Thrift Haul - Looking for Stinky, Stained Shirts to Test Cleaning Solutions

Join me on Patreon - / thecatbirdquilts990
See My Current Work
/ thecatbird
My Favorite Tools:
CUTTING
Spring Loaded Scissors - amzn.to/3yP2WWx
Rotary Cutter - amzn.to/3zduqGP
Self-Healing Mat - amzn.to/3IY7TRW
Embroidery Scissors - amzn.to/3cnW76L
RULERS
Grid Ruler 5" - amzn.to/3RzFQvI
Non-slip Quilters Ruler - amzn.to/3PeivhN
Biased Binding Ruler - amzn.to/3yQ4lMC
Measuring Tape - amzn.to/3uVACk9
Tailor's Chalk - amzn.to/3zcJ1SQ
PRESSING
Iron - amzn.to/3uYMBxt
Wool Mat - amzn.to/3zcXfTL
Tailor's Clapper - amzn.to/3Pst00I
Quilters Clips (for Binding) - amzn.to/3Od3QBR
Quilting Gloves - amzn.to/3RKTe0m
Sewing Machine - amzn.to/3zaWZVw
Beginner Sewing Machine - amzn.to/3zeFQdi
#quiltcon #quiltcon2023

[@jodystancliff7864]

OK confession......I laughed out loud when you sneezed and then sniffed a shirt. I imagined a bystanding customer thinking you wiped your nose on the armpit of a shirt! LOL. Great video as always. I love your thirft store videos.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Jody, when I watched the edit before we published the video, I saw (and thought!!) the same thing!! And I laughed out loud too! 😂 Good times!

[@Making-Beth-Gain]

I was laughing too! It is way more enjoyable to watch Cathy in a thrift store than to watch like 90% of what’s on TV these days.

[@cece624]

Actually, I think it’s sweet when you are talking to Paul instead of the camera. We see the joy you two share!

[@jodesmond6782]

I'm afraid I was one of your people shouting at the camera when you didn't buy that glorious fuchsia shirt. It would have been in my cart in a heartbeat. That color makes a beautiful binding. Oh well 😏

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Jo, I regret not getting that shirt! 😭 It was glorious. What was I thinking, putting it back?!

[@jodesmond6782]

Alas, you were focusing on the task at hand. Happens to all of us 😎

[@michellestitches]

I just love seeing you having such a good time. Relaxed and enjoying the process. But I was laughing out load at the sniff tests. I can’t even imagine!!! 🤣 thank you both so much for taking us all along for the adventure!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Michelle! ❤️ Maybe it was because I was sniffing so many shirts, but this one was pretty silly!

[@Making-Beth-Gain]

I just love field trips with you guys! It takes a lot of patience and courage to be filmed in a public place. You do it SO well, Cathy. We are lucky to have you take us along for each of these experiences and of course for getting to learn from you when you get to testing how to clean up those funky shirts 😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Beth!❤️ Once I get going, I'm usually good and don't notice the people around me too much, but those first couple of minutes---oof! I'm very self-conscious! But I'm glad you enjoy them---I was pretty silly in this one! 😂

[@sewhappysarahr8912]

I squealed YEEE when you said you were thrift store shopping. I love these videos! Sorry you didn't find what you were looking for.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL, Sarah! I'm so glad you enjoy the thrift haul videos---hopefully even when I don't have an ACTUAL haul!

[@donnarichards2021]

Plain old vinegar and baking soda added to a hot washing machine will leave your shirts clean and stink free (works in cold water for delicates and dark clothing too). I have been using this formula for decades as I raised 4 "stinky" kids who routinely returned towels and other items to the laundry center with varying degrees of funk. You make quilting very accessible to people. I love this and have started carrying my own little fob of scraps with me when shopping for "fabric" at the thrift store. Note: I found a beautiful red micro-gingham with very soiled collar. When I got to the counter the cashier pointed out that the tail was stained with feces. I said pssh, that is no problem. It will come out...and it did.

