How I Store My Dress Shirts - From Thrift Hauls Before I Break Them Down For Quilting

[@dawnbrumfield7895]

I have an idea for people hesitant to cut a shirt… as you break it down, pray for the man who donated it! Thank God for that man and ask God to bless him in his new shirts😊. That’s what I do. I don’t know who he was, but God sure does!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Dawn, what a sweetheart you are! 🥰 I love this idea! ❤️

[@TheRozylass]

I can understand your bag of shame. Years ago I used several shirts for projects and just cut out what I needed, leaving a mess behind. After learning from you how to efficiently break down a shirt I took care of those leftovers and was pleasantly surprised at how much fabric I recovered! So thank you, I did learn from you and it's been a big blessing! Your sense of humor is infectious and I enjoy your sweet southern drawl. I lived in the south 45 years ago and have never forgotten how much I loved it.

[@carolcurley7840]

My husband has a fetish for brightly patterned shirts and as he has changed shape over the years there is now a large amount in my craft room. He had 120 shirts at one time until I said it was time to admit there were a lot which were too small 😂. I have made reversible aprons for 7 of my grandchildren and plan to make a lot more things after watching your videos. I am now going to store them this way, such a brilliant idea 👍

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Carol, you lucky duck--all that glorious brightly patterned fabric! 🤩❤️😍

[@janiewilliams5803]

Good ideas!! I LOL at "abandoned all real responsibility", "rainbow order. You don 't have to do this." and "bag of shame" 😀

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I’ll be honest, when we did the edit, I lol’d at “abandoned all real responsibility” myself! 😂

[@privateinfo1711]

You've had such an effect on me. I now watch your videos and think how nice your blouses would look in a quilt....

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol! 😂 I think the same when I’m out and about and I see a man wearing an interesting shirt (or my pharmacy partner, or the lady in line at the bank…) It‘s like having new eyes, isn’t it? 🤓❤️😊

[@privateinfo1711]

My son in law is 6'3". I always think that his shirts have a lot of fabric in them!

[@sadiejosiemom]

Cathy, you spark joy for me - so I'm keeping you in my subscription feed!! I follow a woman from the UK who has become very into recycling, having less clothing, not using plastic. She's just very much wanting to reduce her footprint. So, her husband wears dress shirts and he had a bunch that he wanted to get rid of so instead of donating or tossing them, she cut them apart and made a very simple patchwork quilt that resides on their bed. It melts my heart each time I see it. It's blue, of course - because like you say - that's what's out there. So lovely.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww! Thank you so much! 🥰❤️(And yes, those simple patchwork quilts-I think they are the best!)

[@deliad8826]

Would that be Gayna from Tales of Cukoo Land? She’s wonderful ❤

[@sadiejosiemom]

@@deliad8826 Yep!

[@deliad8826]

@@sadiejosiemom 🥰🥰

[@AmandaIsAwesome]

Oh I’m totally prone to not wanting to cut into beautiful fabric!! But it does me no good just sitting on a shelf. I love these ideas!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh yay! Cut that fabric girl!! USE IT. ❤

[@katherinegowan7549]

Yesterday I came home from the thrift store with a motherlode of wonderful men’s dress shirts. 34! Today I get to wash, dry, and store them in an orderly fashion. Thanks for your kind instructions! 😊

[@kylierigby1953]

Wow, it is amazing just how small those full shirts will become when broken down! You've inspired me to go with neutrals and coloured in my boxes, once I finish sorting them out. Thanks for inspiring us again. ☺️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?! And you’re welcome! 🥰❤️

[@shannoneaster9311]

Funny that you’d mention a motherlode of shirts. We currently live in Sonora CA which is part of what is considered “the Motherlode” area of Northern California. So Cathy, you’ve got a fellow quilter watching from California’s Motherlode country! The origin story is rooted in the California gold rush. Fun fact! 😁💛⚖️⛏ And…we too have been known to go hog wild crazy and get a burr up our butts now and again! Thanks for the fun and informative video. Cheers from Motherlode country!❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Well isn’t that just so fun!! Glad to know that more than just Southerners can get burrs up our butts, go hog wild crazy AND hit the Motherlode! 😂😂😂

[@TheQuiltingLunchLady]

