🧵🌸 LET'S TALK ABOUT T-SHIRT QUILTS with Ellen Simon -Karen's Quilt Circle

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Happy Monday everyone. Ellen was so generous with her time and tips. I used some of them last month in making my old quilt. I hope you enjoy it as much I did. Grab your sewing and a cup of tea and enjoy.

[@scottbyran8459]

i appreciate you for your support and comments i just create a little time to appreciate some of my great fans.how is your family and work??

[@tinawelch3005]

christmas is really hard for many of us. your videos never fail to inspire and lift my spirits. NEVER has your channel overwhelmed or out-smarted my beginner status. friendly, real, knowledgable and nurturing...thank you!

[@Cassandra-..-]

Wow - I paused the video to search for Printed Treasures and had to really look! Finally found some on eBay. Thanks for the tip so that time, effort, and potential disappointment with inferior products won’t be a factor. Golden nuggets of wisdom all throughout the video!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

She had so many

[@vickimckeown3086]

This was wonderful Karen. I learned so much. In 2017 I was asked to make a memory quilt for a lad who was turning 19. I was given sweat shirts, t shirts, rowing singlets, knit and satin boxers, his baby quilt, and various fabric badges. I did use stabiliser but never realised how many different types there were and when I quilted it I got "creep" but not too bad. As all the blocks were different sizes I used different colour plains to make sashings so they ended up the same width. The one thing I was told when I started learning quilting was "a quilt is not finished until it is labelled". I too use the printer to run off my quilt labels after attending a quilt show and taking a free class on how to print on fabric. I made a memory quilt for my husband after he died, using B and W photos he had chosen and it takes pride of place in the living room.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing

[@itsjustus5808]

Thank you for sharing this video. My grandmother was a quilter, sewer, and also crocheted. Ironically, like you and Ellen, it skipped a generation. Neither my mom nor my aunt sewed or quilted, but I love it! If I could do it full time and make what I make at my "real job," I would.

[@80657]

Marie Webster....AKA... The Mother of Quilting. I have never made a t-shirt quilt before....or a memory quilt. That is super cool that you can save antique and memory quilts the best you can. That's awesome. God bless y'all.

[@larynh2526]

My favorite interview so far!

[@marilyngandhi8571]

I have an Elna press and now know why I should keep it ❤Thank you so much

[@patriciasmith6992]

What a great time i had with you too. Thank you.

[@margaretbaker623]

What a lovely person! Thanks, Karen 😊

[@polyesterbebe]

I love this series

[@abigaildolinger2754]

I enjoyed the interview with Ellen Simon. What a surprise to hear the voice of an old friend from my time spent in Columbia, SC! (I used to teach quilting at her shop and attend the same guild.) The tip about scanning and printing fabric in order to repair a quilt is an innovative idea.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Lovely.

[@karenrowell2180]

So much fun…thank you…2 t shirt quilts…998 to go to catch up with this inspiring quilter.

[@scottbyran8459]

Hello nice to meet you

[@NightsCastle-x2w]

I just found this episode and I have learned so much. Thanks for all the great tips.

[@photoladyluck123]

I tried your method of scanning the fabric from a quilt made in the 60's that I found at an antique shop and love the way it turned out!! Thanks so very much!!

[@SarahEJolley]

Can you tell what you used to print to? I can’t find timeless treasures ?

[@blkcat93]

That is GENIUS! Scanning the old fabric to give you more!! I've used printed treasures for making memory quilts with photos (one gal had all her cruise photos with she and her hubs). But never thought about making more of the fabric you can't find. Amazing!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It was a great tip

[@tarabullard4444]

I love Ellen Simon! I learned how to quilt in her shop. She and her husband were a wealth of information! Seeing this made my day!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Excellent to have her old friends and customers show up

[@DianeSmith-h7t]

Yet another amazing interview, Karen. I had watched this video before but I didn't retain all the details when I was so new to quilting. I've always enjoyed historical information that someone like Ellen is able to share. I have an old polyester Bow Tie quilt that was made by a great aunt and given to my mother. I should check to see if it glows in the dark! Lol! Thanks again for all the hard work you do to keep quilting alive!!

