My husband ripped a nearly new shirt that had pink flamingos on a navy background. I thought, “I can use that fabric,” and took it to my sewing room. Next thing I know the grandkids saw it and immediately wanted me to make something out of it for them! I didn’t even know using thrift shirts was a “thing” until today, but it makes tons of sense. My husband just retired and has lots of dress shirts he will never need, and our church rummage sale is coming up. Opportunities!!
Also thrifted 100% wool blankets for the batting. And 100% cotton sheets for the back of the quilt. Great video thanks. Very useful. Love your channel 😻❤️❤️❤️
Just found you and subbed. I sewed my kids clothes when they were little (40+ years ago) so starting sewing again. Making pet beds/sleeping mats ? mostly) and I use small cut up scraps of worn out towels, sweat clothes etc like the size you tossed for filling inside them. Shirts and larger dresses are a great idea. Can use those kind of scraps too. Either way I have to travel about 30 miles to get to a place like WM or Joann's. I pass the S.Army before I get to the plaza, so thanks for the video 👍🏻, never even gave it a thought. ❤ the ideas you put out.
Love this! Thank you for teaching everyone! When I go to a thrift store I don’t see suit coats, shirts, jackets, summer dresses, old table wear. I see linen, cotton, leather, wool, silk. Like my grandmother’s used to see. They were poor farmers who made beautiful things out of “garbage”. Stuff that couldn’t be worn anymore or went out of fashion. Every piece I create has the same title: “This is Garbage”.😅 Because I will never buy new fabric again. Not with all the fabric waste clogging up beaches and landfills around the world.
Thank you for this video!!! This way, we are saving money, as well as saving the planet by making new wonderful things out of "pre-loved" fabric. I have to thank you for teaching me in a previous video that my VERY old 100% Egyptian Cotton (!!!) sheets could be foundations for string blocks. I'm a charity quilter, so it's all about giving joy to others. You are helping us to not only be more creative, but kinder people. Grateful to you as always, from the Rockies in Canada.
@@lutkeone Hi Newbie!!! A string block is made from sewing strips of scrap fabric onto a foundation. It's a no waste super easy way to quilt. The best video is Merry Mabel Market from a year ago, Making String Blocks out of Scraps. The video is 13:03 and has all the info you need. Hope you try it as it's super fun. All the best to you.
Thank you! You have me thinking! My husband used to have business casual dress code but now he works remote. He is 6’5” and only wore XXL Talls. I’m going to be shopping in his closet later today!😃
I have a friend who makes amazing quilted pot holders out of thrifted fabric. She also lines them with thrifted wool blankets- they are so much nicer than any you can buy in the store- she makes a nice income from them.
The entire cuff can just be left intact & used for projects as-is. No need to take it all apart for a tiny scrap. Cuffs are nice, thick pieces with many uses. Can be sewn together to make larger mats of fabric. Excellent thick pieces & so sturdy & nice! Hot pads, purses, wallets, cushion covers, chair pads, vests, etc...
I have been using shirts, recycled sheets for awhile. I save the buttons as well. This year I have been giving the buttonhole strips to my daughter for tying back her tomatoes.
Great way to get some very affordable quality cotton for quilting. I don't do quilting anymore, and am selling most of my stash. But I still love quilting fabrics and seeing the great ideas people come up with to reuse things and turn them into something else beautiful!
Love this! I have just bmade two quite large quilts from a pile of our old pyjamas, and my sons' old children's shirts. My mother-in-law liked them so much I am making a quilt out of her recently deceased husband's shirts. It's quite a sad process because a few weeks ago he wouldn't have imagined all his clothes being chopped up but hopefully I will create something that mum-in-law will cherish.😊
A hug from him that will last forever. I too have made memory quilts like this. They mean so much to his loved ones. Best wishes as you sew this. It's deep therapy.
It's a way to remember Him. And you really don't want to just toss them or give them away because others may also feel you don't care. Doing this shows you do care 💛
The best part is these fabrics are different from what you can find in a fabric store. So whatever you make will be one of a kind & unique. Tiny checks & plaids are great for baby quilts. Thanks for sharing.
❤ Thank you , some of us just don’t have money for the expensive material. I’ve made my daughter a quilt out of m shirts and bedding . Made with love x can’t beat that❤❤❤
I've been 'shopping" for fabric at the thrift store's men's shirts for quite some time. I LOVE doing so. Sometimes a 3x or 4x shirt will yield a nice top, or a smaller one an apron. Scraps get pieced into 12" squares for a tote bag front, and some wait for that baby quilt project. Right now I'm shopping/piecing coordinating shirt fabrics to "make fabric" for a dress.
