Eric basically hasn't lived at home for about 5 years. Our home as just kind of been a pit-stop. I started cleaning out a set of drawers and a closet along with a couple of boxes of things that I decided he truly didn't want. I started seeing a pattern of old tee shirts in every spot. There were tees dating back to 2003. It was a pretty safe bet that he had no intention of ever wearing them again,but I just couldn't see myself throwing them out.
I gathered them together. Wash them. Dried them. Pressed them. And started cutting them up.
I was going to make a Tee-Shirt quilt for Eric. That way, he'd have the shirts forever. Then I started researching all the tips I could find on making the quilt. I read about several 'horror' stories and thought I may be in over my head. I folded everything neatly and laid them on my sewing counter in my sewing room.
A while back I told Eric my plan-- He thought it was a great idea. When I saw him over Labor Day, he even brought a box of tees to me and said - " These are really sacred -- I want them in the quilt. But be careful with them and if you don't use them -- I want them back..."
Great - I'm going to cut these babies up and be the story of scarring the kid's childhood memories....
I emailed a friend. They said, Use light fusible interfacing-- that's the trick. My Mom even said -- 'You can do it.'
So I tackled my first tee-shirt quilt:
Chelsey told me she had always thought they were ugly, but the black sashing strips set it off.
And while it may not be the most beautiful quilt in the world--- it IS full of memories... that High School Job,
a Varsity Wrestling Team, The College Fraternity, the first 5K run, a Rock Concert.....Close to ten years worth of memories for Eric...
I have to get backing material and get it quilted for Christmas.....
7 comments:
Yay for you Melanie! You did a great job, it is really an attractive, manly looking quilt. I will freely admit that I have not the courage yet to make one.
Oh my gosh this is beautiful!!! I'd have been scared, too, to cut into the T's. I'm glad you mustered up the courage and went for it. This is an outstanding quilt, and I'm sure Eric will love it. Pat yourself on the back!
You did a magnificent job... I have heard that they can be tricky to make! It's a memory quilt for Eric!
That turned out great!! I agree, I am not a T-shirt quilt kinda girl, but I think that one looks pretty darn good! He will love it.
Mel it is just wonderful...he's going to love it. I've never done one...you are a very brave and good mom!
I may have to tackle one of these shortly - my son and his GF have been living in London for the past 18 months and doing quite a bit of travelling while they were there....they are now touring around your wonderful country and Mark has collected quite a few T-shirts from various places and said he would like me to make a quilt with them when they get home....so your post is a timely one....I like the idea of the black sashing on yours.
wow! it was pretty timely that I read your blog. I am about to start one for my hubby with all of his old rock and roll tshirts. thanks for the tip of the fusible interfacing. I like the black sashing. hopefully this will go smoothly. you have given me the incentive to give it a go~!
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