Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Worn and Washed

Work in Progress

I am all for using and reusing fabrics, no piece too small, and saving the scraps. So, when I spotted this bundle of reclaimed shirt fabrics at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham (UK) earlier this month, it was destined to come home with me. The bundle is collated by Kim Porter who sells reclaimed fabrics under the Worn and Washed label.

Worn and Washed - Reclaimed Shirt Fabrics Quilt

And so it began. Cut. Sew. Press. Repeat. The pieces of fabric in the bundle varied in size from 5 inch squares to larger pieces measuring 5 inches x 12 inches. All pieces were shirting fabrics but varied in weave and print. I therefore decided that a scrappy and improvised patchwork design was the way to proceed with these fabric pieces. 

Worn and Washed - Reclaimed Shirt Fabrics Quilt

My purchase also included a small variety of shirt patch pockets, labels, buttons, cuffs, and plackets all of which have been incorporated into my patchwork.

Worn and Washed - Reclaimed Shirt Fabrics Quilt
Worn and Washed - Reclaimed Shirt Fabrics Quilt
I have also added a few pieces of fabric from my stash including the floral prints as well as the red/white gingham. Frustratingly and despite my best efforts and a positive attitude, it didn't take long for me to rediscover that no matter the amount of fabric play improvised and random piecing is not my favorite way to work. I am however determined to finished this quilt.

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
More RPQ reclaimed fabric projects.

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37 comments:

  1. That is just gorgeous! I'm going to hit up all the guys at work for their old business shirts now.

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  2. Love it! That red check really works.

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  3. Muy original con unos tejidos de camisas se hacen maravillas lo importante es la imaginacion

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  4. Wow Rita, you outdo yourself. I wish I could get my hands on a bundle of those! That said, I guess there are shirts all over the world-- just the gathering and collating is time consuming! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. another seller I missed!! I had 3 days and still did not get round to see everything. You have done a great piece with these shirtings

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  6. Lovely stuff! The addition of the gingham and florals just lifted it away from being too bland. I often buy shirts from charity shops to add to my stash, but am now inspired to make a totally shirty quilt.

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  7. I absolutely love this. Using the buttons and pockets is genius! I understand how putting all those different sized pieces together is taxing on the brain. Are you sleeping well this week?

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  8. It may not be your favorite way to work, but those florals and red ginghams you added really gave this design some punch! I'd say you succeeded, no matter the labor pains.....

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  9. What an incredible piece! The piecing is perfect. And so are your personal additions. Love this!

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  10. The piece is coming along great. Improv piecing is almost all I do anymore. I only have one suggestion. I would not have sewn the buttons or labels on until after the piece is quilted. The buttons might get in the way with what ever design you use for quilting this piece.

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  11. This is wonderful Rita! I love the details of the button, pockets and labels too :)

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  12. aaw.. this is an awesome quilt ever Rita...

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  13. I made a quilt from my husband's shirts for my dad, and I still have a bag of fabric left over for a second. I didn't think of using the pockets. I'll have to get more creative with the second.

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  14. I love your quilt! and I love the idea that someone is making a business out of reclaiming fabric from clothing.

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  15. Great patchwork, even if it has been a challenge. I made a memory quilt recently that had loads of pockets - nightmare to quilt around. I've just found a supplier of end-of-bolt shirting - absolutely beautiful quality and perfect for patchwork. I haven't used any 'worn' shirts in my quilt but love the worn and washed look of yours.

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  16. Rita--this is fabulous! This quilt definitely needs to be finished. I love your determinatio to get it done. It will be amazing. Inspiring me . . .

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  17. GORGEOUS!! Love the added touches to this quilt!! Way to go!
    P

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  18. This is just beautiful! Makes me want to go gather a bunch of shirts!

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  19. oh, my!!! What a stunning quilt. I love absolutely everything about it. So looking forward to seeing how you quilt it.

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  20. I didn't know you were going to the Festival of Quilts, I would have loved to meet up with you there! I always look at the Worn and Washed stall but have never done so! Your Improv quilt looks lovely but I understand your difficulty about making one!

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  21. I really like what you have done with this bundle - I would read this as a bunch of women's shirts (I wore such shirts back in the day) because of the great lightness of colors. I am with you on scrappy, unplanned - I have to force myself to sew this way and I do not find it relaxing

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  22. I think this is marvellous! Beautiful, creative, and functional as a quilt. Well done!

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  23. Oh but you are getting on swimmingly with the random piecing! I'm sorry you're not enjoying it more, because you can certainly do it well. But, always follow your heart, of course! wishing you well, Rita.

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  24. This is making for a sweet quilt..I can't help loving the "Nash" in the middle....it is my son's name :)

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  25. Love the combination of those fabrics and the shirt patches with buttons still on them. I went around a few summers ago to garage sales and bought up a bunch of men's plaid shirts, would not pay more than $1. I was able to get 2 quilts out of them. They are darker colors than yours and look nice and masculine for guy quilts. Hang in there - you'll love it when you're finished!

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  26. Love it! I've been saving shirts for a little while now, so this has been pinned to my quilty board!

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  27. I saw these too at the Show. It was very tempting because they were all parcelled up so nicely but I have a huge collections of shirt just waiting to be cut in the cupboard! The work you've done so far looks great. x

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  28. What a great quilt. I particularly like the use of buttons and labels.

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  29. You are so creative! I look at your blog and immediately find inspiration. Not only for projects, but also for my own blog. Keep it up!

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  30. Rosemary B here:
    I DO save mens old shirts, and .... some of the old boxer shorts are nice too.
    This is a great pattern you made, I agree though, the colors or something do not set me on fire. I love the patterns of mens shirts. Perhaps it is the red gingham that is bothering me.
    As ALWAYS, I do love your style, and your pattern ideas. They are exceptional, and this fabric challenge you gave yourself just proves that you can make something beautiful no matter what is thrown at you.
    Thank you for sharing

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  31. Surprised to read that you found this frustrating--- it looks so cool and calm! I am always inspired by the challenges you set yourself. This is a real departure from your last several pieces. Please keep trying new things.

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  32. So pleased that my two favourite quilting Kims have come together! I am a big fan of Worn&Washed, having bought a bundle of 'forgotten flannels' for my Mum at Malvern earlier this year plus a bundle for myself similar to the one you have used. I was far less inventive in putting mine together than you have been, but luckily I have been collecting old shirts and sheets ever since to put together my own bundles.
    I was also at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham (as I only live down the road in Solihull). Exciting to think that my quilting idol was in the building :-)

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  33. I feel certain you will have a tutorial on this! And of course l am choking you!

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  34. This is so cute. I love the little labels and buttons and tiny pieces of what looks like liberty fabric mixed in.

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  35. Love love love this quilt and exactly my kinda thing. Did you use a specific pattern for this or free style? I have about 3 black sacks of my husbands old work shirts I keep storing away with a project in mind one day :-)

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