Thrift Haul - Quilting With Men's Dress Shirts

[@alanda8109]

I was blessed with a grandmother who was older (my father was adopted) and she had made SOOO many quilts during the depression (usually a blend of piecing and appliqué), using feed sack cloth and used clothing (all cotton, of course). Her quilts were beautiful, but some of those she did later on included picked out darts or pockets here or there. That only added to the beauty in my mind. She passed away while I was in college and, sadly, those quilts disappeared...however, I tracked down a great aunt who still had a suitcase filled with my grandmother's quilting scraps, including some finished & unfinished blocks - fabric scraps from the 30s and 40s! So, I was able to take those finished blocks and, using her fabric scraps, complete her final "Jacob's Ladder" quilt. That was only my second quilt, but I still love it because it was from clothing scraps as well as those feed sacks. (I feel like she and I collaborated and made that quilt together, though she passed away so long ago!) I can imagine what dresses or shirts those scraps were in originally...and some of my favorite memories are when she let me "feed the chickens" from the very feed bags she would later use for a quilt. That quilt helped me begin looking for cotton clothing to reuse in quilts. It also caused me to lean toward mostly cottons, linens, or even (when we lived overseas) silks! ( I don't throw away the buttons nor the zippers either...they go into my husband's grandmother's button box.) After seeing all the beautiful, creative quilting done on quilt shows, in pattern books or on display in various places, I know my grandmother would probably think me silly to continue scrounging for used fabrics! But I guess that's my weakness. Anyway, what a delight to find your channel and like-hearted quilters! You have done such a good job explaining the cutting, organizing, and analyzing colors of the shirts you use. It's a breath of fresh air to many of us. Thank you!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

What a wonderful story of your grandmother and the legacy of her life and quilting!! 🥰❤️ Thank you for sharing! And thank you for your kind words---I appreciate them so much! ❤️

[@claudette9784]

I’m so happy for you… being able to work with your grandmother’s fabric and the quilt she started truly warms my heart! I’m sure she was with you in spirit, smiling over your shoulder the whole time ❤

[@pooie0116]

Stains on shirts? No problem… save up those stained sections, Fray Check the edges and when you’ve accumulated about a yards worth, dye them a darker color. If you deliberately scrunch the fabric pieces while dying, they’ll turn out mottled and camouflage the stains even better.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Great idea! thanks for the suggestion! 🤓🤩

[@debiogle3798]

Great idea! Thanks

[@poppies1215]

In the grand scale of things (if we are talking savings), when I am sorting through the thrift store treasures of disposable fabric finds, there is no price that is a steal. I think value like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I sift and shift fabric because I like the feel, the imagined selection process of the prior owner and the creative story I will weave from what I see in its future quilting journey. In the end, as I stand on that checkout line, I divide in my head the number of shirts I hold by the minutes I spent deciding to buy them and I feel like a thrifting queen. For I know that when I get home I will continue sorting and combining fabric to my hearts content dissecting them into squares of a pending puzzle. A new picture yet to be revealed as each shirt is twisted and turned into a new story to share with the world as a blanket of comfort. It all comes out in the wash one snuggle at a time. Priceless! Thank you again for spinning another tale of your quilting journey that continues to inspire me.🪡🧵💕

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much! 🥰❤️ And you are SO right, the enjoyment that I get from shopping, and feeling fabric and considering them in future projects is a huge part of the value of using shirts in quilts! 🤓🤩

[@PaperDiva67]

You are a great poet! 💛

[@destrygraves]

Beautifully written. Words that could have come from my own heart. Garage sale season will be here soon and I look forward to the fabric I will encounter there at hopefully better prices. Thank you for commenting and putting into words how I feel.