[@jennjennedington279]

But, how did they know it was feces? It wasn’t SNIFFED, was it!!?!?!?!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

oh the horror! 😱 I hope they didn't sniff it!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Donna! I will make a note of the vinegar and baking soda thing and make that part of my experiment!🤓 I can imagine your red micro-gingham shirt IS beautiful and I would have gotten it too! Really and truly, in my experience almost everything comes out in the wash! ❤️

[@kylierigby1953]

Hi Cathy. I was having a giggle with all the armpit smelling 😂. I get lazy with smelly stained ones and cut the armpit out if it hasn't washed up well. 😁. I'm always shoving my nose in the fabrics. No good getting an item that smells like mothballs, let alone b.o. 😂 Have fun washing that pink one. ❤

[@davidhatfield5714]

Me too! Stains, holes, just cut them out. I’m a cheap, scrappy girl, I’ll never miss the parts I throw away. Never had issue not smelling good after washed. Never spend more than $3 per shirt. Funny, Cathy has a great KZbin channel using used shirts for quilt making...I’ve been doing it for years😂 My mom was a quilter and subscribed to 2 or 3 quilt magazines. There were lots of quilts using shirts (80/90’s) in those and for some reason I always took note of them.(KH)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Hey Kylie! I do sometimes cut the yellowed armpits out---I don't spend a lot of time trying to get everything pristine, especially since I know how much fabric I'm getting from it! ❤️ I've really accumulated quite the pinks here as of late---I guess I'd better start thinking about what I'm going to do with them!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

K, I do this too! And you're right---I don't miss the parts I throw away either! 🤓 I don't usually notice smells after I've washed them, but occasionally when the hot iron hits the pieced fabrics, some unpleasant smells waft up! When that happens, I soak the finished quilt in a vinegar/water mixture and then wash it---that usually does the trick! 👍🏻 Also--I think using clothes for quilt fabric really is the history and legacy of quilting; we've gotten so spoiled with having every possible kind of fabric at hand that we've forgotten how to use what we have, and save our pennies for something else!

[@sally-anneshotter9174]

Friday morning in the Uk, cup of tea in hand Catbird quilts to set me up for the day

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww! Thank you, Sally! ❤️

[@stefflcus]

I wasn't saying "Get it!" but I did say "Bless you!" a whole lot! It's reflexive for most of us and especially for anyone in the South. As always, thanks for taking us along and giving me something to do while I drink my Friday coffee! 💚

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you for the "bless you's" and for hanging out with me at the thrift store! It wasn't super productive but it was fun! ❤️

[@Denise11Schultz]

My favorites are the Elena-style plaid and the yellow corduroy 😎

[@valerievesper9216]

Smells- Clorox laundry sanitizer. Hands down. When my poor father in law was incontinent at the end it even got rid of the urine smell. Also destinkified my friend’s son’s hockey gear. 😁

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Me, taking notes, writing down "Clorox laundry sanitizer" and nodding. Thanks for the suggestion!🤓👍🏻

[@gina8330]

I buy Clorox Laundry Sanitizer at Dollar General.

[@juliestafford5959]

I use the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer with great success.

[@pegpage8618]

Oh my goodness - smelling shirts in thrift stores ROFL. How to you even think of these topics? Thanks for doing this so we don’t have too. 😂😂😂

[@sistersister2999]

Polyester is more likely than natural fibers to hold odors. Also, couldn’t help but think about Kaffe Fassett fabrics and that fuchsia shirt!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Sister, I think you're right! And also---I thought about that KF fabric too! Great minds think alike! (and I should have gotten it!) 😂🤓

[@glynisreynolds446]

Gosh you have so many wonderful shirts to choose from 🤩 I’m still trying to get my blue and white chequerboard quilt finished, but I’ve had to finish a 30th birthday quilt first - it’s done 🎉 so now I can get back to it 👍 I passed on an extra large grey shirt for a £1 thinking I’d not use it but since then I’ve thought of a million ways I would have used it 🤷‍♀️🤣 Looking forward to your next video 👏👏🇬🇧