[@denisekurtt]

Great tips for what people think are "easy quilts" especially the applique motifs on one square and then copying fabric to print on your printer...genius! Thanks Karen 💖

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

That was an amazing tip

[@juliemorrison4348]

Same printable sheets are great to put photo memories in your quilt.

[@gisellejones1139]

I really enjoyed this particular interview Karen

[@lafranglaise3399]

This was SO interesting. I live in France & had never heard of Tshirt or memory quilts. Love these interviews as there is always something new to learn. Bravo Karen !

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad you enjoyed it! It's one of my favourites

[@anitabowen9730]

It’s fun but as Ellen says, don’t cut the shirt until you have a plan!!

[@lucindacindymartin6012]

You are the best youtuber! Professional presentation, good teacher, visuals, interviews, tutorials - can't thank you enough. I just noticed the cup - what is "eat the frog first"?

[@joane8651]

Do the hardest thing first, she mentions it in an older video, at least that was my take on it.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Exactly. Joan. It's about doing the hardest job first so that you move on and stop fretting about it.

Thanks. I didn't know either....which means I should binge watch ur videos to date. It's in there somewhere I bet. 😆!!

[@scottbyran8459]

Hi

[@lorrainemarshall1038]

Oh my gosh Karen, I am about to watch this, I have just just finished making a quilt with all my friends clothing. She passed away, last year and her hubby asked me if I would consider making a quilt. So many tears and such a labour of love. Many of her clothes were very stretchy and t shirt type fabric. I really struggled, I have a friend who is it quilting it for me and assures me she will be able to manage it ok. I know my friend's husband, will always treasure it. I really look forward to watching this show. Thanks so much for all of your hard work, which is also very much appreciated. Lorraine - Western Australia.

[@beverleyhasler1521]

What a lovely lady and very easy to listen to. Thank you Karen for another good interview 🌸

[@martirichards1424]

I love doing t-shirt quilts. I was able to make one for a small boy whose dad passed suddenly. I used the back of the shirts for the backing. He said he could smell his dad and he felt like his dad was giving him a hug. It was a good feeling. 😊

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks for sharing

[@kaerynbass8355]

Lovvee to iron. Love love love it. Just part of the process. Practice practice practice! So satifiying to iron. Pour your love into it!

[@bonniebrewer434]

I did my first and last t-shirt quilt this year. It sounds easy in concept. But execution is is a beast!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

And she's made over 1000. Im still recovering from some I made 4 years ago

[@sandyhumissouri5131]

The WOVEN stabilizer was a great tip!

[@Kate98755]

i finally finished a tee shirt quilt i started 30 years ago, gave it to my daughter...but there were so many tees, it was huge. i took it back because just laundering it, i knew i'd made a beast. i offered to split it, then realized once i started i'd have to take all the rows apart, then realized i had to take all the blocks apart and basically stsrt over. i've sat looking at these blocks with my calculator, i reframed all of them, will use strips to connect them, the width for the border will be different so i end up with a straight edge...now work is so busy, finding time to sew...hopefully 30 more years doesn't go by...don't think i have 30 years to sew. the two quilts are going to her sons.

[@heathercawte]

That was fascinating! You always find the most interesting people 😁😁

[@philnasmith9755]

Such an interesting interview. How lovely to help people preserve their memories and heirlooms.

[@grandmamc1999]

I had to repair a quilt that was made by my husband's grandmother. I got a color as close to what was needed and hand stitched it in. It was a bowtie pattern.

[@JKnight911]

Definitely one of my favorite quilty teachers! Very professional and informative. This video is perfect timing as I’m getting ready to start a memory quilt for my adult son. Thank you so very much!

[@dalegruder2363]

Ellen is very generous with her time for our guild as well. Very dedicated quilter! Thanks Ellen.❤️

[@christaparenteau9430]

What a great interview ❤️

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Great interview! Thanks for posting!

