If you are new to my site, I will repeat myself, and am posting my finished Shirt Quilt, finished several weeks ago, made mostly of leftover scraps from shirts I've made for DH #1 and DH #2. And being frugal, I've also used Mission Store shirts purchased for the amazing sum of 50 cents each! Some of these shirts are brand new -- what a bargain - so the quilt was practically FREE. And while I CAN afford NEW fabric (sorta), it seems appropriate for 'these times' to learn how to 'make do' as my Mom would say. Since the first quilt turned out even nicer than expected, I'm making a second one, an Ohio Star, using same type fabrics, with only small amounts of new fabric. The original idea of using Mission Store shirts came from Bonnie at Quiltville. I want to be Bonnie in my next life.
My 'lost' flying geese border pieces have not materialized. I'm trying to come up with another type border, but somehow, I think it calls for yet another Flying Geese. Quarter Square Triangles are too wimpy, IMHO. I'll work on that.
And yes, I am including a few labels on the FRONT of the quilt, for added interest. And doesn't that orange perk it up? Oh my, NOW, (too late) I'm seeing two light stars too close together ... how did THAT happen? Rows are not yet sewn. I had to add new fabric for 5 of the side setting triangles. One is pieced from used fabric.
However, to carry the theme of 'thriftiness' over the top, I've included the pocket in the side triangle (below). It seemed a shame to waste that big piece of fabric just because it had a pocket sewn there! Whatever will end up in that pocket? LOL
The last photo (below) is one more shirt that needs to be washed and cut apart, but it has a unique collar. The label says "Expandable Collar" and there is a little tab with the button on it, that can be pulled out of the collar to give more room. Funny - it's not a dress shirt, and I don't ever remember that men wore collars buttoned to the neck. 
Great quilts and I can see why there would be satisfaction in using the shirts. I have a few in my drawer, but haven't tried cutting them up yet.
ReplyDeleteI lOVE both of your shirt quilts. I keep thinking I'm going to make one soon, so I guess I better start cutting up those shirts.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is a great quilt. I really like your choices.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt. Love the shirting fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you've used that pocket! What a great idea! My husband just handed me some of his shirts to throw out... but most of them seem to have polyester somewhere in them. Great when he's wearing them since I don't have to iron. Not so good for recycling...
ReplyDeleteLove the shirt quilt. I think quilting should be all about re-cycling. It is hard to find 100% cotton anything these days though. Last shirt I bought to re-cycle was so nice that I wore it all summer. Lol.
ReplyDeleteNeither one of my guys wore dress shirts: tee shirts and flannel. I made flannel shirts and flannel boxers. With the flannel scraps I have made two different quilts. DS has one and the other was on the quilt rack in a recent post. The flying geese will show up when the top is finished and then you will have to do a third top.
ReplyDeleteYour work is always wonderful. With your touch, you could make a great quilt out of dishcloths! I also think Bonnie has started a revolution. About time.
ReplyDeleteLove those shirt quilts! I go to garage sales, & there are usually lovely shirts going for next-to-nothing. Trouble is, if they are really nice, I can't bring myself to buy them to cut up!
ReplyDeleteI love this shirt quilt as much as I love the first one you made! I agree, I think the flying geese are better in the border. I hope your lost geese come home soon! And using that piece with the pocket is sheer genius! People will marvel at your ingenuity years from now!
ReplyDeleteI used my son's shirts from H.S. in a graduation (from college) quilt for him. They were 100% cotton and easy to use. It was fun to watch him discover them and realize they were his shirts!
You certainly have got into the swing of things with your Shirt Quilts - they are great!
ReplyDeleteHugs - Lurline!
smart quilt. I'm trying to stop buying new fabric and use what I have also... looks good!
ReplyDeleteI love your thriftiness and the way that you included misc. parts of the shirt in the quilt, e.g., the pocket. I think the quilt looks great! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteYou're right - it's gotta be flying geese in the border. Sigh - quarter square triangles would have been faster!
ReplyDeleteI love plaids and there are so few in the stores. I have to start hitting the thrifts!
Oh, yes - I have found that photographing works in progress are the best ways to zero in on things such as the two light stars too close together. Since I've got my easy-peasy digital camera, I do that a lot.
What a great design, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteYou call that juxtaposition a "design element" and let the critics ponder why you did it that way. (I have a "design element" in the top that I pieced last night. That's my story and I'm sticking to.)
Beautiful quilts, and such a good idea to re-cycle the shirts.
ReplyDeleteOh I really like this!
ReplyDeleteLove the secret pocket. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilts!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat new shirt quilt - LOVE how you've used the pocket!! Now I have Bonnie's new book I can start planning some of my own shirt quilts :)
ReplyDeleteElaine, I la,la,LOVE your shirt quilts! and I am gonna go back and see if I can find a pic of that double T opened up :)
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about setting those QST's so that they look like dark squares on point all the way around?? try that and see. ;) might work??
Your OH stars are great! I wish I could find some great background light shirts like you have... I keep on looking and looking.. maybe tomorrow I will luck out as our Goodwill has their $.99/tag sale on Sunday... i have more than enough plaids to las tme a lifetime ;)
Happy Weekend and love from Texas! ~bonnie
PS _ mind if I save a pic or two for my inspriation folder??