My Trip Around The World Nine Patch Quilt

[@fernie5128]

Heavens Cathy, how gracious of you to take so much time to explain, step by step. how to make the 9 patch, Trip Around the World quilt. And thank you to Mimi for leaving such a loving legacy. Cheers from Fern in Minnesota

[@raymondgabica4696]

Your laughter is so enchanting... Love it. You laugh when there's an new idea.

[@lindad6223]

I love your 9 patch pattern! It's now on my growing list of patterns. I really enjoyed your thought process in deciding the block size working from the desired quilt size and visual effect. But I the trip around the world isn't as complicated as you were thinking! Hand pieced, I guess some may build from the center, ring by ring - but machine piecing, that just wouldn't work! It doesn't break down into blocks, it breaks into columns (the columns are longer than the rows are wide!), mirrored from a center row. Block "A" drops off, and block "B" takes it's place. That row is now one square short, so you need to: (move block "A" behind block "Z") or (fade to background/ add another bg square) or (add another fabric color). The complicated is the same as the 9 patch... it builds from the center. You'd still want to map it out on graph paper, and you'd probably want bigger squares... and the more I think about that nine patch... the more I think that you brought the trip around the world into the jet age... they don't have to be 9 patches... they could be anything! Off to hunt for the finished quilt video, because it's looking just stunning so far!

[@zoelakidis7499]

Hi Cathy, once again, your Interpretation of your "Mimi's Around The World Quilt Design" is soooooo Educational. I love the way you have broken it down to a "9 Patch Block" so that it looks achievable even for an Adventurous Beginner like me. I am definitely going to make a solid attempt at making one of these Quilts for my own Double Bed. You have lit a fire in my belly with this, so I will keep you posted on my progress. Thank you again for teaching us so much, I really admire you for taking the time to show others that we too, can create something so beautiful & meaningful. If I'm successful, I will have another 8 Quilts to make........One for each of my Adult Children. Warmest Regards, Zoe from Tasmania Australia 🙂🙃

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Zoë! 🥰❤️ I love that you are an “Adventurous Beginner”-and I feel certain that because of that this quilt will be a breeze!!😊👍🏻 if you do decide to do it, definitely keep me updated on your progress! ❤️

[@doloresnash287]

How clever to use the 9 patch!! It's going to be beautiful!! Can't wait for more!!😍

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you. Dolores! 🥰❤️

[@patoconnell5007]

Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge and making this simple enough for this math challenged lady to understand. I just made two trips to good will and started collecting shirts because of you 🩵🩵I definitely see a quilt in my future using the shirts. Thank you so much!!

[@lindaherrington6291]

This video has been a revelation! Thank you for sharing how you worked out how much fabric you will need, it's something that has deterred me from making a 'trip around the world quilt' in the past. I think the graph paper/coloured pencils is a great way of visualising how a quilt will look, and I'm sure it will be of use to me in quilts to come. And I agree, 2 1/2" rulers rock 😂❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Linda, how wonderful! 🥰❤️the graph paper and colored pencils work wonders! 🤓👍🏻

[@danaandcompany9636]

Thank you so much, Cathy! I really appreciate you sharing your thought process when planning your project. Your second cousin will fall in love with the quilt. ❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you. Dana! ❤️

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

I never thought of a Trip Around the World as a 9-patch before, but it is quite lovely. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Cynthia! 🥰❤️

[@jodylatwesen5487]

I just love your quilts and the whole process that you use. In one of your videos you mentioned something to the just, “if you think I’m crazy, you would be right.” Well if you’re crazy, I don’t want to be sane! The Trip Around the World pattern was the first quilt pattern that I ever made. I’m holding on tight to the 50’s and it was a Christmas present for my parents when I was barely a teenager. My dad worked second shift and so he would stay up late to unwind, no problem, right? Wrong, the sewing machine was in a corner in our dining room and to do anything on the main level of the house you had to walk through the dining room. So I had to be very savvy. Luckily (I use this term jokingly) I suffer from insomnia from time to time so it wasn’t that unusual that I would be up late or even all night a lot. So I couldn’t wait for my parents to go to bed so they wouldn’t have a clue about it. I couldn’t believe how many times I just wanted to tuck my parents into bed so I could get to work on the quilt. My grandma had helped me to figure out a pattern and I used her quilting scraps to make the quilt. When I finished the quilt top it then became a really interesting project. I still had to quilt it, and the only space big enough was the main level of the house. So once I thought my parents would be sound asleep I moved the furniture and set up my grandma’s quilting frame. I couldn’t leave it out, so before I would go to bed I had to take the quilt off the frame and put the furniture back where it was originally. It really was a workout. Christmas morning they were stunned, they really had no idea what I’d been doing. How I put mine together was by strips, your way would have been way easier, but since I didn’t have a way to audition anything the strip method probably was the only way to go. Like you I used graph paper to draw out my colors, then I assigned all squares a place on the graph to put it all together. I loved watching this video, it really brought back some memories!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Jody! And what a wonderful story! ❤️ I'm so glad this video brought back happy memories for you!

