recycled men's shirt quilt

Upon completion of my quilt yesterday, I found this partially written post I started when I began this project;

This past year my mother was asked to make a quilt in memory of a man who had passed away. His family brought my mum bags of his dress shirts of which he had a huge collection. My mum got to work cutting up and piecing together a beautiful quilt of checks, plaids, stripes and squares with pockets. It turned out beautifully. The family was so moved it made them cry. They asked her to make another. 

My mum has given me a bag containing all sorts of shredded shirts, the remnants of these two quilts.

I spent yesterday afternoon cutting up all the shirts, removing hems and seams so I can see how much fabric I have to work with.


I have so many ideas. First one on the agenda is a patchwork picnic blanket for the girls.



This is what I love about recycling found things, broken things, things you love. It can give something a new purpose. You can hold onto something that you treasure. You can make new memories from old ones. 

It was so nice to find this post and look back at my Canadian summer, quilting with my mum. 8 months later the quilt is finally complete.

 

Although we never knew the man that once owned these shirts, I love knowing a little history about them and will look forward to making our own history with their new purpose.

Comments

[Meaghan Keogh]

That is so lovely - I too have a couple (yes more than one!) quilts in the cupboard that I've had for.....hmm years doesn't seem to be the right word! You've inspired me to dig them out and finish them :)

[Maree Rose]

What a great project! I always wonder what can be done with the bag of mens shirts for $5 at the op-shops. I am going to buy the next bag I see. This is gorgeous.