Friday, September 26, 2014

T-Shirt Quilts

It was a little over a year ago that our next door neighbor died tragically, leaving a wife and three children.  I knew that I wanted to make memory quilts for the children and their mom gave me a couple of bags of t-shirts, shorts, pajamas, badges, etc.  After contemplating the idea for months I finally decided on my design.

Their dad was a Fire Captain so the sashing fabric I selected was firemen themed and picked up all of the colors in the T-shirts.  Other than that, I worked at arranging my squares at 6, 12, 18 or 24” measurements.  It was my first attempt at such a project, but I think they turned out well.  One is finished and the last two just need the binding applied.   Parts of the quilts were done on their grandmother's Singer 301a that their dad had given me last year.  You can read about that post here.

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This week I also finished my little cross stitch project that I started while we were in Atlanta.

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Look at these cute little buttons.  Aren’t they sweet?  I used some Weeks hand dyed floss for the project and I love the color variations in the stitching that the hand dyed floss gives. 

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I’ve had a couple of really nice wins lately too.  The first was from Soma at Whims and Fancies.  I actually got these back in August and have been negligent in posting this nice win.  I like to have the little 2” squares already precut for a project.  Thanks, Soma.

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I also won some great patriotic fabric from Debby at Debby Kratovil Quilts.  These are really nice fabrics and will be fun to use.  Thanks, Debby.

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Jodi at Pleasant Home chose me as her winner of the Olfa giveaway celebrating their anniversary.  I was really pleased to have this 28mm cutter as I love using a small cutter for cutting out patterns when I am sewing clothing.  I have so much more control over the rotary cutter when it is small.  Look at the cute little Olfa pin too.

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The mail has been so exciting…….much better than the junk mail that normally fills the mailbox.

31 comments:

  1. What a great way for the kids to remember their dad. You did a great job! :0)

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  2. Fantastic job on the quilts. I'm sure they'll be treasured forever. You've certainly been keeping the postman busy. Congrats on your wins.

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  3. How nice those quilts are, and how sweet of your to make them!
    I'm not sure I'll ever tackle a t-shirt quilt, even with plenty of stabilizer.
    I'm sure they will be cherished!

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  4. Your quilts are wonderful! I am sure the children will treasure them for the rest of their lives. What a wonderful gift you have provided for them.

    The little cross stitch is lovely. I love the buttons...they add just the right touch.

    How about we go to Vegas together...maybe your luck will rub off on me.

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  5. Lovely memory quilts, well done. Very cute little stitchery with it's sweet buttons.

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  6. The children's memory quilts are fabulous. They will love them.
    Lovely little cross stitch and some nice wins there.
    The olfa pin is very cute.

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  7. good morning Mary....I love your t shirt quilts!! They are gorgeous? I made my first one probably 20 years ago. it was commissioned for a fireman in Washington, DC.

    they were here for a marathon he was competing in.
    I have never been able to reach them since 911, not good.

    I am making one for my oldest grandson for Christmas

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  8. I love how the t-shirt quilts turned out. What a wonderful gift for your neighbor's family! Truly a labor of love!

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  9. treasures for a treasure....and lovely stitching there...you may like what is planned soon

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  10. They all are wonderful. I'll be making some myself soon, as soon as the clothing arrives, for 3 young girls who lost their mom over the summer. The dad is in prison for molesting them and the step dad might be responsible for mom's death. So when I was asked to make them memory quilts from their mom's clothing I couldn't say no.

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  11. The three memory quilts are wonderful. There was such a unique variety of clothing and badges.

    I love the little cross stitch with the cute buttons!

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  12. The kids will love these quilts. What a thoughtful thing to do for them. Your x st has great impact, with the little buttons. I once did a lot of x st, and this made me think of starting again xx.

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  13. I know how much work (physically and emotionally) it is to make a memory quilt. They are beautiful gifts and I'm sure the children will cherish them forever.

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  14. No gift is better than one made from the hand and heart, Mary. These are treasures and sure to keep precious memories alive.
    Cheers!

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  15. What a beautiful memory you created for those children - they can wrap themselves in the quilt and get a hug from their dad! Bless you!

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  16. Wow those are nice wins and I am sure you will be putting them all to good use.

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  17. I've wanted to do that for my boys since their dad died - or rather something similar as he had no t-shirts left after his illness. So far it hasn't happened yet...maybe once all are graduated high school.

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  18. You did have some exciting mail...and those quilts will be cherished by those kids...what a wonderful thing you have done.

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  19. They will treasure these quilts forever. I made quilts for my nephew and two nieces...and my sister....when their father/husband died. I made them from his plaid and striped button down shirts, which he wore absolutely all the time. It's amazing at how much that means to them. blessings, marlene

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  20. I know they will treasure those beautiful quilts you made forever! It was very nice of you to make them.

    -Soma

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  21. Wow - you lucky girl!! Have you bought a lottery ticket lately? LOL!!! I keep thinking I need to try out those 2.5" charms, but I'm not sure what I'd use them for. Your cross-stitch is wonderful!!! And what can I say about the memory quilts? You have blessed that family in a way that will last for generations! The quilts are beautiful and you were very thoughtful in the arrangements and colors - way to go!!!

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  22. The quilts are wonderful! The children will be so pleased with them and treasure them forever!

    I think I have those buttons, now if I can find the website again for the directions. That is a lovely Nativity!

    You should play the lottery as you are always winning lovely things! What fun!

    Trying to rain here, I hope it does as everything is so dry. I hope we can get our permit for our bonfires when we get back from Colorado. R is going to hire an off duty fireman to be here with a water truck to keep an eye on things as there is no water up there where we are having the fires.

    xoxo

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  23. You are doing a wonderful thing for those children who lost their dad. The quilts will be such a blessing to them for years to come!

    Congratulations on all of your wins!

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  24. Such a kind and thoughtful gift for this family. Well done!

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  25. Way to go, Mary! Some nice wins *and* some lovely finishes! I love the tiny little rotary cutter pin -- too cute! And your cross stitch is precious! :)

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  26. You are doing such a wonderful thing for those children Mary! They will always have a part of their dad in those quilts! Congrats on your wins also!

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  27. You are definitely a winner! Those quilts are amazing. So kind of you to do that. I love them.

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  28. WoW! and double WoW! Those quilts are stunning! How sweet of you to make quilts for the family! Thank you for sharing! Cheers

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  29. Those t shirt quilts turned out perfectly and I'm sure are much appreciated. What a good way to help them remember their dad.

    Nice wins, too! You have had some good luck!

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  30. What a lovely present you have made for your neighbours. They will love these memory quilts of their Dad and husband.

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  31. I love memory quilts but not the reasons we need them.

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