Shirts from thrift store......
 

After reading B. Hunter's book Scraps &Shirttails, I decided to "try" cutting into shirts.... Found 5 at local Goodwill on 50 percent off deal, washed and cut into one...My question is....do you save all those buttons...how about the collar and cuffs that have the stiffening on it. I will finish "repurposing" these shirts but am not sure I will do this again. Any thoughts on this?

I don't save anything other then plain flat fabric from shirts and usually just cut the back and front and open the sleeves for fabric. And I don't buy used shirts unless they are 2xx or larger. If I get desperate for fabric I may save every inch but I'm not into having a green needle.

I don't save/use any fabric from the collar or cuffs unless it is a very unusual print. As for the buttons, I do save them most of the time. And I also try to get the biggest size of shirt to get the most fabric.

What a great idea, never thought of it. Guess I have to hit the thrift store today.

What a great idea to gather fabrics for a scrappy quilt....I will have to make a run to our local thrift store.....do you think you could get a fat quarters worth of fabric from a shirt?

I just went to my goodwill this morning. Ours must just be higher priced than everybody else's. $4 for a shirt. $4.50 for a belt and $1.50 for men's ties. They don't do bag days very often either. I just want this stuff for crafting; I can't imagine if I needed to purchase there for everyday wearing. But back to your question if I use a shirt I always save the buttons. I have a button addiction even if they are the plain white ones! New buttons can be pricey!

I save the buttons myself. A couple of my favorites I saved the cuffs in case I ever get around to using the tute to make wallets out of them. Also I know there are a number of people on the board that collect buttons.

I just finished a rag/denim quilt using plaid shirts... some of DH's, and some from local thrift shops... I chose for fabric (was looking for pretty plaids) and ended up with a couple of children's sizes and managed to get enough for 2 blocks, plus a few good scrap pieces. I, too, save buttons.... just love buttons and will try to do something with them sometime. I found several shirts on the sale rack and they were $.50 each. A few others I paid $3... all-in-all, I think I spent about $35 for shirts and have a LOT of fabric left over for another quilt I'm working on next week at a retreat. Once I get the quilt laundered, I'll try to post a pic... I'm a new fan of the thrift store!!!

The Salvation Army store is much cheaper then Goodwill. Goodwill here is overpriced on the clothing. We have a Savers store and when there is a 50% or bag sale, the shirts are a good buy. I won't pay over $1.50 for big size 100% cotton shirt. I find some very interesting prints in the men's shirts.

Quite a while back there was a tutorial on cutting up a men's shirt to get the most fabric out of it. I can't find it now, but someone may remember the tute.

I was wondering how much fabric can come from one shirt and just how economical it would be. Goodwill here is also more expensive than it used to be.

I'm not familiar with the tute using cuffs. Sounds interesting.

http://www.quiltville.com/ scroll down until you get to the video called Deboning a shirt

I think I will do the yard sales this summer. Never thought of using shirts, though I used to get big skirted dresses and make my girls clothes out of them. I love to yard sale. Thanks for the idea.

I would save buttons, but not the collor or cuffs.

I am working on a quilt of my Dad's shirts. I did decide to cut the cuffs off but I have used the button down portion of the sleive for added interest in the quilt. Also have used some short sleive shirts and the cuff on those! All of my dad's shirts were a men's smalll or youth large and I do have left over material that I will use in other special items later. Kept every button and they will be re-added to the quilt later. Hope to post pictures soon.

Wow you guys would love our thrift store today all blue taged items were 10cents can you believe I did not buy anything!

i bought about 6 white dress shirts----- 18 1/2in necks that were extra long and tall at a goodwill store several yrs ago. used most of them up since. loved the good deal.

I was determined to use one of the cuffs, I ended up making a bowtie block with collar for a friends quilt. Turned out pretty cool.

Don't forget women's dresses and skirts!! Can be a whole lot of fabric in long ones and, of course, usually more feminine patterns and colors.

Lisalisa, that quilt is just too cool!! Love it!!

I've never bought shirts---only large size long women's cotton dresses, which are about $4 at our Goodwill. I only use the flat areas of fabric, no collars, cuffs, etc.

Goodwill in our area is high priced. I don't shop there. We have a Hope House that I use. I also go to our country auction where you can buy a box of shirts for $4 to $5. That is a real bargain as you can see the shirts before you buy.

I think all the Goodwill stores charge to much for the stuff that don't cost them anything. I quit giving to them.
we have a church that has a thrift store and they have been in business almost 20 years all proceeds go to help children. and send some to camp this is a good thing Goodwill stores are getting so high i know they help people but you know some folks can't afford a 4.00 shirt and 5.00 pants u can get brand new at the dollar general or family dolllar

True. Our Salvation Army has 50% off clothing sales every Wed. If I need something I always make sure I go then. You have to watch though. They put clothing out even if it's stained.

Yes, I like the subtle woven designs on men's dress shirts for background (I guess that is why it is called shirting fabric) as I was re-purposing the shirts I noticed all the buttons were pretty much the same, so at one point if I continue to do this I wll not save those buttons, unless they are different.....I only bought those that were 50% off...so instead of 3.99each was 1.99.

Definitely, and more. I use the inside back and use the portion with the manufacturer's label. Some of those are beautiful and add interest to the finished product.

Here is another thing I do with thrift store shirts. Sold several at a craft show last year.

I would save all the buttons...They are expensive to buy and make good embelishments..

using used shirts
 

Go to Bonnie Hunter's site and there should be a place you can watch her video about deboning a shirt. She saves it all. Very interesting.

ohhhhh how dang cute are those.... what a great idea... if I may ask.. how much did you sell them for?

Oh, I forgot my favorite thing to do with men's dress shirts. I make these in all colors and go wild with the trim fabrics. The only thing you need to watch on the size is to make sure it will go around your tummy. I have made many of these, and everyone loves them.

Go for the largest shirts first!! Now if you find one that is "just the right color" go for it but the XX's are the most bang for your buck!!

don't forget to incorporate the labels, I've made 2 or 3 men's shirt quilts and have cut the square and the pocket/label intack. My friend collected all plaids and stripes and did a chinese coin

I repurposed my fathers flannel shirts into a lap/twin quilt for my mom...when my dad passed away. I even used one pair of his jeans to make it more interesting. Used the shirt labels and pockets right in the quilt top! backed it with flannel, warm, comfy, and full of memories. We all snuggle with it when we are home.--I am a fan of re-purpose especially memory quilting

I went to our local "new" Goodwill last week and they are very proud of their merchandise. I think their prices are pretty silly....especially for items which are obviously used and some in not so great condition. The Salvation Army is not much less.

I have a large bin of deconctructed shirts waiting for me to get "a round tuit". Love Bonnie Hunter- took a class with her at Vermont Quiltfest last Spring. I save the buttons in a jar, and cuffs and collars if there's a decent amt of fabric in them that can be removed from any interfacing. I've used the scraps (seams, plackets) as firestarters since I only buy 100% cotton shirts. My local Thrift has men's shirts for $1, and ties are cheap also so I've been collecting silk ties. I started saving shirt and tie labels also. If anyone can spare "a round tuit" - please send it my way before the ground thaws and I have to clean up the garden and yard? Goodwill prices are rediculous! I stopped there this week and prices were $8.99 and up for dirty and torn shirts!

The front plackets and the cuffs and the collars can be cute embellishments.

We have a Thrift Store in North Fork, that has everything on Sale on Tuesday and Thursday. Everything in the store (clothing) is a quarter. Get lots of big shirts that way. It is fun

Oh, Mercy! Just what I need. Another sewing project.

Thanks for sharing----------will be trying this.