Earlier this year i decided to work with recycled men's shirts. In my area the salvation army has 5 for $5 fridays. after my first purchase i was obsessed! i wound up with 80!! Washed them in hot water, starched, cut them into large pieces then was stumped. Finally decided to cut them all into 5" charms (accucut studio) and 2 3/4" "quarter charms". BTW, a man's shirt yields 40 to 55 charms, plus a variable number of 1/4 charms. I made a quilt of my own design and then found the Nickle Quilts books by Pat Speth. I have other quilts planned and these 3 tops are not quilted yet... another board member asked me to post my wip. I admire scrappy quilts but I'm a mathematician so I have a hard time just grabbing and sewing, but I pushed myself on the first 2 (still need lots of work on color values), then succumbed to a more ordered one for the third.

First pic. my design, 'lil twister border.
Pic Two "Woodland Clover" from "More Nickle Quilts",
pic three "Pinwheels on Parade" from "More Nickle Quilts",

I love these shirt quilts! Beautiful. I like quilts made from shirts.

These are wonderful! You have a great eye for color and fabrics.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

awesome, our local thrift store used to have $.25 cent Fridays, now it is $.50 friday..and there is NO cotton shirts any more...they sell them by the pound online the lady told me...go figure...
but I do have about 200 of them stored and ready to cut apart!

And my mom makes fun of me for doing just that! Your quilts are great! I havent done it yet but I intend to. thanks for the inspiration!

I like the look of them. But isn't the fabric rather thin? My granmother made the most wonderful pineapple pattern quilt for me using old shirts and dresses. Unfortunately, some pieces pretty soon showed some wear and got torn.

woodland clover is my favorite

Beautiful!!! We live in a rural area and the men wear their clothes until they wear out lol!!!

I looked for flannel shirts in out thrift store and they were $7 each.

Maybe I should visit you lol!

These are really beautiful. Having the time of my life looking at all the different designs.

What a great idea, there was a quilter on that was looking for an economicical way to get fabrics hope she see this.

Your quilts are beautiful. It just goes to show you that you don't have to have a lot of money to make nice quilts.

Very nice!

beautiful quilts!

Just beautiful. Love your patterns.

Wowie Zowie... Love your bright quilts!

Those are wonderful.

Do I dare show my husband why I stare at his shirts a drool? He has so many beautiful plaid shirts that just aren't wearing out.

beatiful, all three!

Well done! Anyone who says quilters aren't "green" have never seen this type of quilt. Thanks

Yes, I ran into that problem with one of my great grandmother's quilts. I solved it by either replacing the patch (a lot of work) or simply appliquéing a new patch over the torn one. That's faster, and you'd be surprised at how nice it looks.

Super!! I'm bookmarking your post.

The quilts are beautiful. Don't underestimate your own eye for color. Yes it's helpful to study primary versus secondary colors, tone, depth, the color wheel, etc., but I did my first project without knowing anything about those things, and I thought it turned out great. Now I know a lot more, and my work will improve, no doubt. In my opinion, we are all always on a learning curve, which is one of the things I love about quilting. And I'd say you're off to a grand start!

Shhhh! Don't tell anyone, but I spend a lot of time at Good Will and the Salvation Army. You wouldn't believe the gems I've found there! And don't forget consignment shops too. I've picked up 100% cotton shirts and blouses for cheap, and they still had the tags on them! And don't forget skirts, dresses and draperies. It's always "check the fabric". If the fabric is good, and what you want, and not worn out, and something you'll actually use, it's a bargain.

Love them all, especially number three.

I love it.

Excellent! I wouldn't have thought you could get such a truly lovely quilt from old shirts.

These are great!!!

I love the look of these quilts.

Around here they really look over the shirts before they put them out. I read that I should look out for thin, worn shirts, and check the underarm area for staining and wear, but haven't found any issues like that. I have only purchased 1 shirt with a spot, and it was very small. there were a couple that were more of a looser homespun weave and i just made sure that they were sewn next to a tightly woven one & used a bit smaller stitch.

The bonus is that while looking for cotton (and going every week ;-) ) I was also able to purchase about 8 washable SILK shirts, for a buck each!!!! Most are Aloha prints in a jacquard weave in pastel colors. Can't wait to start on those!

Wow! All gorgeous!

Check out Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville if you have not already.

The proper thing to do with those torn areas is just to applique a new piece right over the torn or worn pieces and give the quilt new life. Best wishes!

Who knew a bunch of old shirts could be so lovely?!! Your quilts are really beautiful. Thanks for sharing them.

I love them! We have been making a lot of "recycled items into quilts, your's really turned out nice!

I made a keepsake quilt out of my maternity clothes when I had my Daughter! It was the first, now I make lots of recycled keepsake quilts, your imagination is your best tool.

You have done some really beautiful work!

Holy Moly I love them all...great work... :thumbup:

Terrific use of cast-offs! I only need to go through our closet for such finds.

They are beautiful. What a great idea. I think I will look for some old shirts.

Wow, you did awesome!! I really like the way they turned out, especially the pinwheel!

Wow! So many pieces! What a terrific job!

The quilts are neat!

Your quilts are beautiful!! Congratulations on your finds!!