[@cindyc7868]

Great interview. I appreciate your videos with all the GREAT information.

[@midcatmn6877]

Now I want to make a memory quilt. She was an inspiration.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

She was. I am asking family members for projects now...LOL

[@carollynn8415]

Ladies I VERY MUCH enjoyed this episode. I have been sewing my entire life and quilting about 15 yrs. Recently my mother passed and my sister found two quilts in her things. It appears both quilts were made VDERY EARLY makes by her only sister. This Aunt taught me the "tricks of the trade" many years ago. These early quilts are badly damaged. I was not able to salvage one of the 5 fabrics in the quilt. I am VERY interested in the Printed Treasures approach. My Aunt is now 92 and has macular Degeneration. I REALLY want to repair this quilt and have a proper label added to it. THANK YOU for the suggestion of "Printed Treasures". I think THIS is the PERFECT solution. I very much would like to complete the repairs so my Aunt KNOWS how much I Value her and the art she taught me. THANKS AGAIN!

[@m.armstrong9589]

I love this series, and this episode is particularly informative and inspiring!

[@clarastrom9787]

My grandma used an army blanket as batting for the quilt she made me 65 years ago. It’s a cutter quilt and it can’t be repaired, but I still have it.

[@denisemead764]

Fun interview with Ellen, Karen! She did have good tips! Tshirt or memory quilts sound easy, but always have surprises!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

They are. Sounds like you've made a couple

[@susansmith8274]

Regarding finding an old quilt inside a quilt, during the depression this was common. My mother did it quite often when the old quit was well “loved”. My favorite was the donkey quilt made from flour sacks.

[@lizagervais8621]

I have often used old comforters or blankets that my kids loved then covered them with new fabric.

[@jeanmariewood8300]

@@lizagervais8621 .

[@patriciasaunders4064]

Really enjoyed this great interview!

[@davidhatfield5714]

I’ve commented before, you are good at what you do! Such a nice, easy flow, great questions. I feel some just talk to much and that doesn’t happen with you. I’m not always into some of your subject content, but if I do stick around, I always learn something. Keep up the good work!

[@gailgaddy5340]

Very interesting and enjoyable. Ty 👍

[@mariod7473]

This is a great interview Karen, thank you.

[@izzymartinez5227]

This was an awesome interview, both ladies are such a wealth of information.

[@peggymized5269]

This was very helpful! I enjoyed it!

[@deborahprairiestitcher]

Very interesting interview. I am looking forward to hearing more about quilting in the north

[@sandymorrow2105]

I have a box of tee shirts waiting to be made into a quilt. I guess after 3 years I had better get busy. Thank you for this very interesting video. Take care. I will be waiting for the next one.

[@peridawnhawthorne9486]

I have now made 3 t-shirt quilts. 2 we're easy squares, the other I went off a picture I had found of one with no directions. The 2 squares I quilted on my machine, a bit of a challenge. The 3rd I hand quilted, that was a lot of fun. Thank you for sharing the interview! I enjoy your channel very much!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

That is awesome! Well done

[@debninis4578]

I have made several Tshirt and memory quilts and a combination of the two... I agree the ironing of the stabilizer is the worst part... but once that is done, it is enjoyable for me. It is satisfying to me when I see how it makes the one receiving it feel. Makes all the work worth it!

[@autumnpiper60]