[@pattik2046]

You are just lovely! You spoke so lovingly about your Mimi 😇 Great video. So much effort and work went into making it for us. You're a wonderful teacher. We are lucky to have you to guide us on this quilting journey!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh my goodness, thank you Patti! 🥰❤️ I did love my Mimi so very much and miss her dearly! Thank you for your kind words and for watching and I’m glad you liked the video!!😊

[@brittanysimon1771]

So much love for you and Mimi’s Trip Around the World Quilt! Thank you for sharing your story and the behind the scene details of how this beautiful quilt is made. XOXO

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You’re welcome! And all the love back to you! 🥰❤️

[@Making-Beth-Gain]

Perfect and mathy! I love it. I’m excited to see your finished version of Trip Around the World.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Beth! 🥰❤️

[@patblood6384]

Kudos to you! Love the way you break it down step by step! Even showing the math and the reasoning behind it all. Makes it so understandable. I bet that EVERYONE who watches this video will take a screen shot of your calculations on how many inches of color you will need for each round. Fantastic job!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Pat! ❤ I hope they DO!! please please use what I’ve learned and make it your own! 😍🤩🤓

[@amymcadams6043]

Hi Cathy! I was so excited to see you were doing a video about this quilt!! Imagine my surprise when you mentioned me! I was like, "wait a minute, she is talking about me...". :). So fun. We are coming back to the States next week for a few months and I cannot TELL you how excited I am to go to The Thrift Store (it was a 'thing' when I lived in Alabaster.....capital letters....) and look for men's shirts that are beautiful. One of the things I have missed most living in Africa has been thrift stores. Love your break down of a great way to attempt this quilt. Your grandmother would be proud.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

So glad to hear from you, Amy!! 🥰❤️And how wonderful you’ll be here for a few months!! PLENTY of time to go thrift store shopping and breakdown shirts so you have fabric to take back with you! 🤩😍🤓

[@TheQuiltingLunchLady]

I like how the colors play off each other. Thanks for sharing your joy with us!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Christine!! ❤️

[@laurarenda8383]

Wow! The quilt by Mimi is so beautiful! Your family has treasured this quilt. It looks amazing. All that being said, I have currently been searching the web for a pattern, usable advice, anything that seems workable for me. You have made this possible😂 I can do it! Omgosh! I need more shirts and very specific colors for me, but I think I can do this. Rich deep purples, beautiful blues and gorgeous greens I can't wait. My spring quilt😉 I may even send you a picture. Blessings to you❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww, thank you, Laura!! 🥰❤️ and YAY YAY YAY! I can’t wait for you to make this one! 🤓🤩👍🏻

[@michellenisun6308]

Your 9 patch just sparkles! All I can say is “wow”!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Michelle! ❤️

[@debbiestallard694]

It's great to see your thinking on this quilt and sharing with us. I would like to encourage us to look at some really old quilts, and you can see where they didn't have a whole square of fabric. So they pieced enough fabric together so they would have enough of that color for their design. So, in certain instances, you could crumb quilt them together, and then finish cutting out the correct number of squares you need for your design.🫠😄☺️☺️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Debbie!🥰❤️ And yes, that's such a great reminder--using up what we have by piecing our pieces! It saves on waste and scraps and can stretch that fabric to make it go further in a quilt! 🤓

[@susanwalker10]

Hi Cathy, I was glued to my screen as you explained this Trip Around the World quilt! You are an excellent teacher and I plan to follow how your quilt grows. Thank you for taking the time to clearly explain the math and fabric needed. I also love seeing how you use graph paper to plan! You have inspired me 🥰

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh wow! Thank you, Susan!! ❤️❤️

[@susanwalker10]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts You're welcome! Looking forward to more of your videos!

[@laliichin5471]

Lol! First cousin, once removed!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol! I just could not get my brain or my mouth around that! 😂 Thanks! 🥰

[@nevafitzgerald2402]

Love the quilt ,it looks every overwhelming to me but it is so beautiful. Absolutely beautiful nothing I do can compare. Thank you again MS Cathy for sharing❤ your knowledge.⭐☕☕

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Neva. You could make this quilt RIGHT NOW and it would likely be just as lovely as mine! 😊 But thank you for the great compliments!