Oh! I've been upcycling men's button-up shirts for 10 years now! When I was in college, I couldn't often afford fabric, and I loved thrift store shopping. I noticed a lot of shirts that were a little beat up--missing buttons, a few paint stains, etc. Just things that I figured probably wouldn't sell. And I'd buy those and cut them up for quilts! 😊 Thank you for the helpful video!
As a new quilter since July, the first fabrics I bought, were bed sheets and duvet covers from charity shops, as we call them here in the UK. Love your tutorials 💞
I just left a comment about using thrifted wool blankets and cotton sheets for the rest of the quilt sandwich, but I can't find my comment now. I wanted to add that any scraps from thrifted items, I chop up and use as stuffing for cat toys, along with cereal plastic (that your cereal comes in). It makes the toys 'crinkle' and the cats love it. I always put "made from recycled materials" on any labelling for the cat toys. ❤❤❤ Love your channel
Your video reminded me about how much clothing ends up in the landfills and/or collected and shipped off to another country. Lately, I've been struggling with even buying fabric from my local op shops (thrift) and have been wondering about different means of getting more fabric cheaper and environmentally sustainable. Thank you for making this video.
This! I cringe at the number of pounds of fabric that goes to landfills daily. I restrict myself to second-hand fabric or reclaimed fabric like this. I buy in bulk other quilters stashes on fb marketplace.
I love turning Mens shirts into jewel neck pullover tops. I also look for long sleeves, and because I live in Florida, cotton is a must. There are a lot of nice rayon shirts out there too, but I’m not an expert sewist yet, and rayon frays a lot. I pick all the seams apart very carefully, though. No just lopping off the collar for me. It’s so much fun!
I make memory bears from shirts like this. I have been taking shirts apart for years, but you have taught me a few new ways to go about it. I had not thought to actually buy fabric like this. Thanks.
I really enjoy your channel! I love your descriptions of “happy fabric,” “fabric friends,” “holding hands,” and so on. I’ve made your baby “trip around the world” pattern twice and both mamas loved them! 💕
Whoa--this only has the "dislike" icon and I clicked on it unthinkingly! Sorry, I REALLY, REALLY like this video! Shirts are a great way to fill in gaps in a stash, or get a particular color, geometric, or plaid pattern fabric. And yes, the amount available from a 2X or 3X shirt is astonishing!. Thanks for sharing your breakdown method too, I love learning new things.
I did not think of that!! I’m super new to sewing and quilting, I’m gathering info to make my first quilt and this is so cool!! I know she’s talked about wanting to have someone make a quilt from her late mothers clothes that she saved, I think it would be fun to try after I’ve attempted a few quilts before hand so I can have an idea of what I’m doing! I’ll be making a quilt for her (or trying to) out of fabrics I used for all the old enough grand babies aprons I’m making for the holidays!
I do this all the time as our local charity shop sells everything for £1 and that’s a LOT of cotton for £1! I save extra cute cuffs, leave the button on it and then sew it up the sides to make a button-up embroidery scissor or lipstick holder for my handbag!
Hello lovely, this is the best video ever!!! I have watched it 3 times, I just love your voice and your brilliant way of empowering us all. I have an idea for a video that I think all your subscribers would enjoy- tell us about your gorgeous sewing machine, thread type and management, you bobbins etc.and machine maintenance, if any. Loads of love Rachel xxxx
I also HAVE!!! WAY TO MUCH FABRIC. Very small "unassigned" , fabric comes in the door, it gets looked at matched up with what's available.. assigned a pattern, notes added & put in a zip lock bag. Yes, too many "kits", but no "just piles/totes of random fabric. Everytime I complete 6 "kits", I get to pick 6 more. It's like winning the prize drawing sometimes. I grab a tote, take the 'kits' out & tada, great fun.
If you find yourself overwhelmed with 100% cotton fabric (new, repurposed, a funny feel, a funky color once viewed at home ...), consider making then gifting or donating crib sheets. They take about 69"'s worth of 45" wide fabric, 2 to 3 yards of 1/4" elastic, about 1 to 4 hours cut to finish, and a safety pin for threading elastic. If you're clever, you can use 8" and 9" wide strips for the drop down from the top and/ or pieced strips and/ or simply different fabric from the top that covers the top of the mattress. BTW - Crib and toddler bed mattresses are the same size.
Hi. New to your channel, just watched your green crumb block video, loving your enthusiasm for using up as much fabric as possible. Men's shirts often yield very good quality cotton, I buy clothing for fabric from charity shops, and often find some treasures on their £1 sale rail. Working the shirt pocket into a quilt is a brilliant idea. I've used small fabric pieces to make small items like shoe toe stuffers - include a loop for pulling, pack firmly with toy filling, stitch up the gap - keeps your shoes in good shape. Colour co-ordinated crumb blocks is something I've never thought of. I shall be hunting through the charity shops soon. Lovely videos, thank you. E❤
As a clothing & home dec sewer, xlg men's shirts are great to take apart & cutout women's tops! Also I use sheets & pillowcases for clothes or home dec - great amount of material to make outfits! ❤ I'm currently working with a men's denim shirt & a lovely flannel plaid shirt to combine to make a shacket for my self!
