How To Use Shirt Sleeves In The Geo Gems Quilt Pattern

Geo Gems Quilt Pattern - www.quiltylove.com/geo-gems-q...
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[@karin0963]

April from April's Craft Room brought me here. I'm all into saving money. Thank you 😊

[@tinkerbell9399]

I’m a visual girl too! That demonstration of how much fabric is in shirt sleeves was inspired! Laying out your pieces on the sleeve really helps visualise where to do your cuts. Thanks for sharing. You always teach me something new ❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww, thanks Tink!! ❤️

[@angielovett4159]

I really like the idea of using the sleeves first! Makes a lot of sense to me. Thank you for another helpful video 💕☺️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You're welcome, Angie! And thank you! ❤️

[@lorriescott8775]

I wish I had known this when I was buying dress shirts, in my favorite colors, for my husband for the office. He’s retired now, and would be ok with me cutting them up, but I would have looked for shirts that would have been quilt material. Darn!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lorrie, I lol'd at this comment! 😂 It is a great thought though--buy shirts that will ultimately become beautiful quilts in their second life (and not have to even buy them at the thrift store!!) ❤️

[@svetlanasirlan9643]

Good morning ☕️❤ Purple shirt! 🤩💜

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Good morning!! and LOL 😂, right?! 😍

[@marilynstook8308]

This video just showed up and so thankful I watched it! I have done a couple memory quilts and trust me when I say I will start with the sleeves next time!❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh yay! I'm so thankful that you watched (and commented!) too, Marilyn! ❤️ So glad it will be helpful for your future projects!

[@jmurphy7192]

The timing of this video is priceless! Starting a new quilt that needs a variety of fat quarters, so now I will be cutting the sleeves off of the flannel shirts I’ve been collecting, rather than cutting into the backs/fronts. Thank you!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh yay, J!! 🤩 I can't wait for you to discover for yourself how far that fabric from a sleeve will go! ❤️

[@dianeroome972]

So, you are saying shirt sleeves are sufficient square footage for several sizable squares. Got it! I'll look a little closer to conserve fabric. Fun with alliteration. Yes, I am a word nerd. LOL.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL, Diane! I love it! ❤️

[@feleciachance8987]

Good seeing you Catbird!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Felecia! I miss seeing your face! ❤️

[@Sewwithdebee]

It drives my husband crazy when is sees me picking apart every seam to get more fabric, I am a huge scrappy re-purpose sewer.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Debee, it's a whole thing, isn't it?! I have definitely just quick cut through a shirt to get rolling, but I always feel like I'm leaving usable fabric on the cutting table! (which I am.) I think it just depends on how I plan on using the fabric! 🤓

[@shannoneaster9311]

👏🏼👏🏼So glad you’re spending time going into depth on this topic. As a memory quilt maker, there is a lot of fabric in a shirt, no matter the size. With just a few shirts, I’ve created many beautiful memory quilts using every scrap, including the small pieces. I particularly like making 9 patches from the smaller pieces, then use the larger as the setting blocks. Your video is incredibly helpful to help many new “shirt fabric” quilters experience some creative options. Everyone learns best when shown=visual learners. ❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Shannon! ❤️ This probably won't be a "popular" video, but I wish I could get the word out to everyone! I just don't see anyone Googling "how to cut a shirt sleeve" 😂 but I sure wish they would because there is SO much fabric to be had from those crazy sleeves! 🤓

[@marybeth4002]

Great tutorial - I too am a visual learner. It is amazing how much fabric is in a sleeve. I spy a beautiful quilt behind you!!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Mary Beth! ❤️ It really does amaze me every time!!

