on the last day when it's bag day-- everything you can shove into a bag for a fixed price!
Beautiful work and fantastic savings. And even at $60 for a total of 10 shirts, you'll still use the fabric leftover for other projects. For people who may not have access to thrift stores, or even those who do, I'd be looking for items being discarded due to damage, such as stains, minor tears, discolored collars, etc. One can always discard the bad parts, and use the good. ,I've seen huge bundles of clothing being prepped for shipment elsewhere ( stuff that doesn't sell) at the back area of thrift stores. I don't know if or how one could acquire such but I'd be asking store managers. And I'd also put up posts on local and neighborhood social media sites for unwanted shirts, as sometimes people dispose of such items rather than donating and are happy to have you take their stuff. I've been real lucky in acquiring items that way, as well as helping others who have posted in need of.
I love this comparison. It’s funny how Jennifer’s and your quilts’ coloraways looked so similar. And once again comparing a FQ to the shirt pieces is eye opening. TFS
Two beautiful quilts and such an interesting video. Thank you so much! All towns are different of course. We do have a Goodwill in my town. I have never been there. I will consider going. I buy my fabric online but we do have a Joann's in my town that I did buy all of my fabric at previous to buying online. I had never heard of designers that sold patterns for quilts and their own line of fabrics before until about 6 years ago and I was hooked. I fell in love with about 6 designer's fabrics, patterns and spent a fortune I hate to say but I also will say I am 71 now, a retired nurse of years and have been quilting for 44 years. I decided not to buy anymore fabric until I used up most of what I have, (I should be about 150 years old by then) but love every fabric and pattern I do have. All the designer's I follow have TH-cam channels and I love following them.
Im lucky to have a thrift store near me that sells shirts for 50 cents and has 1 weekend a month when they are 25 cents.The proceeds go to battered women and people in need of food. So it makes me feel good to shop there and I also donate things there which helps me to clear the clutter as well. I live in Oklahoma and clothes are a dime a dozen here. But Goodwills here are up to $5.99 for shirts too. Which I feel is crazy considering they are supposed to help support those on low income, and minimum wage hasn't increased like the price of those shirts. Anyways...on a tangent. Thanks for the inspiration and affirmation. Its always good to hear your cheerful voice, keep up the great work.😃
Well I live in Greece and on the island that I live on, we don’t have thrift shops but we have bazaars. Something like a yard sale in your country. These bazaars are only held outside of the tourist season. I can buy 100% cotton shirts for a euro. I also get dresses and skirts anything 100% cotton. I only use recycled clothing in all my quilts. When I visit England I sometimes manage to get new fabric from the charity shops but not often. Fabric here in Greece is expensive too.
I recently made a quilt with my gpa’s shirts plus thrifted shirts as filler. I love the information provided here. The thing that holds me back the most is the prep time of prepping the shirts so they’re usable as fabric. It’s a lot. But worth it if that’s what you’re after. Just not an approach I want to take personally on all of my quilts. Of course the point here is that it doesn’t have to be pricey if you’re willing to bargain shop and take the extra time. Anyone can truly quilt! Thank you for this Cathy!
Thank you, Cathy, for doing this comparison for us!! Awesome information!! I am in the Midwest and while not in abundance (in the wild) I do find plenty of pink men's shirts. Possibly it is because I "frequent" the stores?? Usually once a week. Love the Geo Gems quilts and both of your choices in fabrics. Thank you for sharing!!
I'm currently sitting in my crafting/sewing space working on my second baby quilted blanket. All of the materials are brand new, so I'm counting full purchase prices, not discounting for actual materials used. I'm using solid fabric sections, neither side is pieced, the batting is brand new and I'm quilting it myself on my Janome. For 2 quilted blankets, I spent $243 on materials. One side is cotton, the second side is a polyester-wool blend woven plaid in the Spirit of Scotland tartan. Those second sides cost me $160 for 4 yards tax included. The only difference between the quilts is the pattern with which I'm quilting them. These baby boys are very special, so I figured that they are worth the added expense. Dress shirts and sheets are probably going to be my materials going forward for a while. I also have 40 memory bears and bunnies to make using my grandparents' clothing after my grandpa passes. I come from a large extended family.
I checked out my community thrift store the other day and discovered that all adult clothing is $2 a piece unless otherwise marked. The store isn't very big and neither is their selection, but that is a really good price for my area. If I go to the bigger thrift stores in the bigger neighboring cities, I will find a bigger selection but probably at a high price per shirt.
Excellent video! always use shirts and sheets, table clothes, duvets, whatever thrifted cotton I can find🇮🇪🧵🧷🪡 I enjoy my quilts so much more when I do them this way. Have used old wool blankets for batting but heavy to quilt. Recently discovered fleece for backs and can leave out batting for lighter quilt and works well.
So cool! I am a sometimes quilter, so don't have a lot of stash. This is a fabulous method of stashing some beautiful fabrics, without spending a ton. I do unfortunately currently reside in the NW of the US, so beautiful pink fabrics will be few and far between, but I'll keep an eye out for interesting prints.
This was fascinating! I hate quilting as well, but am addicted to piecing the tops! I will definitely reconsider the thrift shop idea! I always wondered about this! I already get the $15-$20 fabric bags from thrift stores, but this could be a better way!
Quilts were originally made out of the scraps of good parts of the fabric left when a garment was too worn to use anymore, or from small pieces left from making clothes from new fabrics. The whole point was to not waste fabric, to make something useful from something that was too small to be otherwise of use. I could never understand the rise of modern “quilting,” where you purposefully purchased fabric only to make a quilt. The value in old quilts was the “life” the garments they were made from had seen, the remembrance of people whose clothes you used in them, and the artfulness of making a beautiful pattern when you had limited scraps to work with. “Rediscovering” the idea of making quilts from pre-used fabric is hilarious.
TY for sharing this interesting project. It was a labour of love. (cuz it's a baby quilt, LOL.) It is almost shocking how much we can save, when we put in the effort. The comparison is really striking. And you cannot call one better/ prettier/ superior to the other.