W😮w I just started to play with fabric for my paper projects and small bags... this is a game changer. Thanks for sharing! Also, keeps textiles out of the landfill or dumped in other countries for just a bit longer. God bless you! And thanks for sharing. 😊
My ggd loves the comfort of cotton knit shorts,the fabric is hard to find here where I live,so I went to a newly opened thrift store and they had tons of men's brand new t shirts.I bought several,and like you bought the largest size which was 3x.The shirts were $3.99 each,so it only cost me that to make each pair of her shorts. Like you I also buy the men's cotton,button down shirt to make blouses for myself.I .ove plaids and stripes and men's shirts have a lot of both.Glad to meet another,smart,savvy sewer/seamstress.
I definitely need to focus on sewing for a season but I appreciate knowing how break down the shirt. My grandma used to make postage size quilts. I needed permission to throw out scraps.
You have my permission to send your scraps to a new home. (Bag them for your local thrift store or throw them out!) OR - here are crumb blocks. A fun way to use them up? ruclips.net/video/gxhILCY7b7M/видео.html
I also use a lot of thrifted men's shirts in quilts. I do keep the usable fabric from the cuffs and the collar. They can be used for English paper piecing, or to make rag rugs. I also keep all of the longer cutoff seams. If the same pieces are too short, I throw them away. I plan to use all of the seams in a braided rug, eventually. Thank you for this video! It's good to see people being thrifty and up cycling!
I love men’s shirts for fabric! I think I need to put a limit on number of tubs like you do….I’ve lost track of what all I have. That Nas for the tips.
What a great way to recycle shirts! I'm not much of a quilter, but can see the value in repurposing -- they would also be so useful for making children's clothing. Thank you for a well presented video and sharing your ideas with us.
Thanks! I haven’t wanted to use shirts because it looked like such a hassle! Well, you took that excuse away! And, I love your attitude! I like to do charity quilts, and I do hunt for nice sheets to use as quilt backs. If I buy the complete sheet set, I can gift the pillow cases and one of the sheets with the quilt.
Girl, you are one after my own heart!!! I have been thrift shop buying for years mainly for repurposing clothes. Thanks for sharing this so others can know what can be done 😊❤
I started this during the fabric shortage when everyone was sewing masks and slipped into a fabric collection habit that I just wont break! I have gathered so many great woven (not printed) fabrics. Good to see how you handle them. I've started cutting up polar fleece cast-offs to use as layers between cotton for coasters and small projects too.
@@candykammerzell3919 I think there should be a section at the thrift store with stained and ripped clothing and sheets for upcycling, painting drop cloths, and times when you need grungy clothes. I'm not that hard on my clothes so I can't really downgrade that many.
I’m not a quilter but what a great way to get quality cotton fabric at an affordable price! You have a great eye for putting colors and patterns together 🫶
"Harvesting"! Love that! I call it "Rescuing!"... I have only ever thrifted fabric for myself...then cotton sheets for my mom for her charity drawstring bags, that get filled with essenstials for Overseas. It is getting harder, as everyone is doing the same...either for sewing/quilting, or necessity. Our thrift stores are marking items to the point where we can go to Walmart and purchase new! CatBird Quilting on YT also thrifts mens' shirts for quilting...such a great idea!
Love your efficient way of deconstructing - have made many memory pillows for our local hospice and always struggle with the best and quickest way to get the most fabric out of the shirts and sometimes jeans and cargo pants. Love the keep the pocket and buttons to incorporate into a project. Thanks!!!!
دائما القميص الرجالي القطني هو المفضل عندي ، عندما كان ابني صغيرا كنت اقوم بخياطة السراويل له من قمصان زوجي ، والفساتين لأخته التوأم ، أما الان بعد ان كبرا افكر بجديه في صنع لحاف
Great video. I invested in some electric scissors and they work so well for this job. I also harvest flannels for cozy quilts. I ALWAYS wash thrifted clothing.
You can use the cuffs to make little pouches. Sew up the sides, leave a flap to fold over and fasten. The flap can have the button holes and you can relocate the buttons to fasten the pouch. You can use the pouch for money, makeup, a small sewing kit to travel with you.... the sky is the limit. You can put the pouch in your pocket book. The interfacing in the cuff makes the pouch sturdier and the pattern of the shirt makes the pouch decorative.
I like that your video was right to the point. I also get shirts at my local thrift store, They are a $1 a piece, some times 2 for the price of one, so very good value.