[@poppies1215]

@@destrygraves Thank you and you are most welcome. I find an ease in expressing myself in words when I am doing something I love that I wish to share with others. Cathy always has a way of making me feel at home with her relaxing style of communicating from her ear to ours in video clips. I assure you I would be frozen in time and speechless if I was told I was being filmed. Lol Thank you again Cathy for inviting us all to share your joy of quilting and for sharing your husband’s talents at editing and comment inserts. Some are so comical and enlightening.🌟🧵🪡💖

[@ragingsmirk68]

You are saving fabric from going into landfills and giving clothing a second life. As a theatre costumer, I became an expert at thrift store shopping in my two counties. Talk when checking out and they will tell you the deal days. Everything $1 on the 1st - Everything in a bag for $5 - markdown days - 50% days. Shop at stores in lower income neighborhoods for great deals (low as 49 cents). Shop at a Goodwill Outlet Warehouse (shop by the pound). Shop small thrift stores vs. GW/SA (love supporting the Veteran Thrift) for best deals. Shop at stores near affluent areas for unique items. One store was so clean and everything stocked by color/size (saves time). Check the clearance section of Kohl's, Penneys, etc. (after Christmas sales - Big/Tall section). Go forth and save!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Wonderful advice and great suggestions! Thank you so much! ❤️ (also I wish I could see you in action---I bet you are a MACHINE!) 😂

[@roseswalls3468]

I had not thought of shopping clearance!

[@privateinfo1711]

My granddaughter was in an acting contest (which she won) and she needed a white dress. She couldn't find a dress. So, I made her a dress out of a charity shop 2$ table cloth! I had to cut around two mustard stains!

[@marygem]

I just found a couple of large men's shirts at the free table at our apartment building. One was a Tommy Bahamas and very colorful. Cost=0! They were washed, dried, and cut up within the hour! Thanks for alerting us to another source of fabrics for quilting.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

FREE?! How wonderful and so exciting!! ❤️

[@conniemurdoch8528]

Ok you mentioned the old time way of producing linen. Well, as usual, I have a lot to say about it! Seriously! I have many hobbies besides sewing, quilting, making really. But I am also a genealogist. In Canada, our census only started in 1851. I have a very diversified DNA. I have a French ancestor that came from Caen in the early 1600’s to Montreal as part of La Grande Reçu. That was a whole boatload of craftspeople from France that they hoped would remain after the year they signed up for. They wanted them to provide professional services (my ancestor was a tinsmith/coppersmith). What they didn’t say was they also wanted more adult men in the settlement to fend off the Indians. I have another ancestor who arrived around the same time from Holland to the Dutch West India settlement of New Amsterdam. He was later killed in the Schenectady Massacre. The people who raided the Fort at Schenectady could very easily been some of the people from Montreal. Anyhow it’s my Irish ancestors that I’m excited to tell you about. They came to Canada from Northern Ireland and settled in Southern Ontario. To go back to the census the 1851 census was the first Canadian census and it was unusual in that it was the only one to have all farmers keep a complete schedule of everything they produced on their farm. So I have a list of every single thing that my great great grandparents produced on their farm. Two of those things that my great great grandmother produced was 27 yards of woolen cloth (carded, spun and woven). Then she did all the things to make 30 yards of linen. She also chased down bees for honey, boiled sap to make maple sugar, preserved all kinds of things and the garden vegetables were also women’s work. In addition she had to sew the above mentioned fabric into clothing for her first 4 children - she eventually had 11. Pshaw, all you do is go and pick it up from a thrift store! 😜 Doesn’t it make you wonder how they did it? There are a few books that Canadians love by siblings who emigrated from Ireland at the same time as my Irish ancestors. They recorded all the experiences and lessons they learned about being a new settler in Canada and it explains in great detail how they farmed and produced the goods that clothed their family.

[@poppies1215]

I am of Irish descent and appreciated the history lesson. My great great grandmother was a professional laundress who came over to America on the Cunard line and settled in Connecticut where she serviced the cleaning and proper handling of many a fine linen product she was hired to care for by her customers. Linen never goes out of style. It’s beauty and feel have inspired countless needle workers to weave, sew, embroider and iron the fabric to their hearts content. Thank goodness for our ancestors fine appreciation for learning their trades and sharing their products with all of us through the generations.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I always wonder how they did it! After watching the video on how linen is made (the old-fashioned way), I thought, "my goodness! how did they ever get enough to make whole yards of fabric?!?) 😳

[@conniemurdoch8528]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts the thing was, there was nothing else than what they made to clothe their families. If they didn’t get the fabric woven, their kids had no clothing. There was no store anywhere to buy fabric or even needles from. It was NOT Little house on the Prairie. If you read the description of what they had to do to get a yard of cloth you would be shocked. It truly was primitive living. They couldn’t even use horses as cutting through old growth forest was almost impossible. I was so proud of that agricultural schedule. I kept it pinned on my genealogy whiteboard and I see it almost everyday. BTW, do you know what a manglewurtzel is? Because they grew those to feed their stock because they couldn’t sow grain or corn until they cleared land that could get sunlight in for 8 hours a day.