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Glynis, the variety of shirts we have is great, but it is embarrassing too (American excess.) 😱 I'm excited for you to finish your blue and white quilt--I know it's going to be so beautiful! And those grey shirts can be used in so many ways! 🤩 But of course restraint is never a bad thing, either! 😘

[@cece624]

I would like to see a video about using yellow and white fabrics-or perhaps using yellow, tan/brown, and white fabrics-in a quilt pattern.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Great idea! I will put it on "to do" video list! 🤓

[@caitlinmatthews1401]

Cathy. This video! "I have a lot to say about it."Hahahaha. You know these are my favorite videos. I think they should be titled "Cathy's musings at the thrift store". I laughed so many times from your funny things you said. I also think Paul should be on a microphone :) I've never found a stinky shirt at the thrift store...but the fabric detergent is always horribly strong until I wash them at home. You are a saint (or crazy) to be sticking your nose in so many armpits...ha ha ha. I was saying BUY IT for the striped shirt AND the scary reindeer shirt...where else would you find that fabric? ha ha. Always enjoyable, but this was 10 out of 10 entertaining. Love you both and the joy you bring!

[@jennjennedington279]

The scary reindeer was my “BUY IT!” as well. I like those weird fabrics

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I think Paul should have a mic too, but he thinks differently. Glad you laughed along with me--there was a LOT to laugh about this time! 😂 That reindeer shirt was something else! 😱

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Scary reindeer are a "no" for me. Hard pass. 😂

[@nitescudelia8777]

Omg ,you have a huge amount of shirts there ! I really like to watch you searching for proper shirts and I learned something each time. Best wishes from Bucharest !😊❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Delia, we do---it's embarrassing the excess we have in the States! On the upside, it affords me a wonderful opportunity to find great shirts for fabric! 🤩 Maybe you'll come visit someday and return to Bucharest with a trunkful of beautiful shirts to use for quilting! 😍

[@nitescudelia8777]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts I just wait to visit USA ! In the near future we will travel easier and enter US withour visa ! But I'm sure we need a lot of time to visit what we want ! ...and a lot of luggages !🤗😜

[@christinasears6232]

Cathy this was so entertaining. The mens shirts in you area are very vibrant. Thank-you😊 Christina

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Christina! ❤️ And yes, they are!

[@ladyjane3660]

One thing I recently learned is not to discount (pardon the pun) Goodwill. I think the organization has done an about-face over the past couple of years. I was very pleasantly surprised how the one near me somewhere in Michigan seems to have become very neat, clean, and orderly with quality merchandise. I was in one in Bend, Oregon, yesterday, and was amazed at the selection of men's shirts for very reasonable prices. Within the next couple of days, I will check out the one in Boise, Idaho. I enjoyed the pop-ups from The Christmas Story. You (and Paul?) have such a good sense of humor.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Our Goodwill is actually pretty good as well--another commenter suggested that I check out the Goodwill outlet for smelly and stained shirts! (although I would need an antihistamine AND an anti-anxiety medicine maybe to get through it! 😂) I hope your visit to the Boise Goodwill is just as good as the one in Bend! And thank you---we laugh at our own movie references a LOT! 😂🤓❤️

[@dawnbrumfield7895]

Gotta hand it to KZbin, first ad they played was for laundry detergent😉!

[@cece624]

LOL 😅

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL! Yep! Thanks, KZbin! 😂

[@marybeth4002]

In this video you had to 'take one for the team' in finding a smelly shirt LOL. When looking for Denim and Flower shirts I tend to have better luck in the short sleeve section, however, it obviously lends less fabric. I never thought to keep the labels - otherwise I could have sent you some. 😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

MaryBeth, I did! Although I probably would have done it anyway, just for my own curiosity! 😂 I agree, the D&F shirts are often in the short-sleeve section AND they often aren't in big sizes (L is the biggest I've found so far, but usually M.) Less fabric for sure, but worth it! 🤓👍🏻 Lately I've been marveling at the variety of fun selvages and tags that I cut off of fabric and shirts---I think I might start saving them and try to make something cool with them someday!