Thank you for the inspiration you give us Kathy. Your positive can do attitude is a pleasure to watch. Loved the “scarf”, a challenge for you is to make one with your scraps! Thanks again!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks Christine! And yes that “scarf” made me laugh too! 😂

[@sandyweirauch8310]

Too funny! I’m sure we all have or had a bag/box/tote. . .or two. I had one a few years ago - took me two years to face it and fix it. Yours brought back memories.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Sandy…or 3 (or 4!) LOL! Glad to know I’m not alone! 🥰❤️🤓

[@mygrommi]

Cathy, since discovering your channel, I have become the owner of an AMAZINGLY LARGE number of thrift store shirts. It’s actually a 3-digit number. 😮 I wash the shirts immediately and had been stashing them in totes without folding and without sorting by color. After watching this video, I spent all day sorting by color and folding my shirts. What a difference now to be able to see what I have. I have also just begun breaking down my shirts and have “broken-down/cut-up” (😂) up 5 purple shirts that have now become “fabric” rather than a shirt. I love purple and I love how the broken-down fabric stores so neatly and is so pretty. 😊😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Wow!! That's a lot of shirts, but how awesome that now you have them organized and can see what you have!!🤩 Once they are broken down it is really cool how it just feels like beautiful fabric from then on out! ❤️

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

Its like going to the store and finding gems….I love your bins.

[@marygem]

So many thanks for relating so effortlessly about fabric with us!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You’re welcome! And thank YOU for watching! ❤️

[@poppies1215]

Lovin’ all the honesty…I so can relate. I, too, am a Tote lady. My latest challenge is to find ones that have lids compatible with their high stacking ability. Maybe that’s a throwback to the building block days of my youth? You know, building them up and breaking them down, theoretically like shirts? As for the shirt storage issue…mine are in decorative indestructible oversized Marshall’s (bargain store chain in the Northeast) bags for the moment. My “Claim To Shame” on a grand scale. Still working on their move to a tote…as you say…one shirt at a time. Somehow I think if I force myself to be more constructive and organized I may be likely to lose the creative side of my existence and actually find the room I need…NOT! My family will be the first to second that!! 😆Thank you again for the kick start to go hog wild today. After all, it IS Senior Tuesday at GoodWill isn’t it???😉🪡🧵👼💕

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Pamela, you are so welcome! 🥰❤️ and I hope you hit the Motherlode at the Goodwill today! 🤩

[@christinahall3318]

Thank you so much for bringing some sunshine & JOY (#2023Word) into my life today!!! I am lounging here with the flu (day 3 ) and I so want to go to my sewing studio and work on those two quilts I started last week. Thank you for sparking joy and laughter in me today. Love you sis! BTW you are so southern - Burr in my butt & hog wild crazy!!!! LOVE IT!😂❤😂❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You are welcome, sis! Hope you get better SOON! 🙏🏻❤🥰

[@poppies1215]

Footnote: “kick-start”, the downward thrust on a foot pedal, as in a motorcycle action. In slang, an action to motivate. I thought the spelling might be one word. Instead it has a hyphen. Never quite understood the grammar of that but had to check its accuracy for myself…fascination with words.

[@windsorlewis3344]

I spontaneously started going through my old stash over the weekend. I ironed the small pieces, organized them, and started cutting them into charm squares and jelly roll strips. It felt pretty good! I’m excited to keep going so that I can start incorporating my stash; some pieces of which are no2 30 years old!!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That’s so awesome, Windsor!! It’s a huge accomplishment to get ANY fabric organized but definitely shirt fabric! 🤩❤️

[@jeanhicks1933]

I've been a fan of your channel from the beginning, but this video was such a turning point for me. This was the key piece for me to get from a huge pile of shirts to being able to pull fabric to make a quilt. So 5 days after watching this video, I now have 2 storage boxes full of shirt fabric neatly folded and ready to use! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are so right, it makes me very happy to see all my shirt fabric broken down into usable fabric pieces and organized in my storage boxes.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh, Jean! That is so wonderful and makes ME very happy too!🥰❤️ Congratulations on your newfound storage system---I hope it gives you so much joy and helps you make beautiful quilts! ❤️

[@LanaGB05]