[@traceycoles1693]

Love this! Thank you for sharing!

[@conniemurdoch8528]

If anyone is interested in the books about the Irish families that were about what life was like in the early 1800’s in Canada I can give you a list. They are easy reads and are often recommended for Elementary students to do research about the settlers that came to settle after the American Revolutionary War. They are all available on Project Gutenburg for free as there are no existing copyrights on these books.

[@MamaYoda]

My most recent thrift haul was just that. A haul. All adult shirts were 50 cents! So I’m driving home with a bulging bag full of 16 cotton shirts debating if I should keep some of them in the van’s stow-and- go to allow them to trickle into my home at a slower pace OR if I should just load them in all at once, owning the fact that I’m a bit crazy…😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lynette, been there, done that!! 🤩😍🥳 I always just bring them in and say, "Look at all these amazing shirts I found!!" Because honestly, I can't contain my excitement! 😂

[@nicolebeauchamp7622]

😂😂

[@lauralinash5341]

All at once! Go for it big time!

[@sharon1934]

Just take in one washing machine load at a time!

[@dorrisdale6269]

I think, especially when you are frugal, that you can not get distressed over how much you spend making a quilt if you consider how much you would be spending on any other hobby or pastime. If you were not being productive and making something, then you would be finding something else to occupy your time. Most people spend tons of money shopping, going to movies, fishing (which is not necessarily a bad thing), skiing, or any number of things that are expensive and think nothing of it. But for some reason when it comes to something like making a quilt, they have a hard time believing you would spend so much doing that. I applaud you for finding a way to save money AND do something that is productive AND that you love.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Dorris, my husband tells me that EXACT thing all the time! My father was a golfer and spent a TON on that hobby (clubs, green fees, etc.) and I never thought a thing about it---but you're right, people cannot accept that fabric and quilt-making is similar! And at the end of our "spending" we have a beautiful quilt that might just last a lifetime! ❤️

[@sewhappysarahr8912]

Cathy, I laughed so hard when you were talking about spilling your food on your clothes and had to put down my knitting to comment! I spill my food so often that my husband calls me the "convicted spiller!" Thank you so much for this fun and informative video. I was singing "These are a few of my favorite things" to some of my students the other day and they didn't understand the context at all. The things these kids are missing!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh I'm so glad you laughed and obviously relate! ❤️ And "convicted spiller" is priceless! 😂

[@yoshiew05]

Love the tip of saving the collars for color match/ fill in. I went to a thrift store and the shirts were expensive $10-12 each. Still worth it to me b/c the colors and feel (hand) of the fabric and totally unique as well. I LOVE POLKA dots too! Orderly and playful at the same time.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Yoshie, isn't that a great idea! Not mine, but I was thankful for the suggestion! 😄🤓 ALSO you description of polka dots is EXACTLY IT: orderly and playful at the same time!! YES! 🥰❤️

[@annerankin1191]

Paislies are my kryptonite! I just love how excited you get when talking about your shirts! XO

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Paisley! Kryptonite because you don't like them, or kryptonite because you like them too much? I do get mighty excited about my thrift haul shirts! 😂🤩😍

[@annerankin1191]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Because I LOVE, love, love them!!!!!

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

Good morning! Listened to you as I walked on treadmill. My time went much faster. I agree, buying men's shirts are so much more economical than buying regular fabric. I have even found some great scrub tops for my stash. Have a great weekend.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Yay for exercise, and yay for the time passing quickly (glad I could help! 😂😘) I too, have bought scrub tops (and there are so many great prints in them), but in the end I like shirts the best!!

[@kylierigby1953]

Oh dear, back to the start. And now I want to go thrifting again🤣🤣

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

😂😂😂

[@dippsydoodlecreates]

Loved your comment about your mom's shopping & saving mentality! My mom was also a shhhoper. I would often hear her tell my dad, "it was such a good deal, I couldn't afford not to buy it!"