[@peggersf9709]

Wow. So-sew-soo 😂. “There IS” a lot of fabric in a shirt. Love your thought process. You explained that process very clearly, thank you. Can’t wait to see the finished quilt.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much! 🥰❤️ and yes, my goodness the “so’s!!” 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ And yes, it is remarkable just how far 1 shirt will go! So. Much. Fabric!! 🤩🤓

[@harbourcolour]

This is so inspirational. Thank you so much for taking us through your whole thought process, your colouring design and especially how to estimate the fabric requirements. I love your quilt and might give it a try with jelly roll strips + a background white. I also have a set of coloured pencils and graph paper that I use all the time for planning my quilts. Choosing colours is my favourite part!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Laurie! ❤️ And I think you should make one! Colored pencils and graph paper make the choosing colors so fun! 🤩🤓

[@liliangel825]

❤❤❤ your nine patch, Cathy. What a wonderful radiation of color. You are brilliant. Just subscribed recently since watching your quilt show commentary. Thank you for giving me a fresh outlook on quilt design and thrifting-Lili

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Lili! ❤️ And thank you for watching and commenting and subscribing!

[@bethliebman8169]

How special to have your Mimi's quilt! I so appreciate being shown your whole planning and problem-solving process. In my childhood we had a quilt that had come from my Nana (Dad's mother). I'm not sure she was the one who had made the quilt, but I loved it. It was full sized, postage-stamp pattern with small 1-inch squares. The piecing and quilting were all done by hand. What I loved best was the fabric--there were about 100 different patterns of fabric all in brown and white. Sometime between when I moved away from home to when my parents moved into a retirement community, that quilt disappeared. Now, since my mom has passed, I have no one to ask about that quilt and what happened to it. That is a shame, but my memory of that wonderful quilt lives on in my mind's eye. It may have been created as a fundraiser during WWI.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Beth, it IS such a blessing that Mimi's quilt is still in our family! I wish you still had your Nana's quilt, too! 😱😭 But it's such a wonderful gift to have the memories of these beautiful quilts our grandmothers made! ❤️ Makes me even more committed to make beautiful and useful quilts for the people I love! 🥰

[@deborahoneal-rohracker5606]

Hi Cathy I this quilt. I have been buying shirts at the Good Will store here they have had some very nice shirts. If I attempt to do something like this quilt I might make the squares and little larger. Thanks for showing us a beautiful quilt.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Hi Deborah! Thank you so much!! 🥰❤️Im very excited to see how it will turn out! 🤩 I think the beauty of this quilt using 9-patch blocks is that you can totally change the size of the squares to suit you! Just be sure to check your shirt and verify that there is enough fabric in it for bigger-sized squares!🤓👍🏻😊

[@victoriaclifford2715]

Wow, I love this. I too have always been mesmerized and daunted by the Trip Around the World pattern.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Victoria!

[@dedrasmitherman7983]

Gorgeous quilt! I love the ombré effect. You are making your MiMi proud. This one will be on my to do list.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Dedra! 🥰❤️

[@jonifotheringham5436]

I absolutely LOVE your version of the trip around the world quilt! And I so appreciate you sharing your process for designing it and calculating the fabric needed. I haven't made a quilt from shirts yet, but have begun collecting some shirts for a future project. Maybe it will be this one 😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Joni!! ❤️I think this one is turning out so well-I hope you make one too! 🤩😍🤓

[@sewing-Susan]

I get you and the way your brain works! Sometimes the thinking part of a quilt is exhausting. I like the graph paper approach. Thank you so much for your videos. So much fun and information.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Susan! 🥰❤️I LOVE it when people “get me”!!🤩🤓👍🏻

[@kathyt7252]

I love trip around the world quilts. I haven’t tried one yet. Your grandmother’s quilt is beautiful. Your 9 patch version looks gorgeous too. Can’t wait to see it all completed.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Kathy! 🥰❤️

[@mpete2525]

Just absolutely loving this whole process....such a great idea! You make the math look so easy and surmountable. Thank you for giving up your quilting time to bring this project to your viewers. 💝

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Meyrick, thank you so much! 🥰❤️ The math is so much more doable than I thought! 🤓 And as for my quilting time, you know it, girl! But this one is coming together so beautifully that I HAD to share! 😘😊❤️

[@sadiejosiemom]

This is brilliant - not only for shirt fabrics but quilt cottons too! I still haven't fallen down the shirt rabbit hole since I have more fabrics than I will ever be able to sew up. My mom made quilts and hand sewed them until the polyester double knits hit the market back in the 70s/80s and she made a boatload of these "trip" quilts in probably 5" squares and the backing was flannel most of the time. Now, mom was not educated past the 8th grade and she was not what you'd call bright - but she figured out how to make this pattern just by laying out the squares. I now have much more respect for her because of you! I mean, I knew that a person would probably have to draw it out to get it right but for her to do it back then without drawing it out is amazing. She was really a great seamstress, cook and housekeeper. Raised three children and held many jobs similataneously. She out worked all her sisters who were in awe of her. None of them had a thimble worths of talent compared to mom's. Thank you for sharing this. I may not make one from shirts but I do think I could make this from my stash!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

What a wonderful memory and history about your mom as a maker, homemaker, working person and mom! As for the trip around the world quilt, same for my Mimi! And she cut her pieces with scissors and handquilted it! Amazing! 🤩❤️ Thanks for watching and for sharing!🥰

[@mebsmommy]