Love waking up seeing notification about your new video! ☕ Other duties get done fast so I can enjoy my cuppa and listen your story and your highly contagious laugh. 🤣 Brilliant storage system ✨. My first instinct was "I would probably fold the buttons inwards, so I don't see them", and then you say it ❤️, of course, coz you've got lots to say about...everything. ❤️❤️❤️ It feels nice to know there are more people like minded and they not hesitant to express themselves and through them I kinda get self-approval. 💖

[@jenniferschildt6635]

Yes! Coffee with a girlfriend while we natter about quilting, great way to start the day!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Lana! I get that same approval when one of you comments, “me too!” Or “I do that!” 🥰❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

@@jenniferschildt6635 thank you!

[@AnitaSouthall]

Suffice to say, you crack me up with your classic phrases. I do sort by colour for large and size for small pieces. Keeping organised is a daily challenge . Happy new sewing year to all your viewers. 🇦🇺🖐😊💜

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Anita!

[@ajamjar]

I love having your videos playing and you chatting away while I sew. You have tons of interesting info and explain things so well. Buying from the thrift store is going to really help me with my low-spend 2023.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much! 🥰❤️

[@mama24fb27]

Just seeing your colorful, beautiful shirts all stacked neatly in your bin sparks joy 🤩🤩

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?!? Me too!🤩😍❤️

[@QUILTINGCHAP]

Well this enables me to buy more shirts! I had 4 or more that I hadn't broken down and I didn't know what to do with them. So they were hanging on the back of my quilting/desk chair. At least it motivated me to break them down more quickly! But when I get more I will store them neatly in a container. Thanks for this and all your videos! I have made 1 small gingham quilt with my first shirts and have the shirt fabric for another all ready to go!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Quiltingchap, that is so exciting to me that you made a first gingham quilt! 🤩 I hope it was so fun for you…obviously it was somewhat enjoyable or you wouldn’t be starting another! 😂😍So glad you enjoyed this video; I think having a place to store the shirts is really helpful because you never know when you might find a ton of shirts on sale and then we need a place to put them!! 🤓👍🏻

[@robertamccarter4573]

The bright purple shirt sparks Joy in me!😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Me too!!! ❤️

[@RobinHarris61]

Hi Cathy! Great video! I laughed so hard at you putting that shirt/scarf around your neck. 🤣I like to wash my shirts, put them on a hanger and hang them on the door knob of my sewing room. Then I have to look at them every time I go through the door. It helps me to get to them sooner. I like to break down one shirt each time I come in and sit down to watch a video. Keeps them from piling up. Also, two of my daughters and I went thrifting today. I didn't get a single shirt! But I found a little bag of fabric. When I got home and opened it up, there were seven fat quarters of fabric. Each one different, and all with cats on them. All for $4. 😁

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Well hooray for inexpensive fat quarters! I laughed about that scarf thing too-I’m such a weirdo! 😂 But then I think you knew that already!😂🥰❤️

[@RobinHarris61]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Weirdo's love other weirdo's! 🙃😁🥰❤

[@juliejeavons6949]

Oh yes, I do that self sabotage thing with not filling the petrol tank! Have you heard the expression “If you can’t be a role model, be a cautionary tale”? Your bag of shame fits that so well. I have a bag of shirts to wash and a case of shorts to break down and the QAL I wanted to use them for is already 7 blocks in so I must get cracking before I become a cautionary tale……

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I have never heard the “role model/cautionary tale” thing but I LOVE it! And I don’t honestly mind being a cautionary tale as long as it helps people not make the same mistakes! 🤣😂🤓

[@jennjennedington279]

I laughed so hard at this! A brilliant phrase

[@lynnedavis7377]

Loved this vlog especially the backless shirts ...I giggled uncontrollably..brilliant .....xx

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Lynne! ❤️

[@sueharber2496]

I am sitting her watching your video, wondering how I'm going to get to work, because I have no time and no petrol - that is exactly what I did last night 😂😂 Am I rushing to make time time to go get fuel? No! I'm sitting here with a coffee watching your video - a much better use of my time I think. Love the bag of shame - we all have one of them with something in it - and I totes love totes too - that cracked me up 😂😂 Such a joyous video - thank you

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Sue! 🥰❤️ Now go get some gasoline!