I have thrifted wool sweaters, felted them & then cut them up to make things. Tea cozy, hats, dog sweater, simple barn mittens. A purse, several totes, etc. Once felted they dont unravel. i also buy new sheet sets for summer blouses, often it is better fabric than I can buy at the fabric store. Im wearing a pair of shorts from some cotton sheets right now (I dont quilt. I like and use poly & microfiber blends. But I like pure cotton a lot too.)
I dont make quilts but I have recently started to buy men's to make women's top / skirts by combining two or 3 matching shirt colors. Like a patterned blue with a lighter blue. Or a patterned red / white with a pure white trim. I will also try making tote bags and maybe a few other items too. Like a stuffed toy. Or a woven purse. Lots of things you can do with the fabric.
I use cuffs as the inner layer of coasters/table mats. Just lay out the rectangles touching (not overlapping) on a thin backer, and zigzag them into a thick fabric, and then put a pretty top and bottom layer.
I just retired so trying not to buy any more fabric. This is of course very difficult to do! But! Thrift shops to the rescue! I don’t feel guilty there ESP on Sr. or half off days. 👍🏻👍🏻🤓 Your 4 bin rule is genius, I’ll have to keep it to one but that’s ok, Imma get me the biggest bin I can find!😉
Thanks for this! I spent days last week seam ripping some street found clothes (Brooklyn is good for those) and the gains weren't worth the time effort. I definitely am gonna try your method next time (though I'll keep the bits of collar and edges for slow stitching collages).
I'm lucky enough to have a thrift store nearby where clothing is .25 and another that occasionally has sales where clothing ranges from a quarter to a dollar. At those prices I grab short-sleeve and occasionally kids shirts if they're an amazing color. Also I've made garland for my Christmas tree using the buttons and twine. Time consuming but oh so beautiful!
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I saved my late husband's shirts for quilting. I incorporate pieces of his shirts into quilts for our family.
Brilliant!! I love the thought of his shirts....woven into a quilt hug.
That's beautiful!
My son did this and made a lap quilt for each member of the family. There was so much it often makes a random appearance in other quilts too!❤
My husband ripped a nearly new shirt that had pink flamingos on a navy background. I thought, “I can use that fabric,” and took it to my sewing room. Next thing I know the grandkids saw it and immediately wanted me to make something out of it for them! I didn’t even know using thrift shirts was a “thing” until today, but it makes tons of sense. My husband just retired and has lots of dress shirts he will never need, and our church rummage sale is coming up. Opportunities!!
Also thrifted 100% wool blankets for the batting.
And 100% cotton sheets for the back of the quilt.
Great video thanks. Very useful.
Love your channel 😻❤️❤️❤️
Save his favorite shirt and make a teddy bear. It makes a great keepsake.
I rarely comment on videos but i just have to say i love this straight to the point no nonsense, all valuable information, keep it up
Thank you for your sweet comment!
Me too! Just found this channel and I'm definitely subscribing!
Just found you and subbed. I sewed my kids clothes when they were little (40+ years ago) so starting sewing again. Making pet beds/sleeping mats ? mostly) and I use small cut up scraps of worn out towels, sweat clothes etc like the size you tossed for filling inside them. Shirts and larger dresses are a great idea. Can use those kind of scraps too. Either way I have to travel about 30 miles to get to a place like WM or Joann's. I pass the S.Army before I get to the plaza, so thanks for the video 👍🏻, never even gave it a thought. ❤ the ideas you put out.
Love this! Thank you for teaching everyone! When I go to a thrift store I don’t see suit coats, shirts, jackets, summer dresses, old table wear. I see linen, cotton, leather, wool, silk. Like my grandmother’s used to see. They were poor farmers who made beautiful things out of “garbage”. Stuff that couldn’t be worn anymore or went out of fashion. Every piece I create has the same title: “This is Garbage”.😅 Because I will never buy new fabric again. Not with all the fabric waste clogging up beaches and landfills around the world.
Sheets make great backing for quilts & no piecing , second hand sheets are also way better prices
And softer! I love using second hand sheets for my quilts.
Thank you for this video!!! This way, we are saving money, as well as saving the planet by making new wonderful things out of "pre-loved" fabric. I have to thank you for teaching me in a previous video that my VERY old 100% Egyptian Cotton (!!!) sheets could be foundations for string blocks. I'm a charity quilter, so it's all about giving joy to others. You are helping us to not only be more creative, but kinder people. Grateful to you as always, from the Rockies in Canada.
You are so welcome! Thank you for your kind words!
Newbie. What's a string block?
@@lutkeone Hi Newbie!!! A string block is made from sewing strips of scrap fabric onto a foundation. It's a no waste super easy way to quilt. The best video is Merry Mabel Market from a year ago, Making String Blocks out of Scraps. The video is 13:03 and has all the info you need. Hope you try it as it's super fun. All the best to you.
The other thing you can do with sheets is make cot sets for babies and toddler cribs. Plenty of mothers would appreciate the quality gift.
