If you do one with a more miltary theme, you might want to print pictures of him in uniform at various time in his career and and them to the quilt.

HE WORE COTTON BUTTON DOWNS AND COTTON/POLY PANTS.

THAT IS A GOOD IDEA. I WAS ALSO GOING TO LOOK UP THE MEDALS AND RIBBONS ONLINE TO BE ABLE TO PRINT THEM OUT.

So sorry for your loss, it will bring you much comfort to make the quilt I am sure.

Were you wanting something to cuddle in, or something to look at? If you want more a "look at" type of quilt, I have an idea.

Take the front of the shirt, cut so that the pocket is somewhat central on the square (some blocks could include a strip of the buttons too). Then put all the pocket blocks on a wall hanging. Then, you have the pockets to tuck in little things he gave you (jewelry, wood whittling he did for you), or notes/cards he wrote you, or you could write little memories down and tuck them in. You could put photos in the pockets, etc. If you include anything, maybe would be best to put in scrapbooking acid free plastic envelopes or photo holding sheets to protect the photo and the quilt. This would also be a way to display his medals.

If you want a cuddling quilt, why not put a couple of the pockets on the end of a rectangular quilt, so that you could use it like a shawl, then tuck your hands in his shirt pockets to wrap around you.

I know you will think of the quilt that will be perfect for you.

That is a wonderful idea. It would probably be better to display then cuddle. I don't want anything to happen to it, because I will be handing it down to my daughter.
Thank you,

Littlebit, I am so sorry about your Dad. I think it's a wonderful idea to make a quilt with his shirts. I have been saving some of my Dad's to make this quilt.

http://thethriftyquilter.blogspot.co...e-thrifty.html

But that string quilt has really got my attention! I think I like it even better.

I'm sorry you lost your dad. I would recommend not mixing the fabric types since they will handle differently in the wash, and they have a different weight. One of the patterns that comes to mind is the log cabin.

Do you have any pictures of your dad/family? You could have them printed on fabric (muslin) and surround them with strips of the shirts.

I'm sure it will be a wonderful memory that will last a long time.

You mentioned a few times that you use a "regular sewing machine" - that is what most of us use as well. So don't worry about the sewing part. If you can sew a straight stitch, you can make a quilt top.

I think most of us use a plain "straight stitch" when we piece our blocks.

So it doesn't matter how fancy or not fancy your machine is if it does a decent straight stitch.

Anyone do anything else?

Now when it comes to embellishing, appliqueing, and embroidery - that's something else.