Want to use my husband's Army uniforms...help!
 

Hi!

I want to make a quilt and a purse using my husband's old Army uniforms....I have a few doubles, so I grabbed those from the attic. I'd like to use as much of his actual uniforms and not store bought camo fabric as much as possible.

What is the best way to cut up pants, button up fatigue shirts, and even a flight suit so that I am maximizing the amount of fabric? I've tried searching on line but am not getting much useful info.

Also, should I remove stitches before cutting so that I have a bunch of flat pieces to cut? Would that help or is it a waste of time?

I recall seeing a book about that but can't remember the author or title right now. Does anyone else remember seeing that?

I would cut up beside the center leg seam. Depends on what you want to showcase in your project. Do you want to see the center front seam and pockets on the front of the pants? I would not try to pick out all those stitches. They are stitched too well. Do they still make that funny round patch on the bottom? If you take that off, you would have extra fabric. For the top, I would cut across the shoulder seam and cut out the sleeve. That would give you one large piece of fabric. Those seams will be hard to sew over but it will be a larger piece of fabric, if you need that. Does the flight suit have a waistband? If so I would cut it there and do the same thing.

when we debone cotton shirts we trim very closely to the seams, removing them plus zippers, buttons etc.
You can turn them wrong side out and use scissors or lay them flat on your cutting board and use the rotary.

Rather than introduce store bought camo, I would design the project based on what I have. Wall quilt, cuddle quilt, etc.

when we debone cotton shirts we trim very closely to the seams, removing them plus zippers, buttons etc.
You can turn them wrong side out and use scissors or lay them flat on your cutting board and use the rotary.

Rather than introduce store bought camo, I would design the project based on what I have. Wall quilt, cuddle quilt, etc.

Bonnie Hunter has a video for de boning a shirt. Here is a link to her website. Just scroll down until you see the video.

http://www.quiltville.com/

If you just want the yardage, here is a shirt u tube. http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/...irt-movie.html

Been thinking :) If you make a wall quilt you can incorporate the carefully removed (with some seam allowance) button plackets, shirt cuffs, collars, etc.

Awesome!! Thanks!!!!!!!

Thank you everyone!!! You're all so quick to respond, I love it! I'm going to try it this afternoon, so there's time for more tips!

I think I will put everything into a basket... what may not look like a usable piece...just in case.

I am going to focus on the quilt first, and if there happens to be any left over I will use the scraps for a purse...don't even care what size it is. Hopefully it won't just be a little coin purse! Especially since my daughter said she wants one too!!!!