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)
Such a good idea. Maybe I can use the same idea for my daughter, using my old clothes. Love your blog!
When my grandpa passed away, my aunt took all of his old dress shirts, cut them up, and made quilt tops for all of the grandkids. It was such a special gift.
lovely as usual! I just blogged today about my vow to learn sewing this year - so many things I'm dying to make and every crafty blog I read just has me adding more things to the list! A quilt is one of them - I really like Katiedid's modern version. Can't wait to see your end result!
This is a wonderful idea! I'm going to start hanging on to my husband's worn out dress shirts now too. As if my craft stash wasn't already overflowing!
Last week my husband tore off his dress-shirt in a fit of rage. I took that baby and put it right into my fabric stash. Now I know why I kept it- a quilt for my future son.
i love that idea! what a sweet thing to go to bed at night tucked in with little parts of your dad's life. i am excited to see the finished product!
What a great idea! I'm going to have to copy you. Thanks for the post and it reminds me of the inside of the security envelopes which I loved too. :-)
Hi! I'm new to your blog and have gotten some great ideas here -- so thank you. I was wondering if you could give us a quick class on putting together a color story. For example, do you need a certain number of lights to darks? Do you have a way of determining how many colors to use or what shades? Or do you simply arrange colors that you like into a pattern that is pleasing to you? I've loved looking at your color stories and look forward to putting some of my own together for future projects.
Sweet + such a good idea! You're right about the great little patterns on men's shirts!
DITTO, that is a great idea! I've wondered what to do with my husband's hole-filled shirts - I hate throwing things away that can be used for something else. Now I know what to use them for!
I love the color story posts -- and thinking I need to do this same project someday soon.
Cool idea, civil war fabric-ish. Never, never throw shirts out! They make great rags if nothing else.
I just finished a baby quilt for a granddaughter that had snips and pieces of fabric that also carried memories. These pieces were scraps from sewing dresses for my daughter--this grandchild's mother. I wonder if my granddaughter will like it when she grows up, but I know my daughter loves it.
I think you are smart, even if it takes you a long time to finish, to give this project a go. Lovely post.
My mum has started making the exact same thing for me! I've been collecting my dad's old shirts for some time now and I can't wait to have a quilt made out of them.
i love coming here. you have such nice ideas and projects. this one is so special. i can almost feel those shirt s as i read this.
can't wait to see the finished product.
funny ... another blogger just posted a very similar project ... dress shirt quilt
I have finished a couple of quilts from my husbands dress shirts. Consider binding with a stripe on the bias, reminiscent of a striped tie. They turn out really nice and tie all the colors together. Check out my daughters post of my quilt at: http://myspinningwheels.blogspot.com/
What a lovely and special idea! I've been trying to get up the courage to make a quilt out of my children's baby clothes. I love the idea, I just can't seem to cut them up!
i can't wait to see the quilt!
i have rescued some of my husband's shirts that were destined for the thrift store and added them to my stash o' fabric.
what a great idea. i love the father's shirts for a quilt for son. that's awesome. will you post a pic of the quilt....would love to see it. i love recycling!!