Cathy . . . . I literally gasped out loud and stopped the video when you revealed your design for the Mimi quilt. Oh my. OH MY. I can’t even describe the joyful feels. So. Well. Done. ❤️🧡❤️💛❤️ [finishing the video now - must learn more]

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww, Amy! ❤ thank you so very much for your encouraging comment! 🥰

[@lorriescott8775]

Wonderful quilt! You got your grandmother’s genes for quilting arts. I’m better at genealogy! Your cousin’s daughter is your first cousin - once removed. Your kids are your cousin’s children’s 2nd cousin. Love your approach to quilting.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Lorrie! ❤️

[@nicolettehare3322]

I love the beautiful interpretation! you can strip piece a trip around the world quilt if you were still interested in doing one in the future. Of course it is easier with quilting fabric.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Nicolette! ❤️

[@silver_csmith]

Such a great tutorial thanks for sharing all that info!! 🥰👏🏻 Can’t wait to see this one finished!! Love the idea of doing the 9 patch to make the construction easier! 👌🏻☺️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you. Charity! 🥰❤️

[@sherryfaires7931]

So many people avoid even simple math at all costs! Thank you so much for sharing your technique on finding out how many 2 1/2 inch squares can be cut from a shirt…depending on size. I enjoy math and found this very helpful! I do admire your Mimi for making such a beautiful and well planned quilt! I think you are probably a lot like her! I really like how your quilt is progressing, too! I am anxious to see how you are going to include that beautiful aqua fabric!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Sherry! 🥰❤️ I too, love math and feel very accomplished when it works to help me figure out quilting projects! 🤓 I admire my Mimi too (especially since she was not highly educated but still made amazing things) ; thanks for your kind words and for the comparison between us. ❤️ That aqua micro gingham shirt is one of my favorites and it bridges the blue to green color in the quilt-I’m hoping it is as pretty as Im imagining! 🤩❤️😍

[@Mrsrgiron]

Thanks for sharing it was very inteligente to do! I kind of new on quilting and this is awe for me.. Thanks 😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww! Thank you, Rina! ❤️

[@mygrommi]

What a beautiful quilt! Love the way you are designing and making yours - similar to, but easier than your Mimi’s quilt. Love the colors in both quilts. 👏😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@deborahlunsford6983]

beautiful quilt. Very interesting method.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Deborah! ❤️

[@stitchinginthebarn8307]

Hi! I hope you are having a lovely day! I just realized why I loved your quilts so much more than other shirt quilts when you mentioned your minimalist anesthetic. I'm on my way to that too. I find it so clean and calming. I've decluttered a lot of my sewing space to reflect a more minimalist feel. This is the first trip around the world quilt I've seen that I want to make. Making it with shirts and scraps looks very easy to me. I'm at least at advanced intermediate level so squares don't really excite me but you've made them look fresh and fun. Thank you so much for sharing what you've learned and how to do this! Have a blessed day and happy quilting!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Stitching! 🥰❤️ I do love a minimalist look so very much-less is more for me! And while it’s true that squares aren’t especially exciting, using them in an interesting or intriguing way makes them so much more exciting, doesn’t it? Thanks again for the kind words and for watching and supporting me and my channel!! 😍🤓

[@caitlinmatthews1401]

Cathy - loved this video...as usual. But this one is exceptional. The thought and time you take for each project is inspiring to me. I tend to jump in...but I have started using colored pencils and doing more planning, which just makes the process even more special. Thank you to you and your husband for making these videos for all of us to enjoy!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Caitlin! 🥰❤️ You just have the sweetest heart and always have the kindest comments. I'm so glad that you're on this journey with me! Thanks for the encouragement! ❤️

[@lorriescott8775]

I finally had the time to do a shirt hunt at a thrift store nearby! Exciting! I found 2 XL shirts with gorgeous colors. Excitement!! That is until I saw the price: $29.99 and $24.99. I can buy fabric at a better price! Minimum wages, increased costs of heating is not kind to the price of goods.

[@privateinfo1711]

Mimi's quilt is an amazing quilt. Rotary cutters were invented 40 years ago. So if this was made before rotary cutters, Mimi's quilt is even more amazing. I really like your nine patch version, also.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It was definitely made more than 40 years ago! Isn't that just remarkable!🤩 Thank you so much! ❤️

[@RobinHarris61]

Love the quilts, Cathy! Mimi's and yours! I like how you "modernized" the Trip Around the World. And the process you went through to figure it all out was awesome to see. You explain it all so well! Thank you for sharing with us! ❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Robin! 🥰 When I was talking through the video with a friend (who was in total support of it) I wasn’t sure that it would be one that people would enjoy--I was worried the layout and math part would get boring. So I’m glad you enjoyed it! ❤🤓

[@ragingsmirk68]

Exquisite work Mimi! You passed on your skills to Kathy. The handiwork and artistry of Mimi lives on.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

But for real tho, right?!? Thanks, Raging! 🥰❤

[@sharonlyman3029]

This is a gorgeous quilt, a huge task and a big achievement. Tks for sharing.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Sharon! ❤️🥰

[@marybeth4002]

I purchased my very first men's dress shirt today (Denim & Flower/Ricky S)...... So excited :)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That is exciting!! 🤩😍❤️

[@kimberlywalders6063]

Had a friend do one with the rainbow colors but every other block is a background color square. Very awesome ! So she had a full square of background then a 9 patch with the background color and the rainbow color. And did it in the design of a trip around the world pattern.