Thank you! You have me thinking! My husband used to have business casual dress code but now he works remote. He is 6’5” and only wore XXL Talls. I’m going to be shopping in his closet later today!😃
Brilliant!!
I have a friend who makes amazing quilted pot holders out of thrifted fabric. She also lines them with thrifted wool blankets- they are so much nicer than any you can buy in the store- she makes a nice income from them.
That is awesome!
@@ritaeagle …and you can either incorporate any stains or cut them out
The entire cuff can just be left intact & used for projects as-is. No need to take it all apart for a tiny scrap. Cuffs are nice, thick pieces with many uses. Can be sewn together to make larger mats of fabric. Excellent thick pieces & so sturdy & nice! Hot pads, purses, wallets, cushion covers, chair pads, vests, etc...
I have been using shirts, recycled sheets for awhile. I save the buttons as well. This year I have been giving the buttonhole strips to my daughter for tying back her tomatoes.
Great way to get some very affordable quality cotton for quilting. I don't do quilting anymore, and am selling most of my stash. But I still love quilting fabrics and seeing the great ideas people come up with to reuse things and turn them into something else beautiful!
Love saving money when it comes to fabrics.
Me too!
Love this! I have just bmade two quite large quilts from a pile of our old pyjamas, and my sons' old children's shirts. My mother-in-law liked them so much I am making a quilt out of her recently deceased husband's shirts. It's quite a sad process because a few weeks ago he wouldn't have imagined all his clothes being chopped up but hopefully I will create something that mum-in-law will cherish.😊
A hug from him that will last forever. I too have made memory quilts like this. They mean so much to his loved ones. Best wishes as you sew this. It's deep therapy.
I'm sorry for your loss.❤
It's a way to remember Him. And you really don't want to just toss them or give them away because others may also feel you don't care. Doing this shows you do care 💛
The best part is these fabrics are different from what you can find in a fabric store. So whatever you make will be one of a kind & unique. Tiny checks & plaids are great for baby quilts. Thanks for sharing.
❤ Thank you , some of us just don’t have money for the expensive material. I’ve made my daughter a quilt out of m shirts and bedding . Made with love x can’t beat that❤❤❤
Wonderful!
I've been 'shopping" for fabric at the thrift store's men's shirts for quite some time. I LOVE doing so. Sometimes a 3x or 4x shirt will yield a nice top, or a smaller one an apron. Scraps get pieced into 12" squares for a tote bag front, and some wait for that baby quilt project.
Right now I'm shopping/piecing coordinating shirt fabrics to "make fabric" for a dress.
Sounds like such fun project !
Oh! I've been upcycling men's button-up shirts for 10 years now! When I was in college, I couldn't often afford fabric, and I loved thrift store shopping. I noticed a lot of shirts that were a little beat up--missing buttons, a few paint stains, etc. Just things that I figured probably wouldn't sell. And I'd buy those and cut them up for quilts! 😊
Thank you for the helpful video!
Thanks for sharing!!
So many wonderful things can be done with other's discarded clothing! Thanks for another great idea.
You are so welcome!
As a new quilter since July, the first fabrics I bought, were bed sheets and duvet covers from charity shops, as we call them here in the UK. Love your tutorials 💞
Love that!
I just left a comment about using thrifted wool blankets and cotton sheets for the rest of the quilt sandwich, but I can't find my comment now.
I wanted to add that any scraps from thrifted items, I chop up and use as stuffing for cat toys, along with cereal plastic (that your cereal comes in). It makes the toys 'crinkle' and the cats love it. I always put "made from recycled materials" on any labelling for the cat toys.
❤❤❤ Love your channel
Sounds great!
Thank you! Your video answered a quilting question I had. Excellent resource for fabric!
Wonderful!
Your video reminded me about how much clothing ends up in the landfills and/or collected and shipped off to another country. Lately, I've been struggling with even buying fabric from my local op shops (thrift) and have been wondering about different means of getting more fabric cheaper and environmentally sustainable. Thank you for making this video.
This! I cringe at the number of pounds of fabric that goes to landfills daily. I restrict myself to second-hand fabric or reclaimed fabric like this. I buy in bulk other quilters stashes on fb marketplace.
I love turning Mens shirts into jewel neck pullover tops. I also look for long sleeves, and because I live in Florida, cotton is a must. There are a lot of nice rayon shirts out there too, but I’m not an expert sewist yet, and rayon frays a lot. I pick all the seams apart very carefully, though. No just lopping off the collar for me. It’s so much fun!
Thanks for sharing!!
i love this soooo much. i am definitely gonna rummage around charity shops to find the large shirts and patterns i like
Please do!
I make memory bears from shirts like this. I have been taking shirts apart for years, but you have taught me a few new ways to go about it. I had not thought to actually buy fabric like this. Thanks.