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL! It is definitely a whole mentality! 😂😳🤩

[@AdirondackJenScott74]

The on screen pop up comments are everything!!! Never quit, that keeps me laughing.. tag tag!!! ❤️❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I laughed when I watched the edit and saw, "tag tag!" 😂 So funny to me, too!

[@shannoneaster9311]

Cathy, your mother and I are soul sisters! I too save sooo much money when I shop a bargain! It’s like treasure hunting! And thrifting is the queen mother of treasure hunts! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 And by the way, I see a subtle floral shirt in Paul’s future. 🤩 A reward for another job well done filming and editing today’s episode. Thank you for sharing and inspiring your quilty viewers. I love a good treasure haul video, especially one with a nod to The Sound of Music! 🥰

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Shannon, I laughed at "Thifting is the queen mother of treasure hunts!" 😂 I agree! 🤩😍

[@jeanetterochnowskis142]

Too funny Cathy. Many thoughts went through my head on this video. #1 my mother-in-law was a shopper and when I was newly married my husband said something to me to keep me from being a shopper...except my craft supplies. Lol. He said and I quote" Ask yourself, do you need it or want it? " Funny thing is I never forgot that and for the most part live by it. Keeps from being a horder. Lol. Loved this video and went and watched th linen making video. Omg! What dedication and a true artisan. Mind boggling! Thanks sooo much for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Nettie, I OFTEN ask myself, "do I need this, or just want it?"---and I agree, it keeps me from gathering too much! Isn't that wild about the linen video?! I was shocked and completely engrossed in it! How did the early settlers and pioneers make YARDS of fabric from linen?😳

[@pegpage8618]

Cathy - I don’t think I have ever seen a quilt made of linens and I’m so looking forward to your process on that. The linen fabric is so wonderfully soft I am just so intrigued by using linen in a quilt. Thanks for sharing your journey. ❤ 🤗

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Peg! ❤️ I’m interested to see how it turns out too! 😂

[@christinahall3318]

Well Sis, You’ve done it again! What a beautiful thrift haul!!! (Or 2) YES on all of the beautiful linen! Love those larger ones except when you bring it home and yo man says “Oooooo that is a beautiful shirt, may I try it on?” He does and it fits and you lose the beautiful linen but he gets a new shirt to wear this summer. I love polka dots, linen, gingham, and those beautiful florals especially the tiny ones. Another great video my friend! #linenstrong

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Christina, right?! And, yes, my goodness you being generous to your husband! 🥰 I love the hashtag!!! 🤩🤓❤️

[@lindaherrington6291]

Thank you for another really interesting video. Will look out for those shirts in future projects. Must say I'm always eager to transform the 'shirts' into 'fabric' , they take on an entirely new life form 🙂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Linda, me too! Fabric is more appealing than shirts---and definitely helps me envision future projects a little better! 🤓👍🏻

[@freddiehansen7324]

I think part of the reason I LOVE using thrifted shirts/skirts/pants/bed linens etc. is not only that is it cheaper it's also keeping it out of the landfills. While cotton/linen does break down better than poly-cotton (biodegrade) most shirts/fabrics are perfectly fine and usable. The waste people produce with clothing is insane. When I thrift at the outlet Goodwill - I pay between 50C and maybe $1 for a shirt ( maybe 25C for a child's size and yes I buy those too, as they have the most fun colors). I do buy the "full price" thrifted which ranges from $1.99 - $6.99 and it's still cheaper than new fabric. Also the patterns you can't really get outside of shirts and I really enjoy those too. Yes, I also buy new yardage from the local quilt store, Walmart, online etc. And let's not forget how LOVELY a cotton/linen shirt FEELS when it has been used for a while :)

[@destrygraves]

Cathy I absolutely love that last shirt. The gray with the almost daisies. Setting aside the the discussion of money, more importantly, you are saving the planet. Good finds this trip and again one of your daughters saying “just get it” while you are debating. ❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Destry, I can always count on one of my girls to say "just get it!" 😂🤩🤓 And yes, you're right! Let's keep all these gorgeous fabrics out the landfills! 😱

[@dianeroome972]