[@annerankin1191]

Thinking out of the box is such a wonderful process!!!! Love that you are minimizing waste!!! XOX

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?! And yes, me too, Anne! 🤓 It is very satisfying, and then when I have teeny pieces left over, I have no guilt about composting, or getting rid of them, knowing I've mined that shirt for all it's worth!! ❤️

[@julias.8236]

Totally used that approach. Use the smaller parts first for smaller pieces. Especially also because in my opinion the bigger, more square pieces are easier to store. The quilt in the back looks wonderful by the way. Have a lovely weekend!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Julia, it does seem like the logical way, doesn't it? 🤓 But everyone has their own system, and that's ok too. And thank you!! ❤️ It's coming along!

[@astorybookfinish5055]

I cut my first men’s shirt just this week and was quite surprised by how much yardage I got. I’m going to unclaimed baggage today to get more! Thx for the inspiration.

[@privateinfo1711]

i never thought of unclaimed baggage. There's probably lots of men on business trips taking their freshly laundered shirts!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Me either!! Guess where I'm going next!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You're welcome and aren't you clever!! 🤓

[@gisellejones1139]

Very interstting info and well explained as usual ,Cathy😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Giselle! ❤️

[@kathyterrell1547]

I just made a block that Beth Shibley from My Sewing Room created. It is a small 6 1/2 " square block, and the biggest piece of material is 4" square. It's called simple pinwheel flowers. It just made me think of the material in a shirt, and even if the sleeves were short, you could still make a block of this pattern!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Kathy, there are SO many blocks that call for those pieces, and YES even with a short sleeve shirt! ❤️ Ps I love Beth Shibley's channel---she just seems so sweet and approachable and helpful!

[@lauracurnan3255]

Was so happy to see your new video. Helps my day start with a smile. Thank you! So interesting how much fabric there is. Love the reference to tetris*. Have a great day. Hugs from Tampa.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Laura! ❤️ All credit to Paul for the tetris reference---he used it on me, first!😂

[@patriciabryant6574]

Great visual video. Very thought provoking. Thank you.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Patricia! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@diannenaworensky6698]

Enjoyed watching how you cut up a shirt. ✌🏻❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Dianne!❤️

[@annolsen8276]

Very nice, lots of good advice. Thank you.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Ann!

[@beckyscheller9358]

Great demo.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Becky!

[@connierivera1758]

So true! I too was amazed by how much fabric I could get from a sleeve. I always cut the sleeves first. 😊

[@yoshiew05]

If you haven’t taught before, you are a natural

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I wasn't trained as a teacher, but my mother was, and she was great at it! So maybe I learned from her! ❤️

[@eljay5623]

I always threw my scraps, in whatever size and shape they resulted, into my scrap pile. Then when making a quilt, i always start with my scrap pile to see what i could use, before resorting to cutting into my stash or hitting the quilt shop. It helped to keep my scrap pile under control. Well after watching a few videos about processing scraps into “standard” cuts (2.5” square, 2.5x5” strip, etc) so they are ready to use, i thought “oh my gosh that’s brilliant!” and commenced to processing ALL my scraps. As i cut, a sense of dread was coming over me, like i was making a mistake. I distinctly remember cutting a 2.5” square out of a particular wonky piece that was just a bit bigger than the 2.5” and thought “what if what i need from this fabric is a 2x3? As it is now, i could get either the 2.5” square or 2x3”. The dread grew but i decided to just finish what i started, after all it’s a popular method for a reason. Along comes another quilt and wouldn’t you know, what i really needed out of the aforementioned fabric was a little bigger than the 2.5” i had. It was too late. I decided then and there to leave my scraps as they fell, and cut what i needed when i needed it. Several years post-processing my most consistently used scraps are the unprocessed scraps and the processed scraps tend to languish in the pile, tho i keep trying to use them. For my purposes, NOT cutting down fabric remnants or scraps into precuts gives me the most options. I actually don’t buy precuts smaller than a fat quarter because i feel limited by them in several ways. Yardage and scraps as they fall are much more versatile for my particular quilting style. I know precuts and scrap processing work for a lot of people, and that’s fabulous! I have cut down shirts and always leave them in their most raw form until i use them. I do realize, of course, that you are speaking about what you need for a particular pattern. I’m just referring to whatever is left once the pattern pieces are cut. Thank you for showing how valuable it is to work out other ways to see the fabric for cutting, rather than just the most obvious. Always love your videos! ❤