[@sueharber2496]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts I did - just about made time 😂😂

[@mpete2525]

Exactly what I need and want to do! Organization! Thanks Cathy.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Hooray! Glad this one hit you just right, Meyrick! ❤️

[@pamelagreen8543]

Cathy, you crack me up. I identify with sooooo much of what you say and talk about! I'm sure we could be lifelong friends.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I'm so glad I make you laugh! I think a lot of what I say is what other quilters think too---but I bet we'd be friends too! ❤️

[@connieking9873]

Good video for when you don’t have time to cut your shirts down. This is still to much bulk for me. I have very small storage space so am trying to keep on top of my shirts. When I bring home they go into laundry after drying I cut apart all usable pieces. Next I stack all the pieces together on top of the back the small ones with the front sleeves yoke then fold into center burying edges. Continue folding until the shirt is maybe 8x10. Stack into clear container where I can see them all. I like how you color coded yours. Think I need to do this next.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Yes, when space is limited, choices have to be made! 🤓👍🏻Good on you for staying on top of your process…life goals for me! ❤️

[@jodesmond6782]

This posting could not have come at a better time for me. I had a few bags of thrifted men's dress shirts in my closet that were waiting to be broken down, but like you, I couldn't see what I had. Yesterday I had to have my closet painted, so everything had to come out. Yikes! Sobering to see how naughty I have been at Goodwill. "Well, it was only a dollar!!" Famous last words. So, this morning I started your folding method. Like you, if I can't see it, I can't use it. Or, even worse, I may buy another one just like it. Thanks so much for all the practical advice you give your faithful followers.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Jo! And yes, my goodness it is convicting when we realize the shirts we’d forgotten we even had!! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@marleneo2581]

You bring me joy, never an episode without laughter. Thank you for that. I have break down what I bring in from the thrift store before my husband sees it: "this will fit so & so..." He gave away all 3 pairs of my extra steel toe work boots.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh I’m so glad, Marlene, that I bring you joy!❤ Tell your husband “hands off” your stuff! 😂😉

[@MsAmberSunshine]

I should be doing some adulting now. Husband went to Costco brought back a lot. Everything‘s put up except he wants me to deconstruct the roasted chicken. Package and put away for another day. Well, I tell you I’m not only need a toolbox for my sewing room. I need a toolbox for my kitchen. My poultry shears have disappeared. So I’ve opted out looking for the poultry shears that aren’t where they’re supposed to be. To watch this video cause I do need to get my shirt stash in order that’s adulting too, isn’t it? Like you said outta sight out of mind. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration when I say I think I have 55 gallon extra large trash bins that were bought specifically for storing fabric in. Originally got these for my teenage granddaughter who thinks she needs to have a new wardrobe every season, but doesn’t wanna let go of anything. Trying to get her to purge her wardrobe is crazy. I’m no better not willing to purge my shirts or fabric. But I may have to make that decision sometime soon just to set an example. By the way, I got the utility style quilt book for everyday living and while I was testing the old-fashioned pressure cooker, I looked through it while waiting to hear the gentle rocking of that thing a ma gig that’s on top of the pressure cooker. I’m happy to say the water test was successful and I think I got this pressure cooker for like three dollars at rummy sale. It happened to be raining that day And the lady that was having the rummage sale her husband was helping her he said everything is 50% off because it’s raining and I want my garage back. I need to park my car in the garage. Just have to say I so enjoy your videos you are an inspiration, and Paul is too by the way. Hope you’re having a great day wherever in the world you may be..

[@JudySmith-f8x]

😂😂😂 I love your videos! Thanks for the laughs and the tips.❤

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

I believe you have a very good husband, similar to mine. Patient and loving and understanding…..he never says a word…mostly.

