Sunday, April 25, 2021

Quilt Reveal: Blue Shirts Quilt

 

I put the last stitches on the shirts quilt this week. It is strange to give you a quilt reveal without showing it all to you, but it is a very large quilt and  I will need help to show the whole thing to you. For good lighting, the photo has to be taken outside, and I don't want to get it dirty by laying it on the ground.

Maybe we will take the quilt for a walk so you can get a complete picture.


The quilt is made out of shirts that my brother-in-law wore until they were declared unsuitable for wear. We both like the idea of extending their life by turning them into a quilt. He isn't a lounge under a lap quilt guy, so I had to make a bed quilt. It has a 8 x 8 block layout, so it is approximately 80 x 80 inches.

Did you notice the row of one inch squares on the bottom left?


I made the quilt by cutting different size squares that would become ten inch blocks. There are a few rectangles in there too. I quilted it with an all over simple pattern meant to disguise the blocks.


I even used a shirt to make the label. I used shirts that had stains on them and I was looking for something to explain why. Mostly, I just wanted to tell the history of the shirts and show how well-loved they were.  This was the best I could find:

 

We leave a stain. 

We leave a trail. 

We leave an imprint.

 

2021:  Weeks 17 of 15 Minutes to Stitch

 


This week, using only 15 minutes at a day, I stitched the rest of the binding and label of the shirts quilt.

15 minute days this week --7 out of 7
15 minute days this year -- 115 out of 115 days
Success rate  = 100%
 

I was at 95% at this time last year, because I slipped this week last year. I haven't made a small quilt this month, but am trying to think of a quick one I can finish before the end of the month.


Linked with:

15 Minutes to Stitch

 

12 comments:

Robin said...

Quilts are so much more than just finely cut and assembled fabric. Quilts are memories

Sherrie said...

Hi,
I always work a piece of fabric from clothing fabric, that belonged
to a family member. I agree with Robin, Quilt are memories. Have a great day!

Joyful Quilter said...

What a great gift for your brother-in-law. 80x80 that's a lot of blue shirts ;o)

O'Quilts said...

Great idea...great job..and great finish!!! xo

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

I think it's a wonderful idea to make a quilt like this - and all the gentle blues go so well together.

Kyle said...

Those well loved shirts barely have any blue left. It's an awesome gift and the verse for the label is perfect.

R's Rue said...

Beautiful

Rose said...

I love it...that all over quilting is just perfect for it.

Queeniepatch said...

The unique quilting design does the trick - it disguises the blocks. Looking at this quilt I think of the sky with all the shades of blue.

Kate said...

Congrats on the finish! That label is just perfect. Congrats on the 100% at almost 1/3 of the year through!

Kaja said...

Fantastic! I love the words you added; they are true of the stains and marks but also true of your touch and work in making the shirts into a quilt.

Tanya said...

What a wonderful quilt!!! What a wonderful label! I love it and I love the way you used your brother's shirts, stained and all!