That is awesome!
WOW! I had no idea the long sleeves had so much fabric.
Straight to the point and very helpful! Thank you!
I really enjoy your channel! I love your descriptions of “happy fabric,” “fabric friends,” “holding hands,” and so on. I’ve made your baby “trip around the world” pattern twice and both mamas loved them! 💕
Oh thank you!
Me too! This is totally "my speak" as well... kindred spirits for sure....!
Whoa--this only has the "dislike" icon and I clicked on it unthinkingly! Sorry, I REALLY, REALLY like this video! Shirts are a great way to fill in gaps in a stash, or get a particular color, geometric, or plaid pattern fabric. And yes, the amount available from a 2X or 3X shirt is astonishing!. Thanks for sharing your breakdown method too, I love learning new things.
Thanks so much for your feedback! I love that you comment!
I love thrifted shirts for quilts!
I did not think of that!! I’m super new to sewing and quilting, I’m gathering info to make my first quilt and this is so cool!! I know she’s talked about wanting to have someone make a quilt from her late mothers clothes that she saved, I think it would be fun to try after I’ve attempted a few quilts before hand so I can have an idea of what I’m doing! I’ll be making a quilt for her (or trying to) out of fabrics I used for all the old enough grand babies aprons I’m making for the holidays!
Fun. Learning to quilt is such a great idea. It is so satisfying and gives great opportunity to create!
I do all of this, made so many quilts with thrifted fabric.
It's so great!
Just found your tube! I made a quilt out of thrifted shirts during covid! It is great!!
Wonderful! Welcome!!
Don't forget the pit sniff test before buying a used shirt. I made that mistake once... and only once.
I do this all the time as our local charity shop sells everything for £1 and that’s a LOT of cotton for £1! I save extra cute cuffs, leave the button on it and then sew it up the sides to make a button-up embroidery scissor or lipstick holder for my handbag!
I can buy fabric at my thrift store, never thought about men's shirts, thanks for that idea
You bet!
Hello lovely, this is the best video ever!!! I have watched it 3 times, I just love your voice and your brilliant way of empowering us all. I have an idea for a video that I think all your subscribers would enjoy- tell us about your gorgeous sewing machine, thread type and management, you bobbins etc.and machine maintenance, if any. Loads of love Rachel xxxx
What a fun idea!
I also HAVE!!! WAY TO MUCH FABRIC. Very small "unassigned" , fabric comes in the door, it gets looked at matched up with what's available.. assigned a pattern, notes added & put in a zip lock bag. Yes, too many "kits", but no "just piles/totes of random fabric. Everytime I complete 6 "kits", I get to pick 6 more. It's like winning the prize drawing sometimes. I grab a tote, take the 'kits' out & tada, great fun.
If you find yourself overwhelmed with 100% cotton fabric (new, repurposed, a funny feel, a funky color once viewed at home ...), consider making then gifting or donating crib sheets. They take about 69"'s worth of 45" wide fabric, 2 to 3 yards of 1/4" elastic, about 1 to 4 hours cut to finish, and a safety pin for threading elastic. If you're clever, you can use 8" and 9" wide strips for the drop down from the top and/ or pieced strips and/ or simply different fabric from the top that covers the top of the mattress. BTW - Crib and toddler bed mattresses are the same size.
What a great idea!
Thanks for these ideas,! I'm a cotton snob too.
Going to head to the closet and grab my husband's shirts and mine to recycle. What a way to clean out the closet!
Love that!
I think I am so smart about all things quilting, but I ALWAYS learn something from you! Thank you ❤
Happy to help!
Hi. New to your channel, just watched your green crumb block video, loving your enthusiasm for using up as much fabric as possible. Men's shirts often yield very good quality cotton, I buy clothing for fabric from charity shops, and often find some treasures on their £1 sale rail. Working the shirt pocket into a quilt is a brilliant idea. I've used small fabric pieces to make small items like shoe toe stuffers - include a loop for pulling, pack firmly with toy filling, stitch up the gap - keeps your shoes in good shape. Colour co-ordinated crumb blocks is something I've never thought of. I shall be hunting through the charity shops soon. Lovely videos, thank you. E❤
So glad you found us. Sounds like you have GREAT plans.
Great video. I use the cuff from the shirt with the button as a coffee cup sleeve. 🎉
Love that!
As a clothing & home dec sewer, xlg men's shirts are great to take apart & cutout women's tops! Also I use sheets & pillowcases for clothes or home dec - great amount of material to make outfits! ❤ I'm currently working with a men's denim shirt & a lovely flannel plaid shirt to combine to make a shacket for my self!
Sounds SO fun!