[@annerankin1191]

Your allergies had me smiling! Just went to so many thrift shops with my sweet sister and managed to sneeze my way through! I have used a diluted mouthwash soak to get rid of moth ball smells in a knit baby sweater and it worked like a charm! I would think it would be very similar to BO. Also, borax is magic! XOX

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

We allergy people just understand each other, I think. ❤️ We don't use a lot of mothballs here in the South (at least in my experience) but that is a good tip to have! And you aren't the first commenter to recommend Borax, so I'll have to give it a try! 🤓

[@patriciabryant6574]

Love your visits to the thrift store! ❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Patricia! ❤️

[@debbietrapp7757]

Good morning Cathy, another fun thrift store shopping visit with you!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Debbie! Glad you came along with me! 😘❤️

[@jillcooper172]

Had to laugh. I just moved to Wyoming and have not seen one linen shirt here at all but boy if you need to make a flannel quilt do we have the flannel shirts. 🤣You were talking about a blue and white quilt - I just finished my first blue and yellow one. Was so surprised it really turned out pretty.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Jill, I'm not surprised at all that your blue and yellow quilt came out pretty! ❤️ Actually I'm also not surprised that you don't see linen shirts in Wyoming! 😂 If I ever need flannel, or you need linen, we can trade! 🤓😘

[@bethliebman8169]

You are fun in a thrift store! I envy your selection of nearby thrifting opportunities. They seem clean, bright and organized. I recently went thrifting with my granddaughter--you would have hit the jackpot for stained and smelly. I am eagerly awaiting your tutorial on cleaning those smelly, stained shirts. My husband favors performance, wicking fabrics. I won't wear that nasty, plastic poly. BTW, I do think polyester holds onto smells more than cotton.

[@monicavalentine8472]

I addicted 😂to buying men's shirts. I love to look for patterned shirts, pink and unique solid color shirts. I use vinegar and sometimes lysol pinesol

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Monica, it is VERY addicting, isn't it?!😱🤩

[@jamieomahen2656]

Makes me want to sing Smelly Cat substituting shirts for cat. Great video!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL! Hilarious! And thanks, Jamie! ❤️

[@tavhuffman6879]

Ohhhh you know I love that yellow corduroy! Right away I was thinking about the cute bunny it would make! Now I just wish you had called me!!! One of these days I know my phone will ring and we will chat away!! Love to you and Paul! Also, borax is wonderful , I add baking soda for tough stains and always use fragrance free everything including laundry soap.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Tav! I bought that yellow shirt for you---so it will be coming your way soon! ❤️ All my love to you! 😘

[@susanlee1827]

Fun trip !! But my nose was itching right along with you. That detergent is a killer!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Susan! 😊 And yes, the detergent smell---ooff!!

[@sandraeasley9354]

Love your videos and this was hilarious. Keep up the great work.😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Sandra! Glad it gave you a laugh! 😂

[@joanbauer8714]

Saw your latest video. You mentioned about doing a video about how to get rid of odors. I'm sure you know all the tricks. I learned from Service Master after the fire we had in our home, was to wash things in 1 cup baking soda 1tablespoon Lemon juice. I use baking soda a lot, I buy it in 12 lbs. bags 4 at a time. The baking soda has been my go to for deodorizing. Enjoy your videos keep them coming. ❤😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Joan! ❤️ I don't use a lot of baking soda, but I do use a lot of vinegar---looks like I've got some experimenting to do! 🤓

[@lucilegubbins4433]

This was funny! I'm allergic to perfumes too, and couldn't imagine sniff testing all these. I was saying get it! for the low volume stripe because - stripes make great bindings on baby quilts!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh what a great idea, Lucile!🤓 I'll have to remember that for next time! ❤️