Love seeing the thrift hauls. I hope you had a buggy to hold your treasures. LOL. I bet you could dye the cream linen shirt. It could be made almost any other colour you might need.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Diane, do you know I didn't get a buggy that day either!! 😂😘

[@jeankubicek]

I was so happy when I found your channel because of your "thinking outside the box". Shopping shirts in the thrift store became a hunt for treasure never experienced before for the material. When I first started my husband would say "I don't need anymore clothes" (he is a minimalist at heart) and then he would get the look from me and get the hint lol. We play the game of "what did I pay for this" as in how cheap did I get it for. The kids just shake their heads....hey who says you can't be frugal and get quality at the same time!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Jean, it IS such a treasure hunt! And when you find a good bargain it's like winning the lottery! 🤩

[@amandahugandkiss-qv6ph]

I found a great deal on men’s shirts during a goodwill bag sale. Stuff as much as you can in a bag for $15. I ended up with about 26 shirts around a dollar a piece. My daughter has been braiding the seams I cut out of the shirts as I break them down and is making a rag rug out of them. She told me I need to buy more shirts now! ha ha

[@PaperDiva67]

I love the rag rug idea. I just hate to throw them away and have not so it’s a fabulous long-term sit in front of the TV project!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

How wonderful!! ❤️ That is a fantastic haul!! 🤩 And what a great idea to use the seams to make a rag rug---GENIUS! 🤓❤️

[@saraborisch5343]

Saving pieces pinned together is brilliant! Floral dress shirts are the very best.......

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I can't take any credit for that great idea---several viewers suggested that!! 😍

[@deafsetter]

Enjoyed listening to your thoughts while I was sewing. You have finally convinced me to try shopping for thrift store mens shirts. I like that you let us know that a man's shirt is almost a yard of fabric. I'm getting excited to visit local thrift store on Tues for senior discount!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Debbie, if you want to know exactly how much fabric is in each shirt, I have a video that shows every size broken down (with a fat quarter held up to it for reference!) I'm excited for you, too! 🤩

[@jadrankacarmichael5392]

Good morning from England, it’s 6.30am here 😊

[@iknitb4itwaship33]

Next? Buying more bins to store men’s dress shirt fabric! What a great haul!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right!?

[@quil10it]

I just came upon your channel and I’m about 2 weeks too late to gift you but I recently donated (to the delight of some quilters I’m sure)to a local museum store my samples from when I was a fabric rep. One of my companies was a men’s clothing manufacturer and would send me shirting samples on a weekly basis. I thought they were fabulous! But ended up with thousands…so much variety they were jewels in my quilting. I’m so glad to know someone else sees the endless possibilities in clothing fabric.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh Lori!! How wonderful for your local museum store!! I'm so glad you found me---and although I hate I missed the chance to be gifted shirt samples, I would so much rather just have you here as part of my YT community.❤️ And it's always great to have another shirt-as-quilting-fabric lover here with me! 😘

[@eavesdroppin1]

Hi Kathy! You are very fun. Although I've never used dress shirts to make a quilt, it is on my to-do list for a quilt for my youngest son. He had over 100 dress shirts in his wardrobe when he was a skinnier young man and I have saved some of them. He still has so many shirts that are never used, so I still have some choices in his closet. Currently I am finishing a quilt I started in the mid 1990's made of his clothing (all cottons) that he wore in the 1980's. He was a clothes-horse at age 11. If I had not started on the bow-tie pattern at that time (which does not excite me these days), I would end up with something much different. At this point, I just want to finish.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh, Susan, I feel that so much! Just having to "push through" and finish something for which you no longer have energy or excitement is tough! But you will be so pleased and relieved when it is done! 🤩 Thanks for watching and for your comment! ❤️

[@angiewarren6045]

I too love polka dots! I think it gives a quilt whimsy! And who doesn’t love whimsy?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Whimsy is the perfect word for it!! 😊

[@AvivaHadas]

Have I mentioned my shades of gray quilt? I had a bunch of light grays to use as lights in a quilt and noticed their subtle differences, so I collected them, as you do. (The Grays that are marketed to Japanese quilters are SOOOOOOO different to the ones I bought from Moda or other brands that sell primarily to the USA market.)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh I'd love to see that shades of gray quilt. I bet it's beautiful! 🤩

[@pennyskelton1851]

I am now retired and on a tight budget. I am so excited about quilting with shirts!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh yay!! It is so fun…the cost savings is really the secondary thing for me now! 🤓👍🏻

[@paulamcclellan8436]

I like plaids & checks in pastels for baby quilts. I found a gorgeous pastels plaid shirt in a 2. Or 3 X size & it was $2.50 . I felt like I had hit the jackpot. So I totally get your vibes.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You felt like you hit the jackpot because YOU DID hit the jackpot!! 🤩😍😊 Those 2X and 3X shirts in pastels plaids/checks are THE BEST!!

