Quilt of Mens Shirts
#1
Quilt of Mens Shirts
The next quilt I plan on making is one made of mens' dress shirts/ cotton shirts. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on making it. Some tips that would help me make the most out of this quilt.
My biggest worry is how different a quilt of mens' shirts will hold up (when being made and after) compared to quilters cotton.
My plan is to ask my male friends if they have any dress shirts that they no longer need, etc. Most of them are engineering students so they have nice clothes for co-ops...but they are still college student, but I bet their shirts don't last as long as others haha. But we'll have to see. Then once I've exhausted that resource, I'll probably head over to Savers/ Goodwill to see what I can find.
And I've already named it. It's the boyfriend quilt. Hopefully you guys get why I've named it so.
My biggest worry is how different a quilt of mens' shirts will hold up (when being made and after) compared to quilters cotton.
My plan is to ask my male friends if they have any dress shirts that they no longer need, etc. Most of them are engineering students so they have nice clothes for co-ops...but they are still college student, but I bet their shirts don't last as long as others haha. But we'll have to see. Then once I've exhausted that resource, I'll probably head over to Savers/ Goodwill to see what I can find.
And I've already named it. It's the boyfriend quilt. Hopefully you guys get why I've named it so.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
Go to www.quiltville.com for Bonnie Hunter's video on the quickest way to de-bone a shirt for quilting cotton. She uses recycled shirts in her quilting and there are great free patterns on her site as well.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4,061
I buy a lot of men's shirts at thrift store when they've been marked down .... usually down to $.25 to $.50 each .... almost always a good selection but it takes several months to gather all I need for a quilt. I usually search out plaids or stripes in cottons or cotton blends .... flannel takes longer to gather. Have fun! they make exciting quilts.
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Here are some I made:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t153884.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t209062.html
I got most of mine from the Salvation Army. The SAs in this area are great for culling out shirts with problems (stains, rips etc.) so mine were all in pretty good shape. If long sleeved, look at the elbows for wear. If the fabric looks thin, don't use this portion. Also, look at the underarm area. If it looks discolored at all, cut it out. It's my understanding that deodorant can weaken the fibers. I think I've made 3 more quilts that I didn't post. Cutting everything into charm squares really simplified things for me. The shirts were different weights, and all played nicely together. They were all 100% cotton, or a linen cotton blend. no Poly. I know some have been washed a couple of times and are still in good shape.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t153884.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t209062.html
I got most of mine from the Salvation Army. The SAs in this area are great for culling out shirts with problems (stains, rips etc.) so mine were all in pretty good shape. If long sleeved, look at the elbows for wear. If the fabric looks thin, don't use this portion. Also, look at the underarm area. If it looks discolored at all, cut it out. It's my understanding that deodorant can weaken the fibers. I think I've made 3 more quilts that I didn't post. Cutting everything into charm squares really simplified things for me. The shirts were different weights, and all played nicely together. They were all 100% cotton, or a linen cotton blend. no Poly. I know some have been washed a couple of times and are still in good shape.
#8
Your quilts are fantastic looking. I hope to make a shirt quilt one day too. Love the look of them.
Here are some I made:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t153884.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t209062.html
I got most of mine from the Salvation Army. The SAs in this area are great for culling out shirts with problems (stains, rips etc.) so mine were all in pretty good shape. If long sleeved, look at the elbows for wear. If the fabric looks thin, don't use this portion. Also, look at the underarm area. If it looks discolored at all, cut it out. It's my understanding that deodorant can weaken the fibers. I think I've made 3 more quilts that I didn't post. Cutting everything into charm squares really simplified things for me. The shirts were different weights, and all played nicely together. They were all 100% cotton, or a linen cotton blend. no Poly. I know some have been washed a couple of times and are still in good shape.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t153884.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t209062.html
I got most of mine from the Salvation Army. The SAs in this area are great for culling out shirts with problems (stains, rips etc.) so mine were all in pretty good shape. If long sleeved, look at the elbows for wear. If the fabric looks thin, don't use this portion. Also, look at the underarm area. If it looks discolored at all, cut it out. It's my understanding that deodorant can weaken the fibers. I think I've made 3 more quilts that I didn't post. Cutting everything into charm squares really simplified things for me. The shirts were different weights, and all played nicely together. They were all 100% cotton, or a linen cotton blend. no Poly. I know some have been washed a couple of times and are still in good shape.
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