W😮w I just started to play with fabric for my paper projects and small bags... this is a game changer. Thanks for sharing! Also, keeps textiles out of the landfill or dumped in other countries for just a bit longer. God bless you! And thanks for sharing. 😊
Thank you SO MUCH for commenting! Best wishes on your fun projects.
These are great to make double folded bias tape! Thank you for these wonderful tips. Who knew?
Totally agree 100% cotton ONLY. Sourcing quality & unique fabrics with men's shirts & bedding! Been doing this for years. TY for your instruction!
Yes!
My ggd loves the comfort of cotton knit shorts,the fabric is hard to find here where I live,so I went to a newly opened thrift store and they had tons of men's brand new t shirts.I bought several,and like you bought the largest size which was 3x.The shirts were $3.99 each,so it only cost me that to make each pair of her shorts. Like you I also buy the men's cotton,button down shirt to make blouses for myself.I .ove plaids and stripes and men's shirts have a lot of both.Glad to meet another,smart,savvy sewer/seamstress.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Wow. Very good idea. Its very hard to find cotton fabric at my place and its usually expensive. I will go to thrift store and apply your tips
I found 100% cotton queen sz sheets in aqua, buttery yellow and a pretty floral..bought every single one for future sewing. Lucky find!
HOORAY!!!
I definitely need to focus on sewing for a season but I appreciate knowing how break down the shirt. My grandma used to make postage size quilts. I needed permission to throw out scraps.
You have my permission to send your scraps to a new home. (Bag them for your local thrift store or throw them out!) OR - here are crumb blocks. A fun way to use them up?
ruclips.net/video/gxhILCY7b7M/видео.html
I also use a lot of thrifted men's shirts in quilts. I do keep the usable fabric from the cuffs and the collar. They can be used for English paper piecing, or to make rag rugs. I also keep all of the longer cutoff seams. If the same pieces are too short, I throw them away. I plan to use all of the seams in a braided rug, eventually. Thank you for this video! It's good to see people being thrifty and up cycling!
Great tips.
I love men’s shirts for fabric! I think I need to put a limit on number of tubs like you do….I’ve lost track of what all I have. That
Nas for the tips.
A limit does help me.
What a great way to recycle shirts! I'm not much of a quilter, but can see the value in repurposing -- they would also be so useful for making children's clothing. Thank you for a well presented video and sharing your ideas with us.
Thank you for watching and commenting. So kind.
Thanks! I haven’t wanted to use shirts because it looked like such a hassle!
Well, you took that excuse away!
And, I love your attitude!
I like to do charity quilts, and I do hunt for nice sheets to use as quilt backs. If I buy the complete sheet set, I can gift the pillow cases and one of the sheets with the quilt.
Sounds lovely!!
Thanks for the great video. !!! I luv recycling with fabrics !!!
Me too!!
I can’t tell you how much I love this video. It was actually a wild ride. Thanks! Going to go thrifting tomorrow.
Have fun!
I love this!! Thank you for sharing how you salvage the shirts. I think the pockets would be great to use for a little pocket on purse linings.
Great tip!
Girl, you are one after my own heart!!! I have been thrift shop buying for years mainly for repurposing clothes.
Thanks for sharing this so others can know what can be done 😊❤
Love that!
I started this during the fabric shortage when everyone was sewing masks and slipped into a fabric collection habit that I just wont break! I have gathered so many great woven (not printed) fabrics. Good to see how you handle them. I've started cutting up polar fleece cast-offs to use as layers between cotton for coasters and small projects too.
Wonderful!
I started cutting up antique linens working around stains. Amazing how much fabric was in a huge tablecloth and napkins!
@@candykammerzell3919 I think there should be a section at the thrift store with stained and ripped clothing and sheets for upcycling, painting drop cloths, and times when you need grungy clothes. I'm not that hard on my clothes so I can't really downgrade that many.
So smart and creative
Such good information in this video. Those little pieces that might go in the trash are great to use in an animal bed.
I go to the french bins one a year. I take the biggest number of 100 % cotton men shirts what ever thé size, the color ...
I enjoy this kind of video
Sounds brilliant!
Straight to the point ! Thankyou❤
I’m not a quilter but what a great way to get quality cotton fabric at an affordable price! You have a great eye for putting colors and patterns together 🫶
Thank you so much!
Great tips. Thank you for sharing.
Love it! Great idea! I always think about sheets, but never thought about big men’s shirts!
Glad it was helpful!
"Harvesting"! Love that! I call it "Rescuing!"... I have only ever thrifted fabric for myself...then cotton sheets for my mom for her charity drawstring bags, that get filled with essenstials for Overseas. It is getting harder, as everyone is doing the same...either for sewing/quilting, or necessity. Our thrift stores are marking items to the point where we can go to Walmart and purchase new! CatBird Quilting on YT also thrifts mens' shirts for quilting...such a great idea!
Thank you for commenting!
What a fun and inspiring video! Will start doing this and filling my tubs!!