[@jenedelwilcox6647]

Seven shirts, at least seven yards of fabric for $19.50, $2.79 per yard with bonus yardage...can't go wrong. People spend $5-7 per fancy coffee every day of the week and have nothing to show for it. And you got the double bonuses of the fun of exploring and mining for the shirts and then sharing with us.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?!? All the bonuses on this one! 😍🤓🤩

[@debiogle3798]

Ok, so now you can show us what to do with those cuffs n collars. I went to the doctor yesterday and was talking to an elderly gentleman and his wife. We talked about how much money we wives save our husbands, he just giggled. He said they buy clothes at thrift stores and that got me talking about your channel. His wife quilts so I shared your channel with her. I need to make up some cards to hand out about your channel. I love linen n Oxford Oh my! Oh my goodness I wrote about saving money before you told the story of your momma! My husband says the same thing, “ but if you didn’t buy anything you would of saved even more.” 😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I love everything about this!! 🥰❤️😂 I need to send you some of my cards!! (and yes, I have some!)

[@jennjennedington279]

Captions absolutely perfect. I rewound to watch tag tag again. I’m in for a linen quilt. And I love that gray floral. I talked out loud to you in this video more than usual!

[@thecheshirecrafter4522]

I quite agree. I save myself a fortune at the charity shop every week and still manage to feed my addiction of breaking down a bag full of shirts.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I just broke down a shirt last night watching TV and again was reminded how satisfying and rewarding it is just doing that part! ❤️

[@elizabethcollins8817]

I, too, want to be more practical when looking for fabric. 🤗 Thank you for your wise and practical advice ✂️🧵🪡

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Elizabeth! It's such a fun thing to find affordable a beautiful options for fabric!

[@Amritadivya54]

My favorite thrift store charges $7-$10 for men's shirts normally and quarterly has a 1/2 off sale. You did good!

[@wendymartin1733]

Love, love love your haul videos. I’m learning so much about using mens shirts for quilting fabric. ❤️ Thanks for sharing. 😀

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Wendy! ❤️

[@gisellejones1139]

Great haul !! I would love those prices...quilting is NOT inexpensive but oh the joy!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Giselle, yes....the joy!! 🤩😍

[@annettemaxie-mahmoud2390]

Very nice haul! I am learning a lot from you! Thanks ❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Annette! I'm glad you're learning a lot---that makes my heart happy! 🥰

[@lauralinash5341]

WHAT!!??!! $19.50 for 7 shirts?!? That's awesome 👌 I just bought shirts at a local thrift store for an online sew along doing Harrisonburg quilt with Pat Sloan. The store has increased alot of their prices. I was finding some with prices of $14, $15, $18! The cheapest were $5.50. You really got a deal.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?!! So lucky to have been shopping on half off clothes days!! ❤️

[@joanbaierl3425]

I’m new to your channel and have not seen how and what you launder these shirts with. Any possibility going over that again or direct me to a link? Thank you. You know what I like so much about your idea is fabric from men’s shirts is not so busy also how do you take them apart? I’ve asked my son in law to save his dress work shirts for me so I can make a nap quilt for his kids.thank you again. Joan.

[@lynnries7729]

I love linen, I thrift men's shirts and sewing supplies and I enjoy your videos but, I don't quilt!! Men's shirts are good for all kinds of projects... I'm always thrilled to find linen, my favorite fabric. Who knows, I may try a small quilting project.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lynn, I love linen SO much (truly my favorite) and you're right, men's shirts work for ALL kinds of projects!! (but you know I'm cheering for you to try a quilting project!😘)

[@lynnries7729]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts LOL maybe someday!