[@lauracurnan3255]

Thank you for your "lots to say". I can relate. My one bin is now two of broken down shirts. And I have saved all of the buttons! I look foward to all your videos. Have a great day.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Laura!❤

[@dorrisdale6269]

I understand about not wanting to cut into a good shirt. I am having a problem right now because my daughter's husband wears a size 4 xl and is trying to lose weight, so I am giving him first dibs on all the 4 xl shirts I find and am reluctant to cut into the 3 xl incase he needs them in the relatively near future. That leaves me with only the smaller sizes or any shirts he doesn't like.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That IS a dilemma! But you can get plenty of mileage from smaller shirts! 😊👍🏻🤓

[@susanholmes4158]

Just curious. What do you do with all the buttons? Maybe you have said this already, so sorry if I have missed it.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I have a button jar that collects them (for now)…I donated a bunch to a crafty friend last year, and that felt right. If I knew someone that would use them, I’d give them all away! ❤️

[@silver_csmith]

Oh my goodness YES I totally do the gas thing!!….and there is NEVER time in the morning🫣🤦🏻‍♀️😆LOL

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Self sabotage at it’s very best! 😂

[@bethliebman8169]

Great cautionary tale with your bag o' shame. I resonated to your observation that your dealing with that heap of shirts cleared up mental space--things like that happen to me. I really value my mental space. I love your videos!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Beth! ❤ Clearing out that space in my head is what I need to be able to tackle some of the more difficult things I have to do/face, I think! So worth it.

[@elizabethcollins8817]

I look forward to your future projects 🤗

[@sherryfaires7931]

This was wonderful! Yes, I have walls of shelves of shame! I love fabric! I wish I had limited myself many years ago! The ideal would be to buy what I need for one project and get it done! But NOOOOO!!! My thought was that it might not be available when I want it, or it’s on sale right now, so I had better get it now! Excuses Excuses! Thanks for your insight! I wish I had heard this 20 years ago! 🫤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Sherry! ❤️ It is easy to add to the fabric stash without realizing how much we really have! The quilters dilemma! 🤓

[@carmencreamer3769]

This inspired me to organize my shirts…few are broken down…I hadn’t even washed the big pre-Christmas haul! I did organize them in a biggggg tote…at least better than the two garage bags and small overgrown tote…and while I knew I didn’t need more, I went to one thrift store as a reward….ha, ha! At least I only bought one shirt and one sheet!!! Blessings on you, I so enjoy your channel…although my husband would probably say you are enabling me!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Well, Carmen, I’m glad you’ve at least got them organized now! ❤️

[@saraborisch5343]

Oh my goodness.....can I ever relate to getting to the bottom of a bag, box, closet, storage bin and saying "Oh, I forgot I had that"! I am going to put my fabric in bins so that I can see them. I am so that person about putting gas in my car. Such a tedious and often chilly task.......

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?!?

[@lstein0]

Side note: "I love words", and our friendship is cemented. :)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww, Lisa! 🥰❤️ I’m glad our friendship is firm now! 😂🤓😘

[@susanvoth5831]

I’ve been going to thrift stores for men’s shirts for a very long time. I always buy silk shirts. After I break down the shirts I call them “rescue silk.” I wish I could share a photo of one quilt I made using a pattern that I altered from Kaffe Fassett’s V&A Quilts book called Floral Bricks. It’s quite beautiful. Sometimes I do feel guilty turning perfectly serviceable silk shirts into fabric - take a deep breath, and let ‘er rip!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I'm with you on that...let 'er rip!! And I bet your quilts ARE beautiful--wish I could see them! ❤️

[@peggersf9709]

Ditto on the gas for the car. I’ve gone as far as rubberbanding a note around the keys so I, well ya know. 😂😂 Love that idea of fabric on its side so it can be seen. 🤷‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ why didn’t I think about that. Have a great weekend

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Peggers! You too! ❤️

[@vloggingwithnina273]

I just went through this dilemma today.lol I kept pulling out fabric that I forgot that I had. Now to figure out what to do with it all.lol My fabric though is mainly yardage(meters here in Canada). I'm thinking of using comic book boards to make "mini bolts" and put them on a shelf. I was thinking possibly smaller version for broken down shirts, fat quarters and partial yardage.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Nina, it happens all the time! "What? I love this one...how did I forget about it?!" Another viewer messaged me (in IG or FB) with photos of her shirt fabrics folded around comic book boards and stored on shelves...it looked fantastic AND functional, so I say go for it! 🤩🤓👍🏻

[@beckyjohnson9917]

Oh my goodness 🙆🏼‍♀️ This came at the perfect time- my shirts are hooked on the back of the bedroom door- a lot of them! Getting a couple of totes today💃🏼

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

So glad it came at the right time for you!!

