Finished completely: Framed 9 patch scrappy shirts quilt
 

I finished this quilt yesterday and just finished washing/drying it for 15 min. just now. I wanted to wash and dry it to see if I could get the edges to tame down. They did just great and I love how the finished quilt looks.

I'm trying to do several "fabric purchased only in Poland" type quilts this year because I had a friend tell me that I was at a very distinct advantage because I have beautiful fabric that I've been able to get from the states (I'm an American and when we go back there, yes, it is true, I tend to come back with my suitcase/carry on full of fabric--plus I ship what is donated to me, or I find at thrift stores--back to myself.)

So, I have been thinking about her comments and realized that, Yes, it is true that I do have an advantage, but I think it is possible to make some interesting quilts without 1. spending a fortune in $6-8/ FQ for quilt shop quality fabric or 2. importing fabric. I have had to get really creative. I was already working on my creativity due to the lack of quilt shops or choices of fabrics, but have had to ramp that level of creativity up a bit. I decided a couple of months ago to start sorting my "treasures" when I find them and keep them separate from my US acquired fabrics.

Here is this one. I have already finished 4 tops made out of shirts/pjs and sheets/duvet covers, but this is the first one I've actually finished including the binding. Am really quite pleased with it.

The first picture is before I washed it. since there was no binding I didn't understand why I was having the problem with the edges acting like they didn't want to lie flat. However, after washing today, and drying for 15 min. (It is still damp), I laid out the quilt on the floor and love how it looks. Here it is.

Before washing:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469067[/ATTACH]

After washing:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469069[/ATTACH]

And to answer one person's question (in the last thread) about all the labels being English, here's one from Italy:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469070[/ATTACH]

a beautiful finish

I thought it was a great top - it's even better quilted! I still love it ...

Your quilt looks great! And I love your use of the labels. Very Clever. I saved my dads shirt to use in a quilt but haven't been quite ready to cut them up. I may be ready now. Thanks for the inspiration.

A wonderful quilt, I always wash and dry my quilts when finished. I find it fixes a lot of things.

Beautiful quilt with lots of interesting fabrics and story!

Love your quilt!

Wonderful quilt, I love the composition.
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very nicely done!!!!

That turned out wonderful! love it

what kind of batt did you use, the quilt looks very fluffy ... yummmm

Beautiful and creative.

Polyester. It's what we have. I buy it in 50 meter rolls for the best price and because I do a lot of charity quilts.

Wonderful quilt. I am sure it feels really soft, also. Great ingenuity!

Your work is so inspiring. Thank you for posting and sharing your work. I love it:)

It's BEAUTIFUL!! :) :) It looks soooo cozy!!! :) :) :)

This quilt is very beautiful, and very creative too. Thank you for the explanation of how you're trying to work with fabrics that can be found locally without great expense. This shows that it can be done, and the quality of the work doesn't suffer at all.

Awesome job!

BEAUTIFUL finish. I love this...and the way you used the shirts is just perfect. This is one great quilt.

This is really a beautiful quilt, really like the borders around the 9P's

Nicely done

I LOVE the look of this quilt!! I would say we are the ones at a disadvantage for not getting those fabulous shirts....I can just feel how soft that quilt is!! So jealous!

Terrific quilt! Fun to see what you have come up with. Leaving labels in is a great touch!

Very nice quilt. I love your taking on the challenge to use what is available around you.

What a wonderful quilt it looks so soft. BrendaK

Your creative juices are flowing. Nice use of the fabrics you have available.

Nice quilt!

Great quilt and excellent use of old shirts, including the labels.

It is looking great.

Really love your quilt - makes me want to dash out to thrift stores and buy lots of shirts. I never really paid much attention to the labels but they really add interest in the quilt. Such a good idea!

Now that is just wonderful! Love everything about it!

Looks great...

A really nice quilt.

I love it. You did a great job.

It is beautiful, or as my DH said, It is truly a work of art." And I agree. Thanks for sharing!

I'm not overly fond of the scrappy quilt look but yours is wonderful. I think must be the "framed" look of the blocks. I love that you used the labels also. How cool is that? I'll be trying your idea out this summer. Wish me luck! I, also, wanted to say that your "creativity" is great. And please don't feel you have to prove something to someone just cause you can get things someone else can't. The true test of creativity, IMHO, is being able to use what you have and create something beautiful without whining about how someone else has an advantage over you.

How fun. That turned out great!

Thanks for the kind words. I know I don't have to prove anything, but it is kind of a personal challenge.

This also shows what you can do with locally available goods and may inspire others to create.