color story #7
There's nothing I like more than finishing a longtime work in progress. This color story comes from a quilt I have been working on for my son C who is 4 1/2 years old and the sweetest boy you've ever met. (I know I'm biased because I am his mother, but man, he is a sweet one.)
A few years ago my husband cleaned out his closet and ended up with a stack of old dress shirts. Nice shirts that had gotten old and worn out, and he was ready to toss them in the trash. Instead I threw the pile into my fabric stash, and a little later decided a very simple quilt would be the perfect way to use them.
I don't think I will ever throw out another one of JR's shirts. Men's shirting fabric has such a lovely feel and I love the small grids and tiny ginghams and all the shades of blue. I love the idea of a quilt made out of a father's shirts for his son. And I've tried to perserve little bits of the shirts in the quilt, a few pieces of pockets and plackets here and there. It's a very simple little quilt, and I'm a little embarrassed it has taken me so long... why do I always stall when it comes to the binding?
My sweet boy has been waiting so patiently.
02.28.2009
Reader Comments (50)
i love this! what a great idea! can't wait to see how the quilt turns out! :)
Oh I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one who stalls when it comes to binding! Many a project has sat around my house quilted and beautiful... waiting for binding... It's definitely my LEAST favorite part of quilting!
your project puts a smile on my face. the picnic blanket that our family had while i was growing up was made out of my great-grandpa's workshirts. all blues. stripes. plaids. and plain ones, too. my great-grandma made it the same way you are making your quilt. by saving shirts. it is now a family heirloom. and my sister's family uses it. such a great idea. your son will be super thankful someday. super thankful.
good idea... i think i need to do some cleaning out!
I, too, love the idea of a quilt made of father's shirts for a son. Plus, these fabrics are just gorgeous! I used some shirting in a project around Christmas and it was so pleasant that I now watch for it to go on sale.
What a fabulous idea for reusing those old dress shirts! Can't wait to see the finished product!
Wonderful repurposeing idea!
You'll have to show us a finished picture! I am very intrigued by shirt bits like pockets being incorporated.
This is such a great idea. I need to start saving my husbands old dress shirts for a quilt for my son.
what a lovely palette! I am working on a similar project from my brother in law's shirts-- he just passed away and I think his son will love to look at the quilt when he's older. I am leaving little bits here and there, like buttons and sleeve plackets, and so far i love it!
How lovely! I inherited some quilt tops from my mother-in-law that came from earlier generations of her family. They were made in the 30's and 40's, and several look like they were made from men's shirts. Now I just have to quilt and bind them :o) I am looking forward to seeing your finished quilt!
I am ready to go raid my husband and father's closets! What a great idea!
I save my husband's shirts too, but never thought to use cuffs and pockets in the design before. Genius.
what a great idea! i bet the finished quilt will be lovely.
Ah finishing. I'm the same in that I almost always procrastinate finishing the last 5% of a project. It's usually the un-fun part. But the un-fun part that can sometimes make or break something (i.e. if well done, it ends up elevating the item even higher, but if done badly sometimes can take away from all the effort you put into the 1st 95%).
I love the idea of working his Dad's shirts into the quilt - not only for ecological reasons, but I love the idea of a son having something of his father in his quilt. Hope you'll post a photo of the finished quilt - perhaps a bit more incentive to finish the binding?!
Can't wait to see this quilt, your idea of including bits of the pockets and plackets is brilliant. I love your quirky attention to detail.
What a wonderful idea!! I too am a sucker for mens shirts! I love them in blue, especially if they have little boxes/checks. Can't wait to see the finished product!
I've been saving my husband's shirts for just this type quilt for years! I'd love to see the finished product!
Love it!!! Gonna have to do one of these for DS...so when do we get to see the finished product?!?!
That is such a great idea! I am just now getting into sewing and I am reading all of these craft blogs with great ideas! I just don't have time to do them all! Now I find myself wishing that my husband wore dress shirts to work...