I am doing a quilt guild challenge project, and I'm using men's shirts for the first time. I find the most challenging thing is that when a shirt is gone, it is gone! That could force me to improvise, which is interesting.
Love your channel. You inspired me a year ago to shop the thrift store for quality fabric/shirts. I have so much I now, I now shop my own stash when looking to start a new quit. It’s addictive, just completed 3 lap quits all from thrifted material and shirts. My local thrift store here in SC has men shirts for about $2. Sometimes $1 or 50 cents. I have so much now, I am very picky about quality and what I buy. Love it!!
Oh my goodness, thank you, Regina! ❤️ And yes it IS addictive (and fun!) to shop for and quilt with shirts! (and I'm picky too now for the same reasons!) 😘
Hey, Cathy! This video just popped up on my stream, and I’m SO glad it did! You have definitely shown a great comparison btwn using quilting fabric and thrifted shirting. I have picked up a for embellishing jean jackets and sweatshirts. Now you’ve convinced m3 to do so for other projects as well. This would make a huge savings on donation quilts. Just think…3 for the price of 1! Interesting that you mentioned denim shirts. I have been thrifting denim jeans for quilting and bagmaking projects. My absolute best deal was found when was camping in the Midwest in 2022. I found new long, wide-leg, cropped denim jeans-in both blue and black-for $5 USF on sal3 at a Walmart. I snapped up all of the XXL that they had. Bonus…they had buttoned flys (flies?…Hmmmm…is the plural for the fly in pants different that of the pesky insect??). But I digress. My plan is to use these as accents on future bags. I think they would be particularly fabulous incorporated in the bags made of jeans hems designed by Don Kym on his channel . Are you familiar with him? He upcycled as sorts of clothing-particularly shirts and jeans. Love his channel! You are a delight! You have truly brightened my day. You bring such joy to your channel-much like Amy Dement. I’m now subscribed to your channel, and I am looking binge-watching your past videos! Thank you, and stay well! EDIT: I’m half way through your wedding quilt video from a year ago, and I’m pretty sure that I caught a video of you shopping a thrift store with your husband. The comment re thrifting for linens tweaked my memory. Muskoka ON 🇨🇦😅,
I love this idea, I’ve been working with fabric that I collected while working at Joanns. This is a wonderful way to do quilts without spending all that money, I’ll absolutely consider this for future projects!
And no one has mentioned how soft and luxurious used shirt fabrics feel. The tactile comfort is noteworthy. 😊
I scored a great deal, I bought 42 men’s shirts for $9! I did the happy dance all the way to my vehicle!
That is 100% worth a happy dance!! Maybe 2 happy dances!! 🤩
Wow,great bargain. Happy quilting.
I'm so so impressed! Wow!
How?
@@M.C.W.62 our thrift store had all the clothes you could fit into a bag for $3, so I bought 3 bags.
Throwback to the origins of American quilting when all pieced quilts were created from shirts, aprons, dresses, etc that were no longer wearable for various reasons or by using fabric flour sacks. I have numerous heirlooms where not one was made with purchased fabric.
My mother quilted most of her life, and until she began making quilts for her children's and grandchildren's wedding gifts, she rarely purchased fabric for quilting - and that was because she was no longer sewing clothes for herself or her children - so no scraps. The backing was sheets or muslin. Born in 1929 and a product of the Depression, she never once ( ever) used a machine to piece her quilts. Even the sashing, borders, and binding were sewn by hand. I just finished repairing my sister's quilt from 1970 -she had the excess fabric from the original yardage. What I found was that my mother even ran a basting stitch along the seam allowances before sewing the squares together to ensure accuracy!! And Hand quilted each one.
The last quilt she made was a many-year project because of the pain in her hands (which she would never admit - her reasoning was that she didn't like the quilt). Every time my sisters and I visited, we would quilt for at least an hour so our niece would finally get her wedding quilt - on her 6-year anniversary. The remaining grandchildren were given a choice of an heirloom quilt that many years ago I had labeled using muslin and a typewriter creating 1 x 1 1/2 inch tags noting the name of the creator, the approximate decade, the name of the quilt pattern and the location (county and state) where the quilt was made. What goes around comes around.
I love to hear stories like this! (KH)
Check out the Gee’s Bend Quilters AL. They are been shown in art museums. Target sold jackets with patterns from these ladies work. Beautiful.
This is such a precious way to pass down history with the story attached!
Your story is my story. I do still make my own clothing, (mostly cottons and wools) for the sheer pleasure of it. I now make huge quilts that go from the floor to floor and can go down memory lane by looking at the fabrics in my quilts. Time consuming but absolutely, gloriously satisfying.
@@annswisher1726 I saw those amazing, beautiful quilts at the Boston art museum .
Cathy when you started the video, I thought it better be cheeper! 😂 I pay $4.89 for a shirt which I think is pretty good. You’re to blame that I spend $30-70 dollars at a time when I go to the thrift store. I can’t help it. The thrill of the hunt is so fun, the shirts are buttery soft and different from the material choices at the quilt shops. An added bonus is no one will have a quilt like mine 😂❤ Keep the videos coming. We all love the information and inspiration!❤😊 oh and I LOVE the back of the quilt what a fun treat!
You've created a monster here! I started watching you about 6 months ago and only used yardage then. Now, I almost solely quilt with only shirts, I have many hundreds of them I got from the local thrift shops for $3.50-5.00 each, and I find quilting with shirts and sheets immensely satisfying! It takes longer and is more of a challenge for all the reasons you mention in your videos, and that is precisely why I love it so much (aside from the fact that it is less expensive per quilt, and SO MANY plaids and ginghams!). I live close to NYC, and can find lots of purple, pink, and yellow men's shirts without issue. I go to Goodwill and predominantly buy shirts that are the color of the day, and that are size L or larger, and of course, 100% cotton or linen, or the rare find of other amazing natural blends like cashmere, or silk). I love to work in the damaged or quirky parts of the shirts too, like small holes, frayed edges, worn threads, etc. It gives the quilt so much more character and makes me think of the person who wore the garment that now is getting a second lease on life. I thank you for reigniting my quilting fire! I am on my third Irish chain throw in three months, a great pattern for shirts.