To all the 'new' quilters out there...I had learned to sew when I was young (as every good future wife should - insert eyeroll - LOL)...35 years later my fiance told me I needed to make him a quilt ~ a Grateful Dead t-shirt quilt ~ purple on one side, green on the other. I'd never made a quilt. I might have made two skirts and vest when I was a young teenager. I Googled t-shirt quilt images...I found nearly all of them 'ugly'. I finally found one I liked, but it was a twin size, and this needed to be bigger...so I created a pattern in EXCEL from the Google image. That was my first ever quilt. I did it piece by piece via KZbin videos and lots of my own math. I had no idea of all the hundreds of videos I could have watched. I've now made five quilts (including that one), and I'm working on (yet another) t-shirt/memory quilt ~ because after I finished my fiance's, my daughter brought me a HUGE bag of t-shirt and sweatshirts. Because of all the challenges ~ so many different sizes, many homemade (crafted) shirts that her grandmother had made, etc., etc...I've had to create my own pattern for this as well. I keep hearing that beginner quilters need to start with squares, then advance to HSTs, etc...but my fiance's quilt had 88 quarter square triangles that were sewn into four columns of 22 squares each. The t-shirts were all different sizes, so some required borders...the back is a tapestry with borders. It really was just a matter of learning how to do it, and then taking my time. I probably asked myself a hundred times (without exaggeration) "how hard can it be?"...it was - right up to quilting it on my little Brother sewing machine, but it wasn't impossible, and it was made with thousands of minutes of love infused into it. He loved his quilt...about two months after getting it, he joked that he loved it so much he wanted to be wrapped in it and buried when he died...neither of us ever would have guessed that would be less than three weeks later. If you find a quilt you love, make it...don't be intimidated by a label on it for Beginner-Intermediate- or Advanced. If you want to give someone their memories...buy some graph paper, and do some math. Eddie's quilt brought me to quilting (and table runners/toppers, placemats, patio chair cushions, fabric bins...and all the rest people ask for when they think you can sew - LOL), but I realized I'd found so much peace while I was working on it...I was focused...and inspired. So after he died, I started doing it again. For all you 'new' quilters out there ~ take your time, watch the tutorials ~ but mostly just BELIEVE ...in yourself and your project. While I was ripping stitches out of his quilt for the 50th time, he told me just to STOP ripping it apart and finish the d#mn thing! ~ that any imperfections were what was going to make it unique ~ and therefore PERFECT. ...and it is...it's my most valued possession. This was (yet another!) AWESOME interview, Karen. I'm so happy you're doing these...I'm enjoying and learning so much from them. Love & Light

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you. Thanks for sharing

[@juliemorrison4348]

Great interview with Ellen. She is an interesting quilter and what a great business and partnership she has with her husband. Loved the idea of the soft toys from quilt pieces. I want to make a t-shirt quilt for my husband but he won't give up any of 50 plus shirts he has bought from places around the world in his travels. His oldest one is from the mid 70s trip to the US. Nebraska Cornhuskers. Still great condition but doesn't fit him. Lol.❤🇦🇺

[@bythebayou5351]

Julie Morrison, is there someone else you could make a t shirt quilt for? Maybe make your husband jealous when he sees a finished product at close hand? Could that entice him to give up a few of his t shirts?

[@lizchilders4154]

Enjoyable and informative. Thanks.

[@photoladyluck123]

I have been making mosaic t-shirt quilts, memory quilts, and military quilts for other people the last 7-8 years. I have tried the woven stabilizer and do not like it. I use pellon P44F because it is very lightweight. I use 80/20 cotton batting rather than 100% cotton. We all have our very own way to do things. Figure out what works best for you!! Good video by the way.

[@connieprince9718]

Enjoyed this video - I made my one and only T-shirt quilt earlier this year as an In Memory of my son who passed in 2015. I could relate to the stress of cutting into the one and only t-shirt memory. I felt that I had to make it myself but could have used her guidance! I was fortunate to be able to register a two minute video and pic to the Quilt Alliance as part of the Go Tell It series.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤗 I will look it up

[@islandquilter]

Great interview!

[@amybailey1865]

I also make memory quilts specializing in t-shirt quilts. I also stabilize mine. I use a 4” grid and cut my squares accordingly. I use EQ8 to place each t-shirt square in the quilt. I would to share pictures with you. I also include a label on every quilt I make.

[@mariannebrown4951]

My very first quilt was pieced from my late husband’s favorite shirts - the back and binding was made from his clergy robe.

[@joycefuller9177]

Great interview.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you.