[@uppereast74]

You are blessed down in Alabama. The Goodwill near my home in NYC used to charge a flat $7.99 for dress shirts. About a month ago they revised their pricing. Some shirts are as much as $19.99. Often they get high quality shirts as the store is adjacent to an affluent neighborhood. However at nearly $20..00 I am much more judicious in my shopping. Unless it's an XL-XXL then I take into consideration if the fabric special enough to buy. There was a beautiful Ralph Lauren blue and white linen gingham shirt on the rack, but it was a S. There are many more interesting quilting fabrics that are less than $20.00 per yard to consider.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

We are lucky to have such affordable prices, although ours are on the rise too!! 😳 and yes, I agree! When they start getting up $20 (or even $13!) it's cheaper to buy quilting cottons!

[@caitlinmatthews1401]

The first time I went looking for shirts after seeing your videos, I was surprised at the cost of mens shirts. But like you I realized compare to the quilt store it is a great deal...and reusing feels good! I will start hunting for linen. My pillowcases will be the start of my stash!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Well you've got a good jump on a linen stash with 2 pillowcases!! 🤩😍 "Linen stash"--I like the sound of that! ❤️❤️❤️

[@suemacfarlane7372]

Thank you so much for the time and care you put into your videos. You talk about the 'cost' of your fabric in monetary terms, but I am also interested in the environmental cost. Using fabric that already exists for making quilts is such a good thing environmentally, and also harks back to the early pioneer quilters. Getting the shirts 'pre-loved' also (usually) means that they have been well washed and you can see how they have stood up to that. Using shirts with stains is really good, because they probably wouldn't be picked up for people to wear, and you can use the fabric that isn't stained. Re-use is better than recycling so, again, you're winning. I would be really interested in a video about the 'processing' of the shirts. I guess to you it might not seem very interesting, but just showing how you cut them, if you save the buttons, what you do with the scraps, etc would be interesting to me. I sew with my sister-in-law, and we have a 'scrap bag' from the local thrift shop. We put all our scraps in there - and they really are scraps, because I can use the smallest of pieces for scrap quilts - and it goes back to the shop where they have it recycled. They get paid by weight for the recycling so, again, winning. We put linen in separate bags as they get a higher price for that. Thanks again for taking the time to share with us.

[@jennjennedington279]

There is a video about the processing of the shirts! And it includes answers to those questions. Look at the early part of the playlist. What a great system you have developed with your sister.

[@suemacfarlane7372]

@@jennjennedington279 thank you so much. I haven't been subscribed for long, and should have checked through first, so thank you. Yes, we have a lovely set up, and often use cotton duvet covers for foundation blocks and quilt backings. I'm keen to move on to the shirts now. I've used the odd one for my husband's old shirts in quilts, ut never thought of buying them specifically for that purpose. Happy Quilting :)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Sue! ❤️ And YES, to all this comment! I see that Jennifer did a great job answering your question (exactly what I would have commented, btw!) Love your system with your sister-in-law! Great job to both of you! 😘

[@suemacfarlane7372]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts I'm loving watching all the back videos from before I found you. Thank you for the time, effort, and enthusiasm that goes into them :)

[@Jelske]

😂 I had to laugh so hard about the Moster and Co reference! I hope this will become a staple like your seam reaper hahaha

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

😂 Right?! I'll have to slide "always watching" in another video every now and agan! 😂

[@anjamaas7140]

Great video again! Thank you

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Anja!!

[@PaperDiva67]

To average anywhere from $2.75-3.50 a shirt is a great price!!! The prices in thrift stores has been steadily rising so anything under $5 is a deal! Where I live the prices at the thrift stores is higher than the rest of the country (CA), many people are simply shopping for themselves because they need to save money. They probably appreciate having a lower than retail option to cloth themselves. My latest conundrum is waffling between keeping the shirts and reselling them 😮. I’ve begun reselling and went through a pile that were high end brands; Ralph Lauren Polo, Tommy Bahama etc. they sell anywhere from $25-50! Leaves me a bit confused😂. My other dilemma occurs when I find a 2x shirt because hubby wears that size!!! I’m usually feeling like it’s only fair to offer it to him if he likes it. I’m secretly praying that it doesn’t fit him right or that he won’t like it 😂😂😂. Both situations are really a very good thing… there’s far worse dilemmas to be in😊.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Good gracious, $25-50 for resale?! That's amazing! And if you're a good shirt hunter I bet you can find a lot of good ones out there--which means you get more $$ to spend on fabric for quilting! 🤩🤓😍 I think it's very generous of you to offer the shirts to your husband! If I found one I really liked, I'm not sure I would offer it to Paul! 😂😳😘