Have fun!
My boyfriend has given me his old shirts for me to make into something. I made a pillow with the polyester/rayon one that is cute!
FUN!!
Love your efficient way of deconstructing - have made many memory pillows for our local hospice and always struggle with the best and quickest way to get the most fabric out of the shirts and sometimes jeans and cargo pants. Love the keep the pocket and buttons to incorporate into a project. Thanks!!!!
Sounds like you are doing great work.
Good idea 💡
What a fantastic idea!!! Definitely going to be looking for very large mens shirts!
Yes!!
Great video! I love your four tub rule! Thank you🤗💗
Yh i do this, its a great and cheaper way to feed yr sewing/quilting addiction.
Just the video I needed. Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge and personality.
So glad!
Great video.
Use the cuffs and little strip you cut off the sleeve for a kitchen towel holder.
Love this! So insightful!
I buy fabric on Whatnot! Great deals!! :)
4 tubs? I admire your resolve. I love the idea of incorporating a ready made pocket. Thank you.
You bet!
دائما القميص الرجالي القطني هو المفضل عندي ، عندما كان ابني صغيرا كنت اقوم بخياطة السراويل له من قمصان زوجي ، والفساتين لأخته التوأم ، أما الان بعد ان كبرا افكر بجديه في صنع لحاف
Sounds wonderful!
Great idea! I'm collecting 100% cotton jeans to make a floor/picnic quilt and have to be watchful for that darned spandex.
Totally!
Great video. I invested in some electric scissors and they work so well for this job. I also harvest flannels for cozy quilts. I ALWAYS wash thrifted clothing.
Smart!! I generally wash them too. If they look smell and feel clean, I will wait and wash them after the quilt is made.
Why haven't we seen a quilt you have made from fabric recycled like this? I love this idea. Going to head to Goodwill and the thrift store.
Lots of the quilts I make don't make it into tutorials. But, I promise that this fabric gets used.
I love this thrift store. I've found many silk vintage Plus size dresses there
It really is the best.
You can use the cuffs to make little pouches. Sew up the sides, leave a flap to fold over and fasten. The flap can have the button holes and you can relocate the buttons to fasten the pouch. You can use the pouch for money, makeup, a small sewing kit to travel with you.... the sky is the limit. You can put the pouch in your pocket book. The interfacing in the cuff makes the pouch sturdier and the pattern of the shirt makes the pouch decorative.
Sounds Smart,
I like that your video was right to the point. I also get shirts at my local thrift store, They are a $1 a piece, some times 2 for the price of one, so very good value.
Fabulous Value!!
Great idea😍❤️
Glad you think so!
I have thrifted wool sweaters, felted them & then cut them up to make things. Tea cozy, hats, dog sweater, simple barn mittens. A purse, several totes, etc. Once felted they dont unravel. i also buy new sheet sets for summer blouses, often it is better fabric than I can buy at the fabric store. Im wearing a pair of shorts from some cotton sheets right now (I dont quilt. I like and use poly & microfiber blends. But I like pure cotton a lot too.)
We are wool twins. I quilt with wool and most of my supply has come from thrift stores exactly as you describe. Brilliant!
I dont make quilts but I have recently started to buy men's to make women's top / skirts by combining two or 3 matching shirt colors. Like a patterned blue with a lighter blue. Or a patterned red / white with a pure white trim. I will also try making tote bags and maybe a few other items too. Like a stuffed toy. Or a woven purse. Lots of things you can do with the fabric.
Yes!
This was great, thank you.
This is so cool! What a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing.
I use cuffs as the inner layer of coasters/table mats. Just lay out the rectangles touching (not overlapping) on a thin backer, and zigzag them into a thick fabric, and then put a pretty top and bottom layer.
Sounds great!
I love this idea!
I just retired so trying not to buy any more fabric. This is of course very difficult to do! But! Thrift shops to the rescue! I don’t feel guilty there ESP on Sr. or half off days. 👍🏻👍🏻🤓 Your 4 bin rule is genius, I’ll have to keep it to one but that’s ok, Imma get me the biggest bin I can find!😉
Sounds like a great plan!
Great video thank you for it !
Thanks for this! I spent days last week seam ripping some street found clothes (Brooklyn is good for those) and the gains weren't worth the time effort. I definitely am gonna try your method next time (though I'll keep the bits of collar and edges for slow stitching collages).
Very good idea must do on my list, I have so much .
Go for it!
Thanks for sharing
You bet!
I'm lucky enough to have a thrift store nearby where clothing is .25 and another that occasionally has sales where clothing ranges from a quarter to a dollar. At those prices I grab short-sleeve and occasionally kids shirts if they're an amazing color.
Also I've made garland for my Christmas tree using the buttons and twine. Time consuming but oh so beautiful!
Delightful!!