[@lnldjimmieclouff1773]

For the last part (scarf) I cut in little pieces and scrap piece

[@lmstout100]

I was just wondering this exact thing this week. I've got a stack( mound, heap) of clean shirts. What to do with them until I'm ready to cut them down? Perfect timing.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

How wonderful! Glad it came at the right time! 🥰❤️

[@julias.8236]

I had to giggle several times 😅 nice video indeed. I also have to see my fabrics. Since several years now I have an IKEA Billy shelf where on the bottom are some magazines and books and the remaining 3 boards have my collection of quilting cottons wrapped around comic book cards and stored like little bolts of fabric. For smaller pieces I cut the comic book cards down to A5 and everything around a fat quarter is wrapped like that. For even smaller pieces I have a cardboard box and the fabrics are facing up as well. And finally it goes down to the "toss all small pieces in and wonder what you'll find later" box. But this shelf of mini fabric bolts always visible (and put to the wall with rarely sun shining on it) gives soo much joy and it helps limiting myself from impulse buying since if there is no more room to store I will not be able to display new stuff and it won't get me joy 👍

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

A great system…love that! ❤

[@Cassandra-..-]

Also trying to do just a little more for Future Me (e.g., get the gas now) in 2023. Loved your bag of shame story!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Cassandra-that’s really it, isn’t it? “Future Me” deserves as much consideration and care as “Now Me!” Love it! Get it girl!❤

[@jwestfalldavis3574]

I get it! So glad I am not the only one:)

[@donnarichey144]

I watched a lady opened all the seams on sleeves and all parts of the shirts. Do you do that? Are they all cotton or poly also? Thank you I guess I ask before I watch the whole video. Thank you for sharing, I like to listen to your voice.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Donna! ❤️ I have a whole video series on how I breakdown shirts that shows my process, if you want to check it out. (And one on cotton poly.) I try to stick with all cotton. 🤓👍🏻

[@georgiadabinett6312]

I keep them hung up in the closet in my sewing room....when I run out of hangers I prioritize breaking them down. I haven't broken down the linemen shirts I'm starting to buy though so space is at a premium at thismpoint. Okay where do you store all the totes? I had to switch to bookcases for folded stash fabric because the totes got cumbersome to swap around.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Georgia, I put the totes underneath a nearby desk. 😊👍🏻🤓

[@lindameyer3005]

I’m jealous of what you’re able to find in a thrift shops. Yesterday I went to a large thrift shop and the men’s long sleeve shirts, sizes L, LX & LXX we’re all priced between $12.00 CA and $14.00. CA There weren’t any sheets suitable for backings. 😢 I also stopped at a quilt shop for a look around and saw the majority of the fabric were $20.00/meter. There were no bargains to be had at either place. Thank goodness I built up a stash years ago when I could find sale batiks for $5.00. Thanks for your videos.7

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I have heard that we are lucky here in America with the amount and price of clothes in our thrift shops! And my goodness, that is crazy the price of fabric in your quilt shops! 😱👎🏻😭

[@deafsetter]

Fun and informative. Thanks.

[@gisellejones1139]

Oh my gosh Kathy...you come with BAGGAGE ...LOL

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Giselle, you don’t even know! 😂😂😂 (I’m fun tho! ❤)

[@carolslantz2224]

I could use that part of a shirt and use it for adult bibs.

[@heidithatcher-miller9512]

I still have not broken down the shirts from my last trip to the Goodwill Outlet, they are piled totes in the corner. But I cannot start another project because I need some of them. For another day right now!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It’s awesome that you’re using them tho!