[@colleen-elizabeth]

I sew enjoy watching these! I do not ever find smelly shirts at the thrift stores I go to. They are all dry-cleaned (cleaner tags still on them). However, I wash them to get the dry cleaning smell/chemicals out when I get home. Once in a while on a light-colored shirt, I see armpit stains after ironing. I cut those out. Recently at a thrift shop I found a Denim and Fower cotton knit T-shirt in size small. It was navy with a white bicycle print on it. I bought it to wear myself! It of course reminded me of you :)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh thank you, Colleen-Elizabeth! ❤️ I sometimes see shirts with dry cleaning tags on them, and like you, wash them to get the chemicals out! I cut out the yellow armpit stains too---honestly it's easier than doing the work to get them totally white again via washing! I love that you got a D&F shirt for yourself--and that's sweet that you thought of me! 🥰

[@jaybird3225]

I’ve been collecting curtains from thrift stores now have a good stash waiting for my next project 👍

[@TheKjoy85]

Some of the shirts you looked at but didn't get, were ones that would work for a quilt for my brother. I was wishing I was there so that I could buy them.

[@tinakercher8768]

What you sacrifice for the channel! 😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?!? 😂 But Tina, you know how silly/crazy I am--if I didn't have the channel, I'd be doing this anyway! 😘

[@Daniel5150You]

Another great video. What I love about used shirts you don't have shrinkage. If you buy precuts after you wash them one directions shrinks more than another. Looking forward to seeing the completed graduation quilt.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Daniel! I was hoping to get more of the graduation quilt blocks done this week but have gotten sidelined with the Super Scrappy Challenge (Mark Rothko) quilt! Thankfully those checkerboard square blocks come together quickly!

[@louisemikowychok6430]

Just found 7 xl shirts at Goodwill - 100% cotton for HALF OFF BLACK TAGS!!! $28.00 total. Excited to try your system. 😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Louise, I'm so excited for you!! 🤩 I hope you enjoy my system for breaking your shirts down! ❤️

[@janiceford-freeman3243]

You have found my favorite men's shirt thrift store! Leave some for me. Lol l

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I did! (THIS time! 😘)

[@bettygentry9672]

I am shocked at the prices at this thrift store. I've discovered a Humane Society Thrift Shoppe in our town which runs a special each Wednesday where you can fill a little hand held shopping basket to the brim (but not over. the brim) for $10.00. My first haul was 14 mens cotton shirts!!! Returned this past Wednesday and purchased 18 -yes 18 mens shirts for $10.00.!!!!!!!!! That's a whopping 56 cents each!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm stocking up. Solids, stripes, plaids, and small prints! Now that is a sale I can get behind and the money goes to a great cause! If you have one in your area, it might be worth checking out. Can you believe that - 56 cents each. I'm so excited!!! Just had to share!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Betty, I cannot even believe that price!! 56 cents A SHIRT!! When I hear that, I immediately think, "56 cents a yard!" That is SO wonderful and exciting! 🤩 I will have to look area my area and see if our Humane Society has anything like that--I hope so! 😊

[@freddiehansen7324]

Stinky shirts are at Goodwill lol they do not launder incoming clothes (at least not in my area) All of our charity thrift stores do. I can not, however, buy stained or smelly shirts even if I know I can get them out. I just can't. And thankfully there are plenty of clean shirts to thrift! My wonderful sister-in-law has gifted me another load of 30+ yards of fabric so I need to find uses for that before buying more shirts lol. I stopped using fabric softeners altogether in my new washer. And the wool balls are great in the dryer.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Ok, good to know about the Goodwill! I'll do a quick run by sometime next week and see if some gross ones present themselves! 😂 And yes, my goodness, definitely use all that awesome yardage! 😍

[@freddiehansen7324]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Absolutely! Though I am working on 4 quilts atm - not sure how that happened lol

[@cece624]

Oh, wow! Loving the Auburn University shirt!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

War Eagle! 🧡

[@jennjennedington279]

Captions on point as usual!!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I agree.(and will pass along the compliment!)