[@corrinneloudon525]

Hi Cathy, this can be done relatively easily by making strip sets and using the Bargello technique. It’s a lot easier than cutting and sewing individual squares.

[@michaelcaselli2716]

Another great video, Miss Cathy! The color gradations you chose…GORGEOUS! I love the glow you’ve achieved in the center…I’d like to think your Mimi is glowing with pride, knowing her quilt she made so long ago is the inspiration for your new Trip Around The World!!! Looking forward to more! Signed Michael’s quilter, Denise😁

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Denise! 🥰❤️ I wish I could sit down with her and talk about that quilt!

[@carolmcqueen3497]

So very awesome. You're a mathematical genius. I can't wait to see the finished quilt.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Carol, I am hardly a mathematical genius, but thank you for the sweet compliment!🥰❤️ I’m eager to see it finished too-sigh. So many projects, so little time! 😂🤓😉

[@frontofficed.burnell-power6288]

Thanks for sharing your thought process. I never thought to approach this as a series of nine patches. 34 years ago I picked up a quilt pattern that was called quilt in a day and it may have been Elenor Burns. But I made both of my children Trip Around the World in 2.5inch squares. I can't find the pattern. But I briefly remember her technique because at the time I thought it was so clever. We made the quilt in identical quadrants and then assembled. We made the quadrants through strip piecing. It was 1987 and I had never heard of such a thing, We sewed 24 strips or how ever many we wanted wide. and the strips were WOF. We made four panels all in the same order. Then we cut them horizontally to create the squares. Then systematically you would create the rows, by first removing one square from the left end and attach it to the right. On the next row you would remove two squares from the left and sew it on the right and on down. By doing this you would have one quadrant. I just remember it being amazingly easy and the final product looking like it was not. The whole time you were talking I was thinking how you could do it with shirt fabrics and I think you could. You have far, far more experience than I as a quilter as I have only recently begun again after a 25 yr hiatus :). It really is fun to hear how you figure things out.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks so much for your comment and kind words! ❤️ That sounds like it was a fun experience making your Trip Around the World quilts! And for the record, I don't have more quilting experience than you...25 year hiatus or no! 😊

[@jillbeck6531]

Wow, what a creative and logical process! Thank you for showing the steps. I had no idea how useful colored pencils and graph paper could be.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Jill! 🥰❤️ And YES! So useful! 🤓👍🏻

[@janiewilliams5803]

Cathy, I just rewatched this. I like to sit and look out the window early in the morning. I am fascinated by the colors of the sunrises. Many days I see aqua. Today there was a pale lavender transitioning into pale peach! Using 9 patches would be a good way to illustrate a sunrise sky, , not in this trip around the world pattern, but in horizontal bands of color. I might have to try that one day :)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Ooh that would be beatutiful! ❤️

[@lisaworkman4293]

Love the colors ,it reminds me of a sunset!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Lisa! ❤️

[@kylierigby1953]

Hi Cathy. That was a brilliant video, thanks. Now I have another project to consider.🙂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Kylie! ❤️ Also I feel no shame for starting you off on a new project! 😊🤓😄

[@debrat777]

Beautiful work Cathy!❤❤❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Debra! 🥰❤️

[@glynisreynolds446]

The first quilt I made was a ‘Trip Around the World’ quilt, made before there were rulers and rotary cutters - each patch was cut individually, but I can’t remember how I managed to lay it out 🤔 For many years I thought we’d thrown it out when we moved house, but during Covid we found it while cleaning out a cupboard 🎉 Imagine my joy 🎉🎉 My quilt is very busy, and I used nasty polyester wadding as it was all that was available in the cheaper shops in the U.K. I’ve made more and it is so much easier now with modern quilting tools and strip construction. Love the 9 patch idea too 🤩 Looking forward to seeing your finished quilt 😊 👍🇬🇧

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Glynis, I cannot imagine my first quilt being a Trip Around the World Quilt! My goodness that's a huge accomplishment! 🤩 And how wonderful that it resurfaced after all those years! 😍❤️

[@janiewilliams5803]

Beautiful! Love how this is looking!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Janie! 🥰❤️

[@valerievesper9216]

I love love love your nine patch version! I always like the white space in a quilt. For traditional trip around the world, strip piecing is absolutely the way to go though. It works kind of like a bargello. I believe Donna Jordan has a video on that if I’m not mistaken.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Valerie! ❤🥰 And yes, someone dropped a link to that video in the comments! I’m interested to see it! 🤓