It is addictive for sure! I, too, find quilting with shirts and sheets immensely satisfying! I don't think I can take credit for reigniting your "quilting fire" (love that phrase) but you're welcome for encouraging you to think of shirts as a fabric option! 😘 Thank YOU for watching and commenting and supporting me here on the channel! ❤️
Hello Cathy, I love that you have a lot to say about it! I'm an info hog, and research things that interest me to the Nth degree. Just over a year ago, I started making quilts. TH-camr's such as yourself, have shared your wealth of information, to which I am most grateful. When I started this quest, I didn't have any fabric to achieve even my first project. Luckily in my area there is a very small thrift shop, to which I now support regularly. All their clothing, bedding, curtains and donated scrap fabric used to cost just 25 cents each. But then, with the economic down turn, they've raised their prices to 50 cents. A value i just can't pass up considering the high cost of fabric online and in quilt shops. Thanks to the knowledge I've gained from your videos, I have successfully made four quilts within my first year of quilting, two of which were King size, using fabric obtained from shirts, sheets and pillowcases. I have had to invest in thread and batting however. I don't know or have a longarmer close, so my quilts are hand quilted, a job done with abundant love. As you can see, evidently you're not the only one with lots to say about things. So in conclusion, THANK YOU, for sharing your wealth of knowledge with the quilting world. I'm sure you've saved me thousands of dollars in this year long quest. I now have enough men's shirt fabric to make a dozen more quilts to make with love and gift to family members. Keep having "a lot to say about it!" I look forward to each of your videos,
Thrifted blankets can be used for batting. Look for thinner tighter woven ones. Old hospital blankets are perfect. Happy quilting!
😂
Hi Cathy, I’m a retired RN who has become a dedicated upcycling sewist. I make quilt coats, quilt top blouses, blouses and dresses made from pillowcases, embroidered textiles, and thrift shop fabrics. And thanks to your example, I now am always looking for men’s dress shirts at thrift stores. Down here in Dothan, Al and surrounding small town thrifts, I rarely ever pay more than $5 per shirt. Recently I traveled to some small towns in NW Florida and bought 23 shirts (mostly large sizes and long sleeves) for an average coast of $2.27 each, score!!! Love your videos, and agree that these shirts bring a multitude of quilty diversity to the quilts I make! Keep up your great videos, don’t stop having a lot to say about that. I’ve saved so much $ and derive indescribable joy from this wonderful obsession.
Hats off to the lady who bought 42 shirts for 9$.
I made king size sampler out of 80% shirts and 20% purchased background. I had appx 100$ in whole quilt top. Definately worth my time of cutting up every shirt.
What a delightful lady you are. I am totally with re thrift store shirts. So nice to "meet" you and you are the first gal who doesn't think me strange for doing it. It does take more time washing, cutting, etc. but the savings are wonderful. Being a member of our local quilt guild, I make what we call comfy quilts for children in need. Thank you so much. 😃
You just settled what I've thought about for years and never sat down to think it through.
And, now I understand why my grandmother and great aunts were appalled because I bought "yard goods."
Donna, right?! It really is eye-opening and validating for those of us that quilt with secondhand fabrics!
Great video! When did “everything” as far as fabric prices get so “crazy”. Mom quilted in the 70-90’s I know she purchased all her fabric at a local department store. She gave away so many quilts to her large family, that fabric had to be real cheap! Oh the good old day😂
BUT.. what I really wanted to say..brag..I can beat your cost by a lot! I rarely pay more than $2 per shirt. I Never shop Thrift Stores (really bad here). Best place to shop shirts are yard sales..and the very best are Church sales! My mind blowing finds at estate sales (quilt shop fabric/mats/rulers) not to be believed. Every Thursday night, I google yards sales/estate sales and create a map/times with my location/routes all planned out😂 This commitment is for those quilt lovers who might not know about this treasure hunting game I play. So fun❤(KH)
I just made a quilt with my Mom's shirts. It was much more difficult than shopping my fabric stash. It is a treasure but not something I want to do again.
Many church rummage sales have a sale at the end for example - fill a bag for $2. I fill it with men’s shirts!
Yes and on last day of estate sales everything in50%@@terrib6713
Nice idea re: estates sales, thrift stores etc
Wow, organized & methodical bargain hunter-KUDOS for U lady!!……Thx for the ideas and inspiration…😱❤️👍😊🙏🌞‼️
Am I the only one with a 'fabric store' of a whole wardrobe full of old clothes?! If I love it, but don't wear it any more, I'm definitely going to make with it! 😄
Good idea
gathered skirts often have amazingly pretty fabric, as well as lots of yardage.
YES!!!!!! Thrift stores have TONS of these skirts
We are blessed to have in our town two thrift stores selling men's shirts for .25 and .50. The cost of making a quilt or other projects is minimal.
Thrifted Bedsheets are great too btw, or curtains. We garment sewists use them all the time ❤
This is the first of your videos that I happened to watch last week. When our parents died, I made memory quilts for my two sisters and one for myself, mostly out of Daddy's flannel shirts. (Don't do it- flannel is so loosely woven, or at least a lot of his were and I would not use that again.). Anyway- I was impressed by the amount of fabric in a men's shirt- you said size large (at least) and long sleeve. Saturday I had a bit of time and went into the local St Vincent de Paul and they were having men's long-sleeve shirts 25% off, usually 4.99. However, I don't have a quilt in mind and have loads of material I need to use some of it up, first. Anyway- just looking- it was UNBELIEVABLE! There was a beautiful XXL pale yellow cotton Oxford cloth shirt that I almost bought. SO many of them are wrinkle-resistent (Why in the world can't they make wrinkle resistant women's blouses a cheaply as men's shirts? I don't get it!). Anyway- it's incredible and also the shades of colors that are available! So- You've opened my eyes and I am thankful. When I was doing the memory quilts, I started out cutting apart the shirts and taking off all the buttons, etc. Then I started using the design elements of the shirts in the quilt squares--like a pocket, or a fancy yoke, or even the front placket with buttons which I did sew shut-- you can unbutton them, but the other side is sewn shut. I also make blue jean stained glass window quilts and I have used pockets in those, as well- it adds character. :). I just wanted to say thank you so much....