[@brendafrye5875]

Great interview. I just offered to do a Memory quilt for a dear friend whose husband passed way too soon. Unfortunately only 1 of the 4 shirts is 100% cotton. I'm going to try to make large half square triangles with smaller triangles. First time at this but I like a challenge.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

The same happened to me and I ended up making rectangles like a subway tile and serging them together.

[@mariannebrown4951]

You could use stabilizer for the other shirts

[@joantomlin7281]

place your stretchy polyesters against the feed dogs as often as you can Remember that it can be faster to hand baste rather than ripping out your seam

[@kathykaplan497]

I just love making t shirt quilts! I've made so many over the years!

[@angelakohler165]

When the pandemic hit, fabric was hard to get so I started cutting up my old t-shirts, the blocks were 5x5. It's more of a wall hanging than a quilt. The first and last t-shirt quilt made, oh my, it took forever to finish. Cotton fabric is my preference now. 😊 I also have a good stash now too.

[@mary-annz.reynolds7778]

I'm visiting family in the pacific northwest and it's so cold ❄. I don't know how you live in Canada 🍁 with snow. I enjoyed listening to this Quilt Corner. Thank you 💕

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It something your use to and have the clothing for…and I hate the heat

[@joantomlin7281]

I once repaired a quilt that had a chenille bedspread as batting. I was really surprised

[@jennyemerson8035]

Very motivating !

[@joane8651]

Thanks for a very interesting conversation, I agree wholeheartedly about the Pellon products for fusing, it was a disappointing adventure for me. I love your leaf projects, sew very beautiful!

[@genawalter401]

Great interview! I really enjoyed it! 🙂

[@VickiKolman]

My dad wore flannel shirts all the time. After he passed, my mom cut his shirts into squares and made quilts for me and my sister. For the backing, she bought flannel sheets from Lands End and repurposed them. They are well loved by us.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Nice

[@scottbyran8459]

Hello

[@janemariebennett3973]

Interesting interview AGAIN!! I made a small quilt with my husband’s favorite shirt, his 50 year old yukata and some filler fabrics. I used an Accuquilt apple core die . . . And thought I would! The piecing of that was quite tedious but loved how it turned out.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Sounds nice

[@ellenhartley4998]

I'm currently working on a QAYG double sided t-shirt quilt. This will be the only one I ever do! Lol

[@Kate98755]

that's what i did

[@lisaroper421]

This was a fascinating interview! Thank you both! I am a moderately experienced garment sewer, and I have done a bit of quilting and piecing. I have recently started a full quilt, to practice up for a t-shirt quilt! I do love your work on the t-shirt quilts. I know I am going to be setting myself up for a huge project because what I want to do is make a crazy t-shirt quilt. I just love the energy of the crazy quilts, and my quirky t-shirts need a wild pattern! Crossing my fingers that I can make something worth keeping out of it!!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

that will definitely test you. Looking forward to hearing the story

[@lisaroper421]

An anticipated test is better than a pop-quiz, right? At least that's what I keep telling myself. I will happily imagine the day when I can show what happened, for better or worse!

[@julsbendandi9374]

This is just terrific! I want to make a memory quilt and am gathering information…lots of different kinds of fabrics coming together!

[@louellagreen8365]

My first quilt top was a t-shirt quilt. 😆 My biggest fault was cutting the shirts before I had a plan.

[@Kate98755]

i've used wool blankets as batting

[@anitra7747]

I don’t care to make t-shirt quilts. I’ve made 3. All mosaic style with no sashing. Two of them were double sided queen size quilts. The last one, I used Terial magic instead of the sf101. The process took longer but the result was absolutely worth it. I used bamboo batting and that last t-shirt quilt was so soft and draped so nicely. It was so much less weight as a double sided queen size quilt! I would either get paid a really good amount of money or I’d have to love the person heaps to make any more. Bless all of the t-shirt quilt makers out there. I’d rather not be counted among the ranks. 🤭☺️

[@scottbyran8459]

Hello beautiful it's my pleasure to meet you

[@KnitzyKitzy]

Another great interview. Very interesting about the cotton stabiliser, which brand is it? One day I want to make a quilt out of my child’s baby grows. However they are quite a heavy cotton jersey so I would probably want to avoid adding typical stabiliser for the weight but also I would want to keep the softness of the fabric.