[@thecheshirecrafter4522]

Yes, Cathy. Whatever fabric I've retrieved from a piece of clothing, beit a shirt, Blouse, skirt, dress, or pyjamas even, I leave uncut after breaking it down into pieces by removing or unpicking seams. Then I decide on which fabrics I need for my project and only then do I begin cutting into it. I always chose the smallest pieces first, usually a sleeve, across the shoulders or fronts first, leaving the largest pieces I can for future projects. Then I cut the shapes and sizes I need for that project and there's always scraps left over. That new quilt pattern looks very pretty.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Maggie, I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that approaches fabric from clothes this way! 🤓 It seems logical to me, but I also know that everyone has their own way! 😘 And thank you!! I think it's going to come together well! ❤️

[@robinr6399]

Cute block!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Robin! ❤️

[@elizabethcollins8817]

Very practical advise ✂️🧵🪡 I am excited to start cutting up my thrifted shirts 🤗

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Elizabeth! ❤️ I'm excited for you to get started using shirts in your quilts! 🤩

[@romonaelrod7870]

👍 great video

[@saraborisch5343]

Love the visual! I have quite a few shirts to break down and will be more careful of that "leg"!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh yay! So glad it was helpful to you, Sara!

[@karenwerts2331]

Perfection!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww! thanks, Karen!

[@silver_csmith]

Love all your great tips! 👏🏻🥰Also those blocks are lovely! 😍👌🏻Can’t wait to see the progress!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Charity! ❤️

[@debbietrapp7757]

Hi Cathy, I see what you mean for sure, as the disappearing four patch square was my first and definitely not my last experience with shirts, I have so far in my short quilting journey have used yardage, but was so amazed at how much fabric is usable from shirts. Can’t wait to see this quilt top, blocks are beautiful. Have a great weekend Cathy!

[@pammeinzer6757]

It's like when you use up your left over scraps. Trust what she is saying. She's the expert. Thanks again for a wonderful video.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Pam!! ❤️

[@kimberlyp2778]

This reminds me of when I started making a denim and flannel quilt with 5x5 squares of reclaimed clothing. I was playing Jenga all over those pieces, lol.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL! I can see it! 😂🤓❤️

[@TheRozylass]

There certainly is a lot of fabric in a shirt--a pattern calls for 2-3 yards of fabric to make one! So it truly is a bargain to buy a shirt and spend a little time deconstructing it for the valuable fabric. Love that fat-quarter on that purple fabric!

[@abigailthompson4456]

Thanks for the tips, and inspiration. I'm working on a Lone Robin project and I'm adding the extra challenge of just using shirts, working with stripes and bias cuts. It is interesting, and I do like the colors and patterns on the shirts, they are very pleasing. Unfortunately, I am not as accurate a piece as I'd like to be. I need that 10,000 hours I guess.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

We ALL need those 10,000 hours and then some! (and then once you get them, you're not bothered anymore by corners not matching up and it doesn't even matter! 😂) Good luck with your Lone Robin--I had to Google it! But I love that you're using shirts, and I'm glad the videos are helpful to you! ❤️

[@randylls5341]

👍Talk about buttons? 😍 I love lovely buttons. I thrift shirts for the buttons when I need them.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I do love the buttons, too! ❤️ I'm in the process of trying to develop some easy patterns for projects that use them!

[@brendamc3535]

I'm in the process of making a t shirt quilt. 3 x 4 12" blocks with sashing in between. I don't know if I can get all the sashing out of the black fabric or not. If not I will probably do a couple different colors. I don't know what else to do. they are shirts someone gave me to use. Wish me luck. Your tutorial was very helpful.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Brenda, I'm so glad it was helpful for you! ❤️ Good luck with your shirt quilt---I feel pretty confident that you can make it work!