[@moonlightcrafter6299]

Currently I have two 18-gallon totes full of shirts waiting to be deconstructed and probably could halfway fill another. I'm on a bit of a shirt diet as I'm refraining from cutting any more up until I use a lot of what I already have but I've given myself full freedom to buy more. 😂 I mean I found four purple plaid shirts last week and would have been heartbroken if I'd left them behind as we all know they're almost as rare as hen's teeth. I do like the idea of having them in a clear tote but used what I had. I did however organize them according to color.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

"Rare as hen's teeth" ---a great old saying! So glad you got your shirts organized by color...I think it really helps when the time comes to select fabrics for a new quilt! 🤓👍🏻

[@lnldjimmieclouff1773]

When i bought men shirts, wash, dry AND break down. After it Is cutting Time. I don t have so many room in my little flat

[@lauralinash5341]

Great tips, thankyou

[@lauralinash5341]

Love your scarf idea😄. How many times have I done that with my gas tank!!! ⛽️ uggh...do I want to get gas at 10 pm at night in the cold rain??? I must suffer through cause I know I will not leave time to get it in the am😪

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Same, Laura. SAME.

[@stephanieernst4963]

Your bag is reasonable! I have a huge box leftover from the 11 memory quilts and still need to make mine. The box is not bringing me joy so I’m not super inspired to get my quilt completed! Need to finalize the design and just get ‘er done!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Stephanie, I feel that too!! Sometimes we have to just gut it out and get the project done before we can move on! 🤓❤️

[@jocobuyer]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts I tried to tag you on the Instagram posting I did yesterday. Hopefully you can see a couple of the shirts my mom and I completed!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

@@jocobuyer I saw them! Hopefully you got my comment in return! 🤓👍🏻

[@patblood6384]

I really enjoy the process of breaking down the shirts. I think the most I have ever had in my pile to do has been 7. We have a limited number of good thrift stores in my area so I don't usually come home with much more than three at a time. I generally see more interesting shirts wandering around the grocery store than on the racks in a thrift store! But you have to tell me - do you keep all the buttons off the shirts that you break down?? I do - I have absolutely no reason as to why or what I will ever do with them but I can't bear to throw them out!!! They are almost all gray or white or black. However, I did get some gorgeous blue and orange buttons that I consider a real treasure! Keep up the good work...I so enjoy your videos!

[@mrsmcdonald9363]

If you ever want to make a curtain for an outdoor space, you can string the buttons together to make hem weights so the curtain doesn't blow around as much.

[@patblood6384]

@@mrsmcdonald9363 Oh my gosh! What a great idea! Thank you!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I keep my buttons, too, because (like you) I can bear to throw them out! Even though I have no plan for them! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I have given a whole bag of them to a fellow crafter who will no doubt use them to make something awesome!

[@rhondahenderson9327]

Love your ideas and your videos!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Rhonda!!❤

[@marybeth4002]

I have a pile of thrifted shirts waiting to be broken down. Will be happy to have them stored correctly as you shared. Question: I tend to look for 100% cotton, however, I've noticed some of those 100% cottons still stretch when pulled on the diagonal. Should I think they are truly 100% cotton ???? Thank you, Cathy ❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

If they say they are 100% cotton, then they are 100% cotton. Most shirts will stretch on the diagonal (the bias); the more open the weave, the more the stretch. (Usually) For example, linen stretches like crazy on the bias. So go forward with trust that you have 100% cotton shirts! ❤️🤓👍🏻

[@marybeth4002]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Thank you, Cathy. I so appreciate your reply. I shall continue with seam ripper in hand ❤

[@pamelafowler4406]

Thank you! So helpful

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Pamela! ❤️

[@lucilaflores4912]

Thank you for sharing! Love your videos.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Lucila! ❤

[@AvivaHadas]

The other shirt quilters that I have seen on social media cut their shirts down with abandon. Like the safe with a rotary cutter reckless abandon!

[@stefflcus]

Ahhhh, I relate so hard to every little bitty bit of this! If it weren't for my distractakitty brain sometimes (often?) deciding to "abandon all responsibility," I'd never get anything organized.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Ok “distractakitty” now being added to lexicon! Glad you can relate!!