I love that you compared the money saved by using thrifted shirts or thrifted fabric vs. purchased fabric. I have been buying fabric at thrift stores when I find it. I also was gifted about two large garbage bags full of quilting fabric from an aquantice I met while standing in line at the post office. I talk to everyone apparently and she was looking to give her stash to a quilter. It was sweet of her.
What a wonderful story! I love to hear personal stories like that--where just regular conversations struck in public places (like coffee shops or post offices) become real exchanges of kindness.❤️ It reminds me of the importance of connection and how many great people there are (still!) in the world. Thank you, Lauri, for sharing!!
I’ve just finished making a quilt with our old worn, stained or ripped shirts, blouses & mostly cotton. Stories from the reused fabric is fun.
Hello Cathy. I'm thrilled to have found your work with repurposing shirts. I have saved several of my husband's shirts planning to make "fabric " from them. Now I know I'm not alone in this idea. Thanks so much. 😊
You're welcome, Brigitte! ❤️ There are a LOT of us our here in the world making quilts with shirts---so you are definitely not alone!
I really enjoyed this video. I wash all my cotton before quilting. I’m canadian and quilt fabric is $24 and upward. I do a lot of thrift shopping and noticed amazing men’s dress shirts some retail for $200-$300 a shirt. Their are gorgeous. So I figured seeing as I prewash my cotton I’d start buying XL OR LARGER sized dress shirts. I also buy duvet covers. Which I can pay between $7 to $13 each. If I find gorgeous or designer sheets I buy that for backing. It’s an incredible savings. Don’t forget to check out the women’s section large summer cotton dresses. I’m a purest and love 100 % cotton fabric Just try to make ch up the same weight of cottons. Happy quilting
I love your detailed analysis. I too analysed the cost difference between quilt store cottons and men's shirt cottons, although my analysis was nothing like as detailed as what you did but, for fun, here's what I did. I figured 3 fat quarters per large long sleeved men's shirt, which is a slightly conservative estimate as there is always more useable fabric than that. I am a very scrappy quilter and any oddly shaped pieces don't slow me down a bit. I use my weird-shaped pieces and tidy fat quarters the same way: until there's nothing left. I live in Canada and all my $ amounts are CA$, so the numbers are different but the math is the same. Fat quarters are about $5 each so at 3 fat quarters per shirt, if I buy a shirt for
The other day I got Queen sized duvet covers from the thrift store for $1 each…..
They were PERFECTLY ok (in fact, one I am keeping for my room!!!! And I am financial enough to buy a new one). The colours and thicknesses of the cottons are really good.
I have recently made a scrappy child’s quilt using material from cutting the sleeves off my husband’s pyjamas.
(This was quite a “special” pair of pyjamas as he recently had to go into hospital for a lung cancer operation). We had our first grandchild born at the same time.
EDIT: Some thrifted materials (especially shirts) can be “rubbed” [worn]… what I’ve found is the WRONG side looks ok….. so if you use ALL the WRONG side, then there’s nothing to compare it to, so it won’t be noticed as being-on-the-wrong-side!
Great video and good information. I had never thought to go to the thrift store and buy shirts to sew into quilts. Awesome.
Being a thrifty sort, I love this kind of thing. I have been making quilts using shirts for a long time...100% cotton, etc. The shirts are fantastic, the quilts are beautiful - and I save $. It's all a wonderful thing. I enjoy your videos a lot.
That was so revealing! Great job! Thanks for confirming what those of us who recycle fabric from clothing already suspected.
You're so welcome! And thank you, Evelyn! ❤️
I made memory quilts from my Dad’s shirts when he passed away. I can not remember how many I chopped up but I was completely surprised at how much fabric one man’s size large pearl snap shirts could produce. I made two identical twin size quilts, a smaller lap quilt and a queen size, and an 18x18 small one. I didn’t see a way to comment with photos. Probably a good idea to block that option because of internet trolling!!! Love the utility quilting method! I love the feel of the used fabrics! I love thrifting! I love people continuing to use the fabric in a different way! I think it is the connecting thread between (well it can be…) generations
You're simply amazing! You can also mention that you are recycling all those shirts that often end up in landfills 👔👔👔👏
Thank you, Candace! ❤️ And yes ma'am, there are so many benefits to recycling shirts---sometimes I forget it's also good for the environment!
"Quilting should be accessible to everyone" say it louder for the fabric snobs in the back!! 🎉👏👏🎉
This was a great breakdown of costs!
Hear, hear! I think there should be a differentiation of "quilts", a bed-covering to keep one warm, and fiber art pieces meant to hang on the wall. My mom made two of our boys quilts using leftover 70's doubleknit fabrics. Colorful, warm, and they wear like iron. My great-grandma made quilts out of old wool dresses and suits; they were heavy and warm, and lasted two generations of constant use. I think using shirts is genius, and I've gotten some more great ideas for sourcing fabric from all these comments.
Thank you so much!! ❤️
Gosh ..I stand behind you with this comment. Your definition of a quilt is exactly the same as mine! To me a “quilt” goes on a bed. I feel I must state that I do appreciate what goes into “art quilts”. Also, those double knit polyester quilts in the 1970’s are the very ones my nephews and nieces requested from their grandmothers estate. Pretty scrappy but well loved❤ (KH)@@TheRozylass
Hello, as I’m listing to you and seeing your shirt quilt, I’m thinking that it would be a great challenge for me to try it out. Also, there’s women’s blouses and dresses that could be used as yardage. I’m so glad I didn’t skip your video. Thank you!