[@gina8330]

Interesting comment on the corduroy bears. I made some pumpkins out of some of my late brother’s shirts. My favorite pumpkin is short and wide and made out of a tan corduroy shirt!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Gina, that is a GREAT idea! Pumpkins out of shirts! Genius! 🤓

[@mama24fb27]

You all are so cute and so funny together 😂🥰

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww! Thank you so much! ❤️

[@scarlet10sewing]

I’ve never smelled body orders on thrift clothes, just that over all thrift store smell on everything. Musty is the closest description I can compare it to. I was everything before wearing it or cutting it up for fabric.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That "thrift store smell" IS a thing, isn't it?!? And yes, I wash everything before using or wearing too--after a run through the washer and dryer, it's as good as new! ❤️

[@teresamcfadden2414]

O m gosh I laughed today. I did notice the further you got into the 👔 the stuffier you became. I hope you survived it all thanks for sharing

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I did get stuffier and stuffier! But I'm fine now! 👍🏻🤓 So glad you laughed along with me! 😂

[@caroldearheart]

War Eagle! Can you have too many orange shirts? 🐅🦅🧡💙🏈

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

War Eagle! Apparently not!

[@deborahsmith463]

this was one of my favorite thrift store videos but I don't think you ever gave us the results of whether or not the smelly shirts actually came good. I don't remember ever laughing so much as I watched you go thru the store doing the smell test.

[@giselleyoung3248]

I don't remember you talking about smelling for stinky pit stains in previous thrift videos 😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Giselle, it's because I usually don't! I just plan on getting stains and armpit smells out in the wash---but to find the BEST way to remove smells, I need the worst offenders! 😂

[@monicavalentine8472]

Love all your videos....just broke down a $300 shirt Cremeiux

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Whoa!!! That’s crazy and awesome!! (And thank you! ❤️)

[@theresaakin2284]

I find I need to treat more clothing from estate sales. From heavily perfumed clothing from older women or really heavy nicotine residue. My go to for those are to remove stains and odors is Dawn dish soap and white vinegar. I've let them soak overnight. Often doilies and other scarves for furniture also need to be treated. Some people use OXY products. I don't find it to work as well as the Dawn and vinegar.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I definitely have used Dawn to get out grease stains, and I use vinegar regularly as well! It really is crazy how our clothes pick up smells from our homes---maybe that's why estate sale clothes are so strong-smelling?

[@angelamyers1201]

The lingering detergent smells (in thrift store shirts) are the worst for me too! We are all scent free laundry around our house (and enzyme free, because my skin reacts weirdly to those as well). I am very interested in what you've got up your sleeve on the cleaning techniques!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Angela---we are fairly sensitive too (well, I am) so when the girls were little I just went scent-free and never looked back! I'll be experimenting and will report back when I have answers! 🤓

[@Heather5073-hr1jw]

God bless you- I dont wash anything in smelly detergents or cleaning products... because they give me a headache. I use fragrance free laundry products and if something is really smelly, wash with a little borax and washing soda, dry with wool dryer balls. I avoid cleaning product aisles at Target, Walmart, Dollar General, etc.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Heather, I needed that bless you with all the sneezing I did! ❤️ And yes, us too with avoiding strong cleaning products and laundry detergents. It's just too much!

[@astorybookfinish5055]

I hear low volume used to describe a variety of fabrics. Few of which would I classify as such. Maybe you could do a video on that topic?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Great idea! I'll put it in the ol' mental hopper for consideration!