[@suehorn4182]

The scientists in you comes out in your planning. Good job ❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Sue! ❤️

[@CalicoJungle]

This quilt style looks harder than it is. Cut, and sort squares. Graph paper and color pencils and a swatch of fabric chart. Color the chart. Then start row a, square one. Lay squares in rows one square on top of the next. Careful not to mix. Then sew S1 a to square 2 a to square3 a, etc. When you complete the row go back to S1 and add s2a to Sq across the whole row. Repeat pro ess until you have all squares together like a gridded net. Then sew the next direction, up and down until you have a top. My mother cut and planned the grid on the graph paper, and I sewed. We made a queen size for my sister. We used 2 inch finished squares. Over 30 different fabrics. ☕️ coffee, and more coffee. 😊

[@terriyoung2389]

This Trip Around The World has an ombré effect or sunburst effect. Gorgeous.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That was the plan! 🤓 Thank you so much! 🥰❤️

[@tinkerbell9399]

Your grandmothers quilt is gorgeous! Is it machine, or hand sewn ? Whichever way, it’s a labour of love, and your family is so lucky to have such a beautiful heirloom. Your own quilt is amazing! It took me a while to realise what I was looking at, it’s so simple, but so clever ! Thanks for sharing.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

My Mimi's quilt is both handstitched and machine stitched from what I can tell! And thank you! ❤️

[@elizabethcollins8817]

You are inspiring me to attempt this incredibly intriguing design! Just to let you know, I have a few favorite thrift stores in my area and I have been hanging out at the men’s shirt rack and have found some very beautiful shirts to stock pile for a future creation. 🤗 I so glad I happened upon your channel! The information is invaluable ✂️🧵🪡

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Elizabeth! ❤ I definitely think you should try it…it’s just as easy as a nine-patch!! 😊👍🏻🤓

[@kbsorrells]

You made that math look easy. You are such an inspiration. Love to watch your videos ❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Kristen!! ❤

[@harperreads]

I love your nine patch version! Your first cousin’s daughter is your first cousin once removed. Second cousins have their great grandparents in common.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Becky! 🥰❤️ also I feel like that is information I should know-alas. But now I do! 🤓

[@loribrock991]

Cathy, you are a wonderful teacher. I love the precise way you describe each step. It is so helpful to a beginner like me. Your quilt is going to be gorgeous. Quick question - what SIZE Mens shirt was your maroon one? I think that will help me when looking for a specific color while thrifting.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Lori! That maroon shirt was either a L or XL---I held it up to an XL and it seemed a tad smaller, but then again mens shirt sizing is as fluid as women's dress sizing! 😳🤪😂

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

Awesome! Will be so beautiful when done.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, DiAnn! ❤️

[@thecheshirecrafter4522]

Such an interesting video with a personal touch, very detailed explanation and all unscripted too. Bravo.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@careya]

Such a good idea!

[@deborahlh7747]

Excellent video Cathy! I found that trying to figure out how much fabric was in a shirt and how to utilize it intimidating. You have given me the tools to do this. Very visual and entertaining.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Deborah! 🥰❤️So glad the video made it easier and less intimidating for you! 🤓

[@jeanetterochnowskis142]

Cathy thank you so much for sharing your Mimi's quilt. It is soooo lovely. I really like your take on it and how you totally figured it out by how much yardage you would need for the widest ring. So educational that if I decided to do this exact quilt, I could always go back to this video for referral. On another note...when you ever get some free time to try another quilt pattern, could you please do a Quilt As You Go Log Cabin block? I really want to do this for my first quilt and I feel your instruction would be the best for me. Still gathering men's shirts so I have not even begun my quilt yet, other than breaking down shirts. Soon though. Lol. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 😘🥰

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Jeanette! ❤️🥰 I have never done a quilt-as-you-go anything before---so maybe it might be a little while before I tackle that project! (but you never know 😘) Hope you have a great weekend! 👍🏻

[@destrygraves]

You are absolutely a joy to watch. I love math and I hate when people tell me “you can get an app for that”. Your Mimi’s quilt is gorgeous. How old if it? I often cut leftover fabric into 2.5” strips. This could happen.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Destry. 🥰❤️ I’m not sure how old the quilt is; it was made somewhere between 1964 and 1980, I think! You would LOVE making this one I bet-easy but pretty. 😍

[@nicolebeauchamp7622]

That is going to be a stunning quilt. Thank you for sharing. You mathematical brain was made for quilting. Have ever seen the quilt pattern by Bonnie Hunter "Scrappy trips around the world"? Perhaps this would interest you.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Nicole!🥰❤️I do feel like I was made for quilting!! 🤩I have seen either that one or something like it-they are very cool! Would definitely be great for shirts (and prob a little easier to make) though not quite as impactful as the one big trip around the world! 🤩