❤ I love that you rehome clothing material ❤ imho, quilts are to be used & I'm going to do what the old timers did & use what materials I have on hand - used clothing needs to be rehomed & refashioned into something else other than useless landfill fodder. The sewing/quilting industry is just as expensive as the fast fashion & fast food sales ind.💕 "Waste not want not" 💕😊
Thank you so much-I gotta say, I do love giving shirts a second life in a quilt! ❤️
Me too! I have 6 large bins of shirting all deboned and folded and color coordinated. Sometimes I just liw to look at my reclaimed fabric and smile. No one, who I've ever given a quilt to, has asked for the origins or pedigree of the fabric. 😊 They're happy I thought enough of them to made them a quilt.
I just happened to find your channel this evening. You are delightful to watch! I enjoy listening to you. I have dabbled in quilting in the past. It has been so many decades ago,but I still am enamored with them. Your video showed me that thrifting is always an option for me. I tend to forget about that. I am learning to sew again. So I need to remember that next time I want to make something. Thank you for video and I look forward to seeing you again!
I love how you used the smaller HSTs on the back instead of tossing them in the bin. The motif you made is really stunning. Worth the time IMO.
Thank you, Dawn! ❤️
I'm in Ontario Canada and because of you and your channel I've started stalking shirts at the thrift stores. I won't go over $9.99 CAN for a shirt which is still considerably cheaper than quality quilting cottons in my area they typically run $20-23 + per metre! I now have a quilt tops worth of shirts in values of black, grey and white. The coolest one I found was typed font on a white shirt! To be perfectly honest, I will NOT pay $20 bucks for fabric unless it's something I can wear! You commented about not getting pink shirts in the mid west, maybe not but you can get fabric dye and white shirts! Still cheaper than quilting cottons!
I’m in Nova Scotia and we have an awesome hospital thrift shop where the most wonderful 100% cotton shirts They have fill up a bag for $5 sales. Up from $2!
THANKS FOR SHARING THIS COST EFFECTIVE QUILT AND MORE !!!
I love all your videos! In my heart I want to quilt using cotton shirts, but alas - so much effort shopping and cutting them up, and I have production quotas (27 grandchildren, and foster kids’ quilts, and veterans). So I can’t meet my quotas unless I use yardage. 😂 Also, in my very rural area our only used clothing source is an overpriced thrift store. However, there is more than one way to slash those costs. Most of my fabric comes from estate sales, or the free table at quilt guild. I have bought beautiful name brand quilting cottons for fifty cents to a dollar a yard. I picked up red, white and blue fabrics for free last week - at least enough for two quilt tops. I feel like these beautiful fabrics were purchased by someone with good intentions, and I rescue the fabrics and allow them to be what they were meant to be all along - quilts to wrap a veteran or a foster child, or a nursing home patient, or a grandchild, in love. I also buy bolts of some colors for $5 a yard (Missouri Star - sale on Riley Blake bolts today, four bolts coming my way) and shop thrifty every way possible, including longarming them myself - meanders, loops, leaves, or hearts, because that is my skill level. In my heart I want to cut up shirts and build beautiful Catbird-inspired quilts, salvage my tiny cutoffs transformed into HSTs, and even hand quilt them sitting on my couch watching Britbox, but for now - quotas! “We hates it.” Cracked me up! As you often do. I am going to continue watching you, and learning, but mostly just enjoying the conversation. And some day I am going to make quilts from shirts. I wait for the day someone asks me - Can you take my loved one’s shirts and make me a memory quilt? I will jump at it, armed with knowledge. Thank you.
Oh my goodness, thank you, Elaine! ❤️ What a wonderful comment! Yes, I totally get it! While for me the time spent shopping and cutting shirts apart is enjoyable and worthwhile, I do not have high production and if I did, there would be no way I could do it all with shirts!! But we don't have to have the same methods to appreciate each other's bargain shopping and cost-cutting measures! 😘 I'm so glad you're with me here on YT! And what a great day it will be when you can make that requested memory quilt---you'll be ready!!
I really like your quilt much more than the other one.
Wow! I love your breakdown of the tale of 2 quilts cost. I also like to use shirts for my sewing quilts. I like doing this because of cutting the cost but also the game of it all. The way you discussed the breakdown was great. Thanks for your efforts.
Thank you, Debbie!❤️
This was fun to listen too and learn. It reminded me of my grandma using previously used fabrics. And I still have quite a few of them that I use and I’m 71 yrs. New subscriber also
In Canada fabric is very expensive at fabric stores. $20.00 to $28.00 per meter! Even tho used shirts at a second store are not cheap, usually about 8.00 to 12.00 per shirt. I try to ONLY buy fabric on clearance sales. I have noticed lately that we have fabric stores, not big chains ones, going out of business. I think that quilters are having a hard time affording high price fabric. My two cents
So true, fabrics are expensive in Canada.
Yes fabric in Canada is very expensive. 22 to 28 meter. Used shirts are anywhere from 12 - 18. Depends on the thrift store.
We have lost 2 Fabricland stores one in Winnipeg and one in portage la prairie in the last couple years 😢
That shirt you are wearing would be great in a quilt as others have noted! LOL OMG, the letter B and Golom reference made me spill my coffee today! 🤣🤣🤣 Your comparisons are valid I believe as those of us where shirts are more expensive, also pay exponentially more for fabric from a quilt store. My quilt store does sell by the inch/cm which is great. Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Sylvie and yes, I have *seriously* thought about cutting up that shirt and using it in a quilt! You know my quirky sense of humor---so glad it made you laugh! ❤️
Me too! I thought the same, but then thought how pretty it is as a shirt! Many times I’ve wished I could wear yummy quilts that I see😅
Funny, I thought the same thing... I'd love to cut that shirt up. Great colors in that shirt, Cathy, I'm going to be on the lookout to see when it turns up in one of your beautiful quilts.
Oh, I love the fabric in that blouse! Is that something you made? The pattern and colors remind me of Talbots. Either way, it is beautiful!
Thank you for all the research you did for us. I have a room of fabric.so always left overs. I never buy just enough. I always consider a quilt a gift. So I am thinking I am buying a gift . My cousins gift, he is over 6 feet tall, was so much more than a baby quilt. I would like everyone I love to have a quilt before I pass on! Wouldn't that be a great thing! Hugs from Tampa.