[@kathipaschall3893]

😊😊

[@christinahall3318]

So I think you are so brave to do the stinky smelly stain thing!!! Whew! You be very brave. Now, about the pink shirt giveaway. Pink just happens to be my favorite color - Yep! That is truth! Let me know if you need my address! LOL😂 Love ya sis!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Brave or crazy! 😂 And I thought about you with those pink shirts---one of these days you're gonna open the mailbox and have a whole pile of them!🥰

[@christinahall3318]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts That is so exciting!!! I have to tell you that you were so thought about yesterday! I thank you for showing me the way of shirts……I needed some extra blue fabric yesterday so I looked at the closet where my fabric is stored and what do you know but laying there on the floor were a pile of shirts waiting to be used. One of them was a beautiful blue print shirt just waiting for me! It is now cut into 5 inch square except the smaller pieces which are now 2.5 inch squares. All the rest went into my strip pile! Love you sis and love making quilts with shirts!

[@brigittepatry195]

Here I was thinking that when I retire I would do thrift shirt quilts! Nope! Allergies here also. Maybe I will use antihistamine… We are also a no scent house.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Definitely you should try it, but definitely use an antihistamine and/or steroid nasal spray first!!

[@leeannlively]

How to get a smelly Thrift Store Shirt: Have Paul wear a Thrift Store Shirt and do some yard work or whatever activity that would make him sweaty. Just a thought :) Love our channel!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Ok, LeeAnn, I lol'd at this comment! 😂 That would be one way to go about it! Thanks for watching and commenting and having fun with me!

[@MsFitz134]

This is brave. I bought a hot pink womens shirt for a Halloween costume and it smells so strongly like perfume I've been getting headaches. 😬 at least its not BO!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Brave or crazy! 😂 The worst is when you don't think a shirt has odors and it comes out of the laundry fresh, but when using it for quilting and the hot iron hits it---ew-wee! Then I have to soak the finished quilt in the laundry with vinegar to get it to give up the ghost of old BO!! 😱

[@ms.booklover2676]

If you have a Goodwill Second Edition store, I bet you could find a lot of those smells and bells shirts. It’s a Goodwill cast offs store where you rummage through bins for what you want, and you pay by the pound-of the items you want to buy (not by how much you weigh. 🤓)

[@jennjennedington279]

Oh lordy … if you had to pay by your personal poundage…

[@ms.booklover2676]

@@jennjennedington279 wouldn’t that be a hoot and tragic all at the same time? 😂😂😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

😂 Ok, I laughed out loud on this comment.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Mostly just tragic, I think! Friend: "Why are you eating a salad? You hate salads" Me: "I'm on a diet." Friend: "Why?!?" Me: "I'm going to the Goodwill outlet later this week and I'm on a budget!" 😂😂😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Ps, this is a GREAT idea! Thanks for the suggestion! 🤓

[@donnajohnson6566]

Not sure when you filmed this, but did you finally get a Denim & Flower label? If not, I have loads that you can have. I have over 10 D&F shirts that I haven't broken down because I'm just not sure what to do with them yet.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Donna---just this week! So yes, I just need one navy one if you want to send it to me, I would happily accept! ❤️

[@annakastrup9628]

I love your channel. It’s one of my favorites. The sound is much better this time “on location”. What kind of mic set up do you use?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

We use a DJI wireless mic---but Paul used a Davinci Resolve plug-in (in the editing software) that made it so much better! And thank you, Anna! ❤️

[@stellacullum7739]

You are so funny. A cute funny.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Stella! ❤️

[@paulaneary7877]

I checked the three thrift stores near me for shirts. All the ones I looked at were $7.50 or more. More than i want to pay. That's o.k. I have PLENTY of other projects to work on!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Some days I find great bargains, and sometimes not! But like you, I already have tons to work on!

[@karencross1964]

The detergent smell is the 'smelly' to me.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Me TOO! Ugh. SO strong!!😱

[@AuntGrace]

PS. I made a big mistake not smelling inside some little cabinets with drawers before buying. Not sure I can get the musty smell out 😢 Can’t store fabric in there unless I do. 🤔

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh no, Grace! 😱🤢 If you're willing to paint the inside of the cabinet, sanding and then painting over it with Kilz generally does the trick!

[@kitzimmerman9843]

It's not grayge, it is Taupe.