[@magdalenaszarnik6754]

I work in logistics and was thinking how I would probably use MS Excel for all that math 😂 Beautiful quilt ❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol! 😂 Thank you Magsdalena! 🤓❤️

[@faithgwa]

Thank you for the complete inspiration and breakdown of this beautiful heirloom quilt. I enjoy every bit of this including the math. 💜 🔢 Can't wait to see the finished project. I have completed two quilts and have one unfinished in the last 15 yrs. It's hard for me to find the space, time and $$ as well as seeing a vision of a quilt from start to finish. Being a mom of 5, in a small home, with my husband and I pastoring a small church, I think for awhile I will have to live vicariously through you in quilt making. Love you channel since day one. Thanks for sharing this with us all.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Faith, thank you so much!❤️ With limited space, lots of bodies and MINISTRY, my goodness, it's no wonder quilting is on the back burner! Thank goodness it keeps. 😘 Thank you for being here with me from the beginning (and still here!)...and for your kind words! 🥰

[@anjamaas7140]

It's beautifull! Thank you for sharing! I think when I will make this quilt, I will do the longest row with a four. Because the furthest square will be a colored one like the middle square. I hope you understand me. Love from Holland 🇳🇱

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Anja! 🥰❤️ I do understand you and that's very smart! 🤓👍🏻

[@florbela1974]

Good morning from Portugal! I have made a trip around the world with flannel pijamas from my daughters. Do you think it would make sense to write a pattern for making a trip around the world whit men's shirts? I save them for years! And I am creating new patterns to sell on etsy.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Good morning, Florbela!!😊I think it’s a wonderful idea to write a pattern for a trip around the world quilt with men’s shirts!! 😍❤️

[@sharonschier8620]

I loved your video and your explanations of what you are doing and why. Just FYI -- Donna Jordan has a good tutorial for "Trip Around the World" on KZbin. She breaks it down into four quadrants.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Sharon! 🥰❤Yes, I watched it at the recommendation of other viewers! She is very clever and efficient! 🤓

[@kathleenswan4184]

This video is so timely! Are we psychically linked quilt sisters? A few months ago I purchased several fat quarters because I liked the colours/patterns and how they went together. After thinking about them for a while I wanted to make an Around the World quilt. I too travelled through KZbin land looking at videos that were very helpful but didn’t solve my problem of did I have enough fabric, how could I extend the size with fabric from my stash? I had sleepless nights and many weird quilting dreams. I have graph paper but really didn’t know where to start. I can’t thank you enough! Now I have a starting point! Thanks!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Kathleen, we must share a Muse! She’s doing overtime between us right now!😂 But in all seriousness, so glad this was helpful for you and I can’t wait to hear about how your Trip Around the World goes!!❤

[@melanienicholson2834]

after looking at the pattern, I have made bargello quilts. I feel that the bargello method in 4 quadrants might work. I've been interested in making one of these and trying to wrap my head around it. Graph paper always helps me, since I learn and apply using it visually.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Melanie, it is definitely a “wrap your head around it” sort of scenario! 🤪But once I realized I could do it with blocks, I was good to go! 🤓❤️🤩

[@wzrdreams]

I LOVE your channel. I love hearing you talk through the design process, the fabric aquisition and the personal history. I am prompted to comment about the Happy Birthday song... that song actually is copyrighted! weird, right?!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you love being here with me! ❤️

[@pollydavenport4776]

Did you discuss “cool, warm, neutral” in another video? I thought I’d watched them all but may have missed it. I love your use of color and placement of color.. I think it’s what makes your quilts sparkle. ✨ I’ve been quilting for a few years but still tend to purchase kits because I don’t trust my own fabric/color selection.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I do, Polly! Here is the link for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX_VpnZtebKSabs And I also store my fabrics in cool, warm and neutrals which I talk about on this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4i1aH16jZx2rJI

[@kathyterrell1547]

When you said you wanted the center to shine, I thought of the log cabin, where the center square is usually yellow or red, to show the hearth or center of the home. I guess it continues in other quilt patterns. Interesting.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

And in my Mimi's quilt the center is a red square! ❤️

[@vloggingwithnina273]

My biggest question would be what size was the plum shirt you measured? It could make a difference if it's a medium versus an XL or XXL. Thank-you for showing the process so we can check our own though.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Nina, I think it may have been a L (perhaps XL) but unfortunately once I break down a shirt I don’t know the sizes anymore, which is why I use the process that I do! 😘 I will say, from experience, you’d be surprised at how far even a M wil go in total fabric wry! 👍🏻🤓

[@vloggingwithnina273]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts I believe it. I have broken down a man's dress shirt. I can't wait to get out there and buy more. Thank-you for responding.