Laura, that WOULD be a great thing! THAT is a good goal, I think. Maybe I'll adopt that hope for myself as well. ❤️ (although that's a LOT of quilts---I tend to love people.) Big hug from me. 😘
That is a wonderful goal, to have given everyone you love a quilt. I heard of a woman whose goal was to make some beautiful quilts before she passed on. And, she did!! I love your goal as well.
This is great. I'd never thought of using thrift store clothing. I make a lot of charity quilts, mostly lap quilts for people undergoing chemo, so soft shirts sound perfect. I'll be doing a tour of our local thrift stores tomorrow! I live in Australia where men love bright patterned shirts so I'm hopeful that I'll find some great fabric. Thanks for the inspiration.
You are so funny! I enjoyed watching your video and subscribed. All quilters have asked this question. I'm sure we all knew the answer, but you have documented it.
The backing with the tiny half square triangles is amazing.
I have recently learned to but at thrift stores! I just got pillowcases for .99 cents each!!! I also had 2 cotton shirts that I had outgrown and cut them up!!!
There are so many ways to curate a fabric stash. Yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores. Learning to quilt as you go allows you to quilt on your own machine. There are several great quilting teachers who have TH-cam channels detailing the methods. Think outside the box, I am very inspired to shop my closet and thrift stores to see what I can deconstr for a future project. Thanks for the inspiration!
Here in the UK I think we’re quite well provided with online shops that will do single fat quarters of most of their stock. It does mean I have to resist the urge to keep adding to my fat quarter stash, simply because I love beautiful fabric, though! A shirt from the charity shop usually costs me a little more than a FQ would, and I get so much more fabric. Thanks for another great informative video Cathy.
Thank you, K!
That was great! I love that you did all that math. I have a whole big bag of men’s XL shirts that I bought to make summer tops, but I just started quilting, so I may have to raid that bag for a quilt. You didn’t mention getting fabric at estate sales, but they are a great source for fabrics, notions, and even sewing machines.
Great video! I live in the Midwest and also struggle to find men’s pink shirts. However, I did see one in my husband’s side of the closet. Hmmmm…..
I as well live in the Midwest and have had luck finding them. Just this weekend, I found one brand new still in the plastic at th goodwill bins. I wish you luck in finding your unicorn. 😊
I wish we could work out a shirt swap---pinks and gingham for flannel and twill! If shipping cross country wasn't so expensive, I bet we'd have lots of folks who would gladly trade!!
@relicsong---you just never know what you'll find at the Goodwill, right?!?
If he hasn’t worn it in a year, it’s fair game 😉
No matter where you purchased your fabric from it was made with love, laughter and well wishes. Great video! This entire message contains zero letters from our sponsor. 😂
Thank you, Destry! ❤️
I make my own clothing, (mostly cottons and wools) for the sheer pleasure of it. I now make huge quilts that go from the floor to floor and can go down memory lane by looking at the fabrics in my quilts. Time consuming but absolutely, gloriously satisfying.
Part of the fun is the hunt for the fabric. Using shirts opens up the endless possibilities of prints and designs.
I agree! 100%! It’s part of the joy and the thrill and making it unique!
Cathy that was such a lovely story! I love how each part of the process played out for this person in your life to receive something so beautiful and lovingly made from you . Even though you were resistant the the vivid colors, you followed the clues from the universe to come full circle and receive and create happiness in your life and your quilters life and Vickie, and then in Shirley’s life! You are a wonderful person!
Well done :). Pink shirts can be found in women’s shirts section. I am a lovely plus size and have been known to forward a pink cotton shirt from time to time to goodwill. Also when I order cotton fabric online from stores like Joann’s it has a 2 yard minimum. But you did a great job in calculating it all. Fascinating! Thanks for all your hard work & sharing it all!
Other potentials for pinks - household linens - check the sheet or pillowcase as usually they are marked for fabric content. Also look at the quality of the fabric, as this can vary a lot too! I am in the Midwest and noticed the lack of men's shirts in pink, purple and similar.
Thank you, Susy! ❤️
And yes, Lucile! I got 3 sheets for $1.99 each---pink, white with pink flowers, and white with pink swirls at my local thrift store!
Hi! My mom sewed "sheets" out of old clothes because we where very poor and could not aford to buy bedding, she would not quilt I guess because she didn't have money to buy batting.
I learned from her to use an old sewing machine wich she still uses to mend and to alterate clothes for herself. She mended a lot of my dad's jeans and shirts that he used in farming, also alterated our clothes like the seams of jeans, change a broken zipper, sew buttons and more. She did it out of necesity and to have a time for herself. Now I get it how much she enjoyed to have that time for herself, it was her way to entertainment after all tbe work involved in raising 8 children.
Hi Tania! Thank you for sharing some of your story! I think a lot of us understand now, as wives and mothers, how needed and meaningful that time spent in handwork, sewing, yarnwork, or even just mending is for our mental and emotional health and happiness. And women all over the world have managed to make ends meet with old clothes and letting out hems and every other manner of reusing and repurposing fabric! What a gift to all the women who come after them to have learned from their thriftiness and skill. ❤️
@@TheCatBirdQuilts❤
Awesome. My son wears nice dress shirts all the time for work. I just texted him that the next time he gets rid of them that I want them. lol
I sew and crochet but I've never quilted before. My son has so many shirts that he's overgrown but hangs onto, since he still loves the prints on them. Seeing this video inspired me to take those precious little shirts and try my hand at making him a little quilt. Thank you so much for posting this, and giving me the inspiration. You're lovely to watch.
I'm catching up on your videos (had to go in order!) and loved your "little Brother" remark. I too have a little Brother machine AND a little brother (62 years old), so I named my machine Pat after him. It's my retreat and my FL snowbird machine.
How fun! (and so clever!) 🤓❤️
I love this video. Can't wait for orange peel tutorial
Thanks, Monica! ❤️
I just found your channel and could listen to you all day! Your gentle spirit shines through! I have a question. I tried to scroll comments but there were so many so I gave up! My question is, do you ever have an issue with perspiration odor? Maybe you’ve covered this in a previous video. I am going to go back to your earliest video and binge.