[@pamday5532]

How do you use linen? It seams to soft and see through to me.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Pam, I use it just like I do quilting cottons! I do use a lot of starch before I sew with it, and no steam when pressing (while I'm piecing) but it quilts and washes up beautifully and SO crinkly and soft!❤️ Linen is actually really durable even if it seems see through!

[@pamelafowler4406]

Why is it hard to use the teal plaid in a quilt?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Three-tone plaid (two colors and white or cream) is actually really hard *to me* to work into a quilt unless it's a quilt in those same e colors! Especially if there is a high contrast of value (light and dark) between the 2 colors, and there often is. A multicolored plaid is far easier, as is a 2 tone (white and another color) because the blend of the colors actually blends with other fabrics and often ends up reading pastel or some other single color. Plaids with 2 colors on white (again, to me) draw the eye to that particular fabric and stick out visually compared to other types of fabric.

[@susyk6839]

I know this is a little off topic but I have a question…have you ever tried using flexifuse (lightweight fusible web) on a thin shirt, using another thin shirt? Instead of interfacing, I wonder how it washes when together and how it quilts. It seems like two thin shirts together might stand up little more like an Oxford. Let me know what you think. Thank you for sharing. (I did like some of the ones you passed up).

[@davidhatfield5714]

I have used two fabrics together, once when using a white background on an Appliqué block. Realized after finishing a few blocks that the white was just too thin and see through. The blocks were 8” and i just connected the two with a zigzag stitch all the way around the block and it worked out great. Again, when I wanted to use a pale pink center square, same reason, same result. I now use caution when using white or thin fabrics, don’t really want to do this🙂(KH)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Susy, I haven't used fusible web, but if you try it, comment back and report your results! I'm curious now!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I haven't doubled up fabric like you, K (smart solution, btw) but I HAVE had those thin fabrics be too see through and "lose" their color because of it. Now if I have one, I try to remember to use it in a way where the batting is behind it (as opposed to other piecing) so that the color shows in the final quilt!

[@TheSuwanneeMama]

Gain and Persil make my nose run like a faucet! I’ll admit I’m watching to see if you get a snootful of armpit stink and make an awesome face!

[@jennjennedington279]

Snootful is the greatest word! I laughed out loud reading this

[@TheSuwanneeMama]

@@jennjennedington279 I am glad! Your comment made my day!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I lol'd too!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I love the smell of fresh detergent on everyone else ("oh you smell so nice!") but it is just TOO MUCH for my own clothes and poor sinuses! I never got the horrible stink---but I did make some crazy faces in this one! 😂

[@privateinfo1711]

America's thrift store's the worse. i use hot water in case theres bed bugs. i use baking soda with detergent and rinse with vinegar water and follow with clear water. then i repeat. You have to do all that. Trust me.

[@privateinfo1711]

Oxy clean is good for stains.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You are very thorough! I bet your shirts come out of the wash fresh and squeaky clean! 😍

[@privateinfo1711]

​@@TheCatBirdQuilts I have allergies so I have to be thorough!

[@coreygilles847]

The thrift stores in my area do not wash anything

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oooofff. I bet you get all KINDS of smells and stains when you go thrift store shopping then! 😱🤢

[@coreygilles847]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts oh yes. When I was a kid my mom would have buckets full of soapy water waiting to soak everything before we even brought it into the house. Now I just make sure I just buy as much as will fit in my washing machine and wash it immediately.

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

Do thrift stores actually wash clothes before they put them out?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

DiAnn--it depends on the store! Sometimes they "wash" them in a really strong detergent or deodorizer that is worse than actual shirt smells! 😱

[@gailg129]

I cringed every time you sniffed a shirt ;( All I could think was that you would sniff one so horrific that you would choke. This was quite the entertaining video!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL, Gail! 😂 It's like watching a child in a china store---just waiting for the sound of breaking ceramic! 😱

[@quil10it]

Eeeeoooowwww so gross. Sorry I’m not doing it.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL! Lori, I did it so you don't have to. 😘