[@laurakelly880]

I couldn’t understand what she now uses for quilt labels instead of desk jet printer labels. (Love your label questions, by the way. Her pocket idea was great, too.)

[@elizabethhinton9728]

I've found a woven cotton stabilizer called T-Shir Project Fusible Interfacing. It works really well. It stabilizes the T-Shirt without making it stiff and doesn't add any appreciable bulk. It's 60 x 72". which works much better than normal stabilizer that's only 12" wide. It's by June Tailor, Inc. I think I got it from Missouri Star.

[@KnitzyKitzy]

@@elizabethhinton9728 thank you

[@judyhoomalamalama]

I m originally from Chicago. I grew up Ice skating. I left in 1972. City was getting dangerous. I sewed my clothes also.

[@MintEcho7]

20:40 For the tip about how to get more fabric that matches old fabric

[@sharone9751]

Very informative, which is par for your videos!! I have made several t-shirt quilts, using French fuse tricot as stabilizer but I would be interested to know what the brand is for the cotton woven fusible stabilizer.

[@SarahEJolley]

Can you tell me where to find the quilted treasures sheets she refers to ? What a great idea to scan your own fabric! I have a shirt quilt I’m making and it would be great to extend pieces I don’t have to blend the various squares! Where can I find these sheets. Thank you both. What a great interview!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It’s Dritz Printed Treasures Inkjet Printable Fabric

[@michellecornum5856]

Under the list of Things You Thought Would Be Easy!

[@gail9289]

This comment is not about this video but I didn't know any other way to send it to you. Have you heard of using fleece as a substitute for traditional quilt batting. Could you do a video on alternative quilt batting. Thank you.

[@terribishop5313]

Karen have you ever done a quilt from old clothes from like a second hand store, garage sale type clothes of shirts, dresses etc.. like they used to do. Would you?

[@marilyngandhi8571]

❤

[@anneeh1591]

I make Memory quilts for mostly family or friends out of loved ones clothes. I find the best way to use the more difficult fabrics is through applique. I applique the fabric on to a cotton base eg. As a Dresden plate or hearts.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks for the tip

[@olivewoo522]

I made a girls clothing blanket from Hanna Anderson, Mini Boden and Naartjie.

[@christinenichols5244]

What size is the block in the quilt behind you? 10, 12? Looks like a great stashbuster.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It’s from my scrap sampler block video

[@alechiaevans9117]

The quilt behind you. What size were your strips.

[@sandrarose7129]

Could we get a link to that interfacing she mentions?

[@annas.r.p.5835]

I would really have liked to see some pictures of MS Simon's quilts during the video ... I will check out her gallery but that takes me away from the video.

[@Right-sides-together]

I’m so curious about what stabilizer she uses. Does anyone know?

[@rmenninghaus1646]

what!! You don't label your quilts? I am glad you have decided to change.

[@scottbyran8459]

i appreciate you for your support and comments i just create a little time to appreciate some of my great fans.how is your family and work??

[@ellenhofer3343]

Its interesting her put down of JoAnn's stabilizers, by Pellon. For many, many people, JoAnn's Pellon stabilizers are the best tbey can afford when they are on sale. Pellon makes many, many stabilizers, not just what JoAnn's has in stock. There are only a few manufacturers of stabilizers. Private labels are added to those who want to sell them under their own label. Its the same as sold under the Pellin trade name. How do I know this, you may ask.. I studied fashion design in college & we visited design studios and learned a lot that way.

Name some options then please. Thnx. I have tried the Joanne's stabilizers and they umm......suck.

[@amycowley213]

I have a very difficult time hearing the special speakers. Could something be done about the volume on your end?

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

We do the best we can we the equipment that we have. I do find it gets easy as we go along.