Sometimes. Although I usually wash my thrift store shirts with a generous amount of vinegar on warm or hot which often gets out odors. OdorKlenz is also excellent for getting out stubborn body odors.
Wow wow your quilt is gorgeous. The back is as beautiful as the front. You are one determined person. Way to go! Great example of saving money.
Thank you, Brenda! ❤️
see the Shirt Quilt: 23:41
GeoGems pattern
see the Yardage Quilt: 09:45
If you press pause before you press the link, the video will be paused when you get there, so you can see it for longer.
Love these quilts, and it is so fun to flip back and forth.
This was a fabulous tutorial!!!!!!!
I have my own 1/2 ton of stash material, but I've also been gifted almost another 1/2 ton of
retro, vintage, prints and solids, along with threads and misc. Seeing how you've penciled it out has made my heart very happy and raring to dig in and get it sorted and added to my stash. Thank you so much for your time and efforts ❤❤❤
I love your quilt back! What a good idea for those left over triangles!
Thank you, Peggy!
Yes! Your quilt back is stunning!
Superb video & info…
I began thrifting denim & men’s shirts for making rag quilts to sell… As I began looking for flannel men’s shirts, I noticed how so many shirts had such very nice fabrics (prints, hand & quality)-that’s when my thoughts went to regular quilting using that thrifted shirt fabric-so much of it is too nice to use for rag quilting LOL!!
Although it's not an out-of-pocket cost, thrifting clothes for materials takes extra time. Besides cutting them apart to 'flatten them out,' you have to play around with fitting the pattern pieces so as to make the most of your oddly shaped pieces. So, if you put a price on your time, you'd have more involved in thrift-sewing. It's still fun to do and worth it! I go to rummage sales on the last day when it's bag day-- everything you can shove into a bag for a fixed price!
Thank you. That helped quite a bit . I am amazed and it gives me hope for quilting.
I moved to KCMO from SoCal and the thrifting here is stellar. And affordable.
Also KCMO area and in full agreement.
I usually don't spend the time with talky tutorials. But...this was fun. Makes me want to go see how cheaply I can make a quilt. Enjoyed it - thanks!
Loved the whole premise of the show. Very interesting.
That was so informative. It's amazing how expensive fabric can be, and how we can make adjustments.
Beautiful work and fantastic savings. And even at $60 for a total of 10 shirts, you'll still use the fabric leftover for other projects. For people who may not have access to thrift stores, or even those who do, I'd be looking for items being discarded due to damage, such as stains, minor tears, discolored collars, etc. One can always discard the bad parts, and use the good. ,I've seen huge bundles of clothing being prepped for shipment elsewhere ( stuff that doesn't sell) at the back area of thrift stores. I don't know if or how one could acquire such but I'd be asking store managers. And I'd also put up posts on local and neighborhood social media sites for unwanted shirts, as sometimes people dispose of such items rather than donating and are happy to have you take their stuff. I've been real lucky in acquiring items that way, as well as helping others who have posted in need of.
Fascinating experiment! What an eye opener. Beautiful quilts in both cases. Loved this video. 💕
Thank you, Cassie!
Todays video brought to you by the letter “B” 😂
Great work today! Need to go shirt shopping
Thank you, Kim! ❤️ Also, I'm glad someone else laughed at that. I may crack myself up, but I'm not ever sure anyone else thinks it's funny. 😂
I love this comparison. It’s funny how Jennifer’s and your quilts’ coloraways looked so similar. And once again comparing a FQ to the shirt pieces is eye opening. TFS
Thank you, Dedra! ❤️ It never ceases to amaze me how much fabric is in a shirt!!
Womens skirts, cotton sheets, drapery, all of those are potential quilt grade fabric!
I've made tons of quilts from old office shirts and use bedsheets for backings. Dylon is my best friend!
Two beautiful quilts and such an interesting video. Thank you so much! All towns are different of course. We do have a Goodwill in my town. I have never been there. I will consider going. I buy my fabric online but we do have a Joann's in my town that I did buy all of my fabric at previous to buying online. I had never heard of designers that sold patterns for quilts and their own line of fabrics before until about 6 years ago and I was hooked. I fell in love with about 6 designer's fabrics, patterns and spent a fortune I hate to say but I also will say I am 71 now, a retired nurse of years and have been quilting for 44 years. I decided not to buy anymore fabric until I used up most of what I have, (I should be about 150 years old by then) but love every fabric and pattern I do have. All the designer's I follow have TH-cam channels and I love following them.
Im lucky to have a thrift store near me that sells shirts for 50 cents and has 1 weekend a month when they are 25 cents.The proceeds go to battered women and people in need of food. So it makes me feel good to shop there and I also donate things there which helps me to clear the clutter as well. I live in Oklahoma and clothes are a dime a dozen here. But Goodwills here are up to $5.99 for shirts too. Which I feel is crazy considering they are supposed to help support those on low income, and minimum wage hasn't increased like the price of those shirts. Anyways...on a tangent. Thanks for the inspiration and affirmation. Its always good to hear your cheerful voice, keep up the great work.😃
Well I live in Greece and on the island that I live on, we don’t have thrift shops but we have bazaars. Something like a yard sale in your country. These bazaars are only held outside of the tourist season. I can buy 100% cotton shirts for a euro. I also get dresses and skirts anything 100% cotton. I only use recycled clothing in all my quilts. When I visit England I sometimes manage to get new fabric from the charity shops but not often. Fabric here in Greece is expensive too.
The design on the back is perfect!
Impressive, thank you. Explains very well the importance and fun of upcycling
I recently made a quilt with my gpa’s shirts plus thrifted shirts as filler. I love the information provided here. The thing that holds me back the most is the prep time of prepping the shirts so they’re usable as fabric. It’s a lot. But worth it if that’s what you’re after. Just not an approach I want to take personally on all of my quilts. Of course the point here is that it doesn’t have to be pricey if you’re willing to bargain shop and take the extra time. Anyone can truly quilt! Thank you for this Cathy!
Just brilliant! ❤ shirts here in South Australia stay from about $7aud. Since covid - 2nd hand everything - has skyrocketed..