[@stefflcus]

It might be distractikitty. Hmm. 🤔 Neither Merriam-Webster nor autocorrect are any help.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

@@stefflcus I wouldn’t expect they would be…😂😂😂

[@susanlusk9584]

Great video! Thanks!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Susan!❤

[@Richiedei50]

Do you keep the cuffs and collars, and if so, what do you do with them? I hate throwing them away and would love to know if you have any suggestions. Thank you.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I do! And have yet to use them for anything! 😂 I have seen people make cup-holders (we call them koozies) for latte cups or cold cans with the cuffs; one of our viewers makes collars and other accessories for her dog! A LOT of viewers take the cuffs and put them on a ring or safety pin and use them when they go shopping to match fabric (genius! 🤓) A couple of people have talked about saving them and quilting them together for a throw pillow or interesting quilt! And finally, my favorite barista suggested that I use the collars and other bits of seams to use in the garden to tie up/off tomato plants or viney plants which is an awesome idea if I only hardened! 😂🤓

[@Richiedei50]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Fantastic ideas. Thank you so much. Loved your video by the way. Sorry I didn’t say so before. Most of my shirts belonged to my late husband, and I couldn’t bear to part with them. I’ve used them in all sorts of projects - the quality of shirt fabric, especially cotton, is wonderful.

[@glynisreynolds446]

I’ve got a new set of drawers to put my shirt stash in, but I’m not sure it’s big enough 🤣🤣 And I’m lucky as my husband probably doesn’t know just how many shirts I have 🤣🤣 but yours does 😱🤣🤣🇬🇧

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It amazing how fast they accumulate! And yes, no hiding the fabric stash or shirt stash from the videographer! 😳😱😂❤️

[@jaewagoner8679]

QUESTION: Can I use thrifted cotton shirts with a small amount of synthetics in them?? If so, how much other fiber is acceptable? I spent hours in three thrift stores and found only ONE 100% cotton men's shirt. Love your site!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

JW…I have lots of thoughts on this (shocker, I know) but they are really best summarized in my Cotton-Poly video where I explain why I try to use 100% cotton, but how I work with blends if/when I do get them! The short version is, yes you can use them, but you may have to make adjustments if you do! 🤓👍🏻

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Here’s the link! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5OteaimaZaapLs

[@janetdinatale9861]

Do you all keep your shirt fabric separate from other fabric?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Nope! For me it's all fabric. 🤓 But I do have a tote with shirts that haven't been broken down yet!

[@destrygraves]

I take bits and pieces. I take an extra minute to cut shirts so they are in foldable sections. Same with sheets. Dresses, etc… just foldable. Then fold and stick where it belongs . No bag of shame. No more time needed in the future than if I started with a whole shirt. Think about it.

[@jeanetterochnowskis142]

Cathy you sooo crack me up. The shirt scarf was hilarious! I burst out laughing on that one! Great video and thank you for the tips! Have a great week! 🥰🤗

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Jeanette, I crack myself up!! 😂Thanks and you too! 🥰❤️

[@bettytaylor707]

What do you do with the cuffs n collars?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I save them in a separate tote to use in other projects!

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

I’m eyeing that green polka dot and that dark grey and some of this blues and I am green with envy…no polka dots. Just if you ever want to get rid pf them, I can send you my address you know…..

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I'm trying to figure out a project for that dang green polka dot fabric! But if I don't ever manage to find one, I'll find a way to get it to you! 😘

[@destrygraves]

…and then on that magical day you find everything on your list, all the shirts and sheets your heart can desire plus a few things you can’t live without…$222 later. But it’s all worth it.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It IS!! ❤🤩🤓

[@AnitaSouthall]

Oh yes the best way to not see it as a shirt is break it down the day you bought it! Makes you assrs your time wisely

[@AvivaHadas]

When the video takes a turn that you did not expect... (I thought, "It's obvious hang them on hangers.")

[@AvivaHadas]

Never considered that it would in your (my) mind that it would be seen as a "shirt" and not fabric and therefore hard to use. Meanwhile I have a pair of poplin pajamas that will eventually become quilt fabric - when I have the right pattern? - but I am not ready to cut them up quite yet. (I am beyond, I will be small enough to wear these again some day.)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

😂😂 You know I have to keep it interesting! ❤

[@cynithiadykes8537]

Need to watch Bonnie Hunter de-boning a shirt video.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I’ve seen it! We have very different styles…but it’s whatever works for you.

[@katiehope9565]

Thankfully I've changed careers away from my QKA designation, but anyone who is NOT scrambling for CEs the month before the deadline is not to be trusted.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

THANK YOU. I feel the same. ❤️

[@apache-yaquibrown4060]

Wow!