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.

I saw one one time that was made to showcase men's ties. So, if you can talk those friends out of thier ties too, you should have one humdinger of a quilt. Good luck!

Sounds like a great idea. Please post a photo when you have completed your quilt.

Quilt from Men's Shirts
 

Here is a quilt a friend made from his shirts.

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.

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.

Your quilts are fantastic looking. I hope to make a shirt quilt one day too. Love the look of them.

Here are ones I posted recently

The cotton fabric may not last as long as the cotton/poly fabric but the quilt as a whole will probably last 50-100 years. How long do you need it to last?

Holice, I love your quilt!

I saw a quilt once that was made with blocks that looked like a man's dress shirt!
The neatest thing but I never found it again! The block looked like a folded mans shirt with the collar and a cuff folded over the chest like you might find in the store. It was different!

http://www.quilterswarehouse.com/p-5...-n-graves.aspx

This is a shirt and tie!

The above post didn't have a cuff but it was a short sleve shirt with a straight bottom on a on point block.

NattySHirts.com custom dress shirts are made-to-order. So, you get a perfect fit every time. Guaranteed!

If you can find an senior gentleman who has company shirts you may find that all the colour blend together. You can also use the pockets as part of the quilt. A group of quilters in UK use men's shirts to make quilts for disabled soldiers etc they love the pockets when they don't have pockets in wheelchairs etc

My avatar is a quilt made from my Dad's shirts after he passed. If someone can help me, I'll see if I can upload a bigger picture.

Turned out awesome. Bit of advise, have stabalizer on hand. Some shirts will need it while others will not.

I think the cotton fabric shirts will last as long as the cotton quilt shop fabric we use now....

Even men's 100% cotton shirts come in various 'thicknesses' - some have a "light hand" some have a "firm hand".

WHEN/IF I get around to making one (or 5 because I have enough shirts), I will try to keep the similar weight cottons together...because I can see/feel the big difference.

Nan

You might like: Monday, June 8, 2009
Seven Shirts + Seven Steps = One Thrifty Quilt from http://thethriftyquilter.blogspot.com/
She has another from Kaffe Fassett that is really pretty but you have to get the pattern from his book and I can't remember which one it is.