[@donnamonroe4105]

Cathy, very interesting how you studied and analysed this to come up with your solution! Just an FYI which you might be interested in checking out. Some time ago I watched a video tutorial that Kate at the Last Homely House did on the Trip Around the World by sewing strips together in a certain way which made it much less daunting. You might want to look for that and check it out.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Donna! I will definitely check that out! 😊👍🏻

[@SewingWithLawayne]

They are your first cousin once removed, I do family research and OMG the arguements genealogist about how people are related. Love this quilt pattern myself.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much!❤️ And I can only imagine the arguments! 😂

[@patriciahomer5342]

If you are interested, Eleanor Burns has a great video for Trip Around the World. She sews tubes, so it's strip pieced, then rolling it around to unpick alternating seams, helps keep the colors in order. And she makes it like you said in quadrants.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Patricia! ❤️ I've seen tutorials like the one you mentioned...so clever! 🤓

[@patriciahomer5342]

I understand though because you are using shirts, it would be difficult.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

@@patriciahomer5342 everything is just a little different when you use men’s shirts! 😊😉🤓

[@nece58]

That was so interesting!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Nece!

[@terriellenhenninger7938]

Loved this episode. Are you going to use a strip piece method or cut individual squares?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

So far I have done both, but honestly I like doing squares better. It’s probably not as fast but I feel like my quality control is better with squares!😂😉🤓

[@rachelsnee8926]

I think it's interesting that you said there are not many 9 patch or trip around the world patterns around because they are traditional patterns and therefore you can't copyright it. However, I've not seen them combined before, so if that is an original idea you could certainly copyright a pattern for it (you can't copyright an idea). You then went through the entire process of designing the pattern, working out the colour placements, calculating the number of blocks of each colour and then the fabric requirements - however much time that took for you, for people who don't have the skills or the time and just want to create their version of your gorgeous quilt, it is definitely worth the price of a pattern!

[@rachelsnee8926]

I just saw a comment that said she expects loads of people did a screenshot of your fabric requirements calculation, so you have effectively just made a free pattern :)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

And if so, then that makes me happy! I hope they take my "free pattern" and make beautiful quilts out of it!! 😘😊🥰

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I did see a couple of 9-patch trip around the world quilts/quilt patterns combined, so it is not an original idea (for sure), but most of them have one 9-patch color going directly into the next one without a background fabric. I may have been able to make and copyright a pattern, but it just seems like a lot of quilters can just figure it out on their own. (maybe I was wrong about that! lol) 🥰❤️

[@sharonlyman3029]

Happy Birthday song is currently licensed. That's why restaurants that sing are doing "a happy, happy birthday from Joe's Rich Ribs to you..." It's license lapsed and someone relicenced it. You can sing at home but not in businesses.

[@jennjennedington279]

See answer to comment below yours: in Dec of 2015 you were absolved of the guilt of singing the song anywhere you like… it is in the public domain.

[@faintlyartistic7803]

Have you considered using the tube method? I think it would be doable that way. Not necessarily shirt friendly, but doable.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I was just talking about the tube method with a friend---for a smaller project I can see how it would work, but the thought of sewing something only to turn around and seam-rip it feels wrong to me. 😳😂

[@karenfranson8890]

How in the “world” did your Mimi collect enough shirts of the right colors to make that quilt?! Seriously, HOW??😮❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Well she didn’t use shirts-she used fabric that she had, scraps, and probably some that she bought! It’s just my thing to do it with shirts. 😉🤓👍🏻

[@vivienmartin9661]

I wondered how the heck you figured out what would work and what would not when messing around with nine patch blocks. I was getting brain fatigue. Using graph paper and coloured pencils is brilliant. Do you use coloured pencils and graph paper to figure out how all your quilts will look before starting to cut and sew fabric?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Not every one--sometimes if the original pattern from the designer is very distinct, I'll have a hard time "forgetting" theirs in order to make space in my brain for "my" version, and that's when the colored pencils and graph paper comes in handy! 🤓👍🏻 Also, if I go rogue and make up my own pattern (like this one) I will definitely draw it out with my colored pencils!!❤️

[@vivienmartin9661]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Thank you. I find your videos so informative.

[@rachelsnee8926]

I'm intrigued that you didn't cut your strips lengthwise on the shirt fronts - as they are going to be cut into 2.5" squares, each of which has both lengthwise and crosswise grains, what difference would it make unless you have a directional print? Even if you do strip piecing (which I do but I know you prefer to work with individual squares), it would only make a difference if you consistently stacked and sewed your squares and your finished blocks with the grain the same way, which given they are mostly solid colours would mean a level of organisation that is certainly beyond me - do you do that?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Rachel, I've discovered that you can get more 2.5" strips out of a shirt going crosswise rather than lengthwise due to the odd-sized pieces on the side seams. And no, I don't sew my squares on grain the same way--at least not intentionally! (lol) But I do take them off my cutting mat in order so if the stack is undisturbed, perhaps they stay directional and on grain. I DID match up some of the prints in this quilt (specifically the green forest fabric and the navy with bi-colored diamonds.)