I am in the Dallas, Texas area and still find shirts for 2.99 to 5.99 range. Thanks for your experiment!
You're so welcome! And $2.99 to $5.99 is a great price range in my opinion!
Thank you, Cathy, for doing this comparison for us!! Awesome information!! I am in the Midwest and while not in abundance (in the wild) I do find plenty of pink men's shirts. Possibly it is because I "frequent" the stores?? Usually once a week. Love the Geo Gems quilts and both of your choices in fabrics. Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you so much, Cathy!❤️ And yes, those of us that shop a lot find those pink shirts, and every other crazy, unicorn shirts out there! 😂
And I use sheets from my thrift stores and that’s a BIG saving and great quality cotton 👏👏👏
I'm currently sitting in my crafting/sewing space working on my second baby quilted blanket. All of the materials are brand new, so I'm counting full purchase prices, not discounting for actual materials used. I'm using solid fabric sections, neither side is pieced, the batting is brand new and I'm quilting it myself on my Janome. For 2 quilted blankets, I spent $243 on materials. One side is cotton, the second side is a polyester-wool blend woven plaid in the Spirit of Scotland tartan. Those second sides cost me $160 for 4 yards tax included. The only difference between the quilts is the pattern with which I'm quilting them. These baby boys are very special, so I figured that they are worth the added expense.
Dress shirts and sheets are probably going to be my materials going forward for a while. I also have 40 memory bears and bunnies to make using my grandparents' clothing after my grandpa passes. I come from a large extended family.
I checked out my community thrift store the other day and discovered that all adult clothing is $2 a piece unless otherwise marked. The store isn't very big and neither is their selection, but that is a really good price for my area. If I go to the bigger thrift stores in the bigger neighboring cities, I will find a bigger selection but probably at a high price per shirt.
Very interesting and helpful. Thanks. And both quilts are lovely.
Excellent video! always use shirts and sheets, table clothes, duvets, whatever thrifted cotton I can find🇮🇪🧵🧷🪡 I enjoy my quilts so much more when I do them this way. Have used old wool blankets for batting but heavy to quilt. Recently discovered fleece for backs and can leave out batting for lighter quilt and works well.
How great this is for the environment and less landfill. Thank you for your videos
So cool! I am a sometimes quilter, so don't have a lot of stash. This is a fabulous method of stashing some beautiful fabrics, without spending a ton. I do unfortunately currently reside in the NW of the US, so beautiful pink fabrics will be few and far between, but I'll keep an eye out for interesting prints.
This was fascinating! I hate quilting as well, but am addicted to piecing the tops! I will definitely reconsider the thrift shop idea! I always wondered about this! I already get the $15-$20 fabric bags from thrift stores, but this could be a better way!
Absolutely fascinating to watch & hear actually the savings are...superb task completed; well done! Thank you for sharing.
Quilts were originally made out of the scraps of good parts of the fabric left when a garment was too worn to use anymore, or from small pieces left from making clothes from new fabrics. The whole point was to not waste fabric, to make something useful from something that was too small to be otherwise of use. I could never understand the rise of modern “quilting,” where you purposefully purchased fabric only to make a quilt. The value in old quilts was the “life” the garments they were made from had seen, the remembrance of people whose clothes you used in them, and the artfulness of making a beautiful pattern when you had limited scraps to work with. “Rediscovering” the idea of making quilts from pre-used fabric is hilarious.
That was so awesome how you did the comparison. Thank you & you made it so much fun to watch. Blessings! 💞
TY for sharing this interesting project. It was a labour of love. (cuz it's a baby quilt, LOL.) It is almost shocking how much we can save, when we put in the effort. The comparison is really striking. And you cannot call one better/ prettier/ superior to the other.
Thank you, Diane! ❤️
I am doing a quilt guild challenge project, and I'm using men's shirts for the first time. I find the most challenging thing is that when a shirt is gone, it is gone! That could force me to improvise, which is interesting.
Love your channel. You inspired me a year ago to shop the thrift store for quality fabric/shirts. I have so much I now, I now shop my own stash when looking to start a new quit. It’s addictive, just completed 3 lap quits all from thrifted material and shirts. My local thrift store here in SC has men shirts for about $2. Sometimes $1 or 50 cents. I have so much now, I am very picky about quality and what I buy. Love it!!
Oh my goodness, thank you, Regina! ❤️ And yes it IS addictive (and fun!) to shop for and quilt with shirts! (and I'm picky too now for the same reasons!) 😘
Hey, Cathy! This video just popped up on my stream, and I’m SO glad it did! You have definitely shown a great comparison btwn using quilting fabric and thrifted shirting. I have picked up a for embellishing jean jackets and sweatshirts. Now you’ve convinced m3 to do so for other projects as well. This would make a huge savings on donation quilts. Just think…3 for the price of 1!
Interesting that you mentioned denim shirts. I have been thrifting denim jeans for quilting and bagmaking projects. My absolute best deal was found when was camping in the Midwest in 2022. I found new long, wide-leg, cropped denim jeans-in both blue and black-for $5 USF on sal3 at a Walmart. I snapped up all of the XXL that they had. Bonus…they had buttoned flys (flies?…Hmmmm…is the plural for the fly in pants different that of the pesky insect??). But I digress. My plan is to use these as accents on future bags. I think they would be particularly fabulous incorporated in the bags made of jeans hems designed by Don Kym on his channel . Are you familiar with him? He upcycled as sorts of clothing-particularly shirts and jeans. Love his channel!
You are a delight! You have truly brightened my day. You bring such joy to your channel-much like Amy Dement.
I’m now subscribed to your channel, and I am looking binge-watching your past videos!
Thank you, and stay well!
EDIT: I’m half way through your wedding quilt video from a year ago, and I’m pretty sure that I caught a video of you shopping a thrift store with your husband. The comment re thrifting for linens tweaked my memory.
Muskoka ON 🇨🇦😅,
I love this idea, I’ve been working with fabric that I collected while working at Joanns. This is a wonderful way to do quilts without spending all that money, I’ll absolutely consider this for future projects!