[@privateinfo1711]

Hey, you could write quilt patterns using shirts with lots of diagrams .... Ok, maybe when you retire one day . I'd buy them.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww! That is a sweet thing to say and if I do, you'll be the first to know! ❤️

[@karonwostenholme6533]

♥️♥️♥️

[@connierivera1758]

I square up every bit of real-estate I can;)

[@giselleyoung3248]

I appreciate the suggestion that you wait to cut your shirts until you have a pattern or design planned for them to ensure you can get as many pieces out of the shirt as possible. Do you need to worry about the fabric bias?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Giselle! ❤️ I don't really worry about bias; if the fabric feels too stretchy or like it has too much "give" as I start to cut the pieces, I stop and starch them and that usually heads off any problems!🤓👍🏻

[@caitlinmatthews1401]

I always start but cutting up the sleeves for a pattern. I’m frequently surprised that I don’t even get into the main part of the shirt…more for the stash. LOL

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Me too!! It shocks me EVERY time---like did I just cut that whole pattern out of just sleeves?! Why yes, yes I did! 😘

[@Rainstorm1301]

Have you done a tutorial on how to cut your pieces...this one is very helpful, but i need help cutting straight when using stripes and plaids..I collected shirts to make a string quilt. Got started sewing. I learned very swiftly that it did not work..the stripes in my strings were crooked when i sewed them. I had just laid the fabric out and used a rotary cutter to cut my strips. I ended up trimming some, trashing some and recutting some with scissors to get straight lines. I had some striped, some plaid, and a few solid. Is it necessary to cut each string aligning the stripes in each strip Is there a secret?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

This video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKGphnSorttoiZosi=cQnD3dFDy0D9Yy1x is the only one I've done so far (and it's long! 😱) but I do share lots of thought in it about how to cut plaids effectively. I haven't done one on stripes (I feel like my stripes aren't very straight, either, honestly) but maybe one of these days I'll figure out something genius and make a video on it! ❤️

[@gleniceomeara4769]

Could you tell me are you mixing fabrics. Are you using ploy/cotton and cotton ?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I try not to and prefer to use 100% cotton, but I have used cotton/poly. Here's a video where I talk about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5OteaimaZaapLssi=HCS53mVR0NtmjuDx

[@gleniceomeara4769]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts thank you it answered all my questions.

[@kathymorgan8453]

A purple shirt (part) sighting! 😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Kathy---right?! THEY find ME! 😂

[@joogle3328]

I found a beautiful, high-quality 3XL shirt at a thrift store recently. Then was curious and googled the brand and found it’s a $300-$400 shirt!!! Now I feel like it’s too precious to cut up and use in a quilt. What are your thoughts?

[@sally-anneshotter9174]

If you love it use it, or sell it release some money to buy lots more lovely shirts.

[@julias.8236]

Well, you are not going to wear it. So if it would be sitting in your dresser it probably would be better off as quilting material, giving it a new life. If you still hesitate I like the suggestion of Sally very much as well as an good alternative. But please don't let it sit unused.

[@pammeinzer6757]

I agree with these ladies.

[@marybeth4002]

I agree with Sally too. It feels great when you find a great find like that!

[@jennjennedington279]

Use it somehow! I found TWO Bonobos shirts one thrift trip. And I quick took them apart for that reason…. To not be tempted to find someone who would wear them.

[@sewing-Susan]

I use the sleeves first too.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Susan, so glad I'm not the only one!! 🤓❤️

[@AuntGrace]

Love the ending encouraging comment. “Get your cutter out and cut”. How did you know i get paralyzed to actually CUT IT. 😅 I’ll even get up and clean house like a maniac to build up courage. 🧹

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Because those of us that love fabric hate to cut fabric!! But you can't use it if you don't cut it! 😘

[@jennjennedington279]

I FEEL THIS. Sometimes I am just paralyzed before I commit to cutting!