I love the idea of using something old to make a memory gift. Maybe you could make Christmas ornaments for family members. I did this for a friend - ornaments from a favorite sport coat that her father wore. He was a pediatrician and I made "stuffed" rocking horses from the fabric and glued them on a tongue depressor that I had soaked in water and bent to fit. Everyone thought they were great and each family member had something small to keep. I think your shirts would make wonderful "stuffed" ornaments.

Loved all of the ideas people have shared. I especially loved the button pillow, a framed collage with a picture, and the christmas ornament. Don't know how many you have to make for, if it's a lot, keep it simple. Everyone will love and appreciate whatever you decide to do.

You can always take the leftover scraps from making the quilts and make a few mug rugs for others that were close to him. Great project!

Do you happen to have a picture of one that you used the cuffs and button facings on? I have a friend who lost her DH at the beginning of the school year in an automobild accident. Both teachers I taught with. She wants to use his shirts and t shirts to make quilts for her children, a Sr. in HS and a Freshman in College this year. She doesn't sew, and I told her I would help her, but never thought of using the cuffs or lapels from the shirts, Interested in seeing yours if you have pics. and don't mind my using your idea.

Use the BQ pattern it is great for shirt quilts.

You can use the pockets to sew on squares for a pocket quilt. I saw one made by a lady on the internet. One of a kind made that way.

I know EXACTLY how you feel!!! My Mom died Jan 1 2008 - two days before her 94th birthday. She made most of her own clothes the majority of her life as she sewed for others [a dressmaker/tailor - mustve made a couple of dozen wedding dresses, etc]. I have kept all of her clothes thinking I should make scrappy quilts for at least all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren [6g and 7g-g] ....but they are still in bags! I keep thinking that my Mom is furious as she always wanted to help others and would want me to get off the schtick and do something!! My friend suggested keeping it simple - pick one or two and make simple teddybears... just a thought. Good luck

After my uncle passed away a couple years ago, my aunt used his flannel shirts to have memory bears made from them for herself & her kids. They was very cute. She doesn't sew but someone in her grieving support group was making them.

I bought an apron pattern that uses a man's shirt. It uses the cuff for a pocket and part of the back to make little ruffles down the front. It's very cute---much cuter than the picture shows on the pattern. Go to ApronAlley.etsy.com

I would recommend using the snowball pattern to make a quilt out of shirts. I got the idea from the Feb 2009 issue of AmericanPatchwork & Quilting magazine, calling the quilt made out of shirting fabric "So many Snowballs". I'm preparing to make a quilt using shirts from my husband, no longer in use. This is a quilt I'm making for myself. I wish you the best on whatever you choose to do!