[@HeikeWoolard]

Awesome shirt finds again. I feel so blessed. I pay $2 per shirt and $1 if the shirt is tagged the color of the week.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Heike, those are great prices! You lucky duck! 😘

[@HeikeWoolard]

​@@TheCatBirdQuilts I feel lucky. We also have a pretty good selection of quilting fabric. Most are scraps between 1/8 yd to a yard anywhere between $0.25 to $2. And then my friend who "curates" the craft department makes ziploc bags with smaller scraps also at $0.25 to $1 for the gallon sized bags. So.much.fabric.in.there! Now's hoping that nobody from my town watches your videos 🤣🤣🤣

[@jenniferschildt6635]

I’ve just started to build my stash of shirt fabric, so I’m limiting my budget to $2 or less per shirt. My Goodwill does $2 color tag Tuesdays, and I have both Goodwill and MCC bins, as well as some church thrifts nearby who mark down to $1. I’m sure as I get closer to actually making a project I’ll be willing to pay more for a fabric to fill a gap in a color way.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

J K, I think that's *exactly* what I've done over time, too! Initially getting good stuff at very low prices, now paying more if it fits a need for something I'm missing! 🤓👍🏻

[@nancyseaton6896]

I totally agree with you on maybe not wanting to know the exact amount of money spent on the quilt, for me even time!:) It's a process I enjoy and don't want anything getting in the way of that!:) I don't even want to know the time it takes me to break down a shirt!:) I love it, I do it and I save money!:) I also love polka dots and a cart for thrift shopping!:):):)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Nancy, it really wouldn't serve me at all to know how much of anything: how much time OR how much money!! I'm with you--let's just say ignorance is BLISS! 😂😍🤩

[@kimandrews9734]

Hi Cathy! I found your KZbin channel about a month ago. Even though I've mostly been a quilt store fabric quilter, I have made several memory shirt quilts. First off, I really hate shopping. Any kind of shopping. I have Cheryl Arkison"s A Month of Sundays book and she has a quilt/pattern in it for a muted blue/grey/white stripe shirt and I thought men's shirts would be great for it. So today, I had to go to my local Goodwill to see what I could find in men's shirts. I was in and out in less than 15 minutes. I found 7, I repeat SEVEN, XXXL long sleeve shirts in blues and greys discreet plaids, checks, "grids" at roughly $4.99 ea. So instead of stripes, I'm going checks/plaids. I hoping to find a linen shirt, just to see if I like it because I am obsessed with your linen nap quilt. I am from the South also (SE Louisiana) so I love hearing you explain the meaning of words we use, such as "cut up". Keep up the videos. I love them!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Wow, Kim, that is an incredible thrift store find! Thanks for being here with me on my quilting and YT journey---I'm thrilled to have you here! ❤️

[@kimandrews9734]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts You are truly a bad influence. =) I found my first linen shirt today and even though it is red, and I am not a red person, I had to buy it as it felt so great. And at $4.99, I could not pass it up. I want an all linen quilt, so this might take a few years.

[@suematcham6336]

I bet you were a winter in Colour Me Beautiful. I had mine done,, and continue to wear those colours. It carried through to my quilting later. The majority of my quilt fabric colours are winter colours, clear and bright.🤣very few brown quilts.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Very much a winter!

[@feleciachance8987]

Cathy, you have scored again. Really miss you.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I miss you, Felecia! 🤓❤️

[@gloriawoods9848]

I feel so fortunate that one of our thrift stores has a $5.00 bag sale on Fridays! I roll up about 15 men's shirts in one bag!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You should feel so fortunate...that's wonderful! 🤩

[@gloriawoods9848]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Today I went to a different thrift store and purchased women's shirts, etc. that were all 25 cents each! Actually they were even included in the buy one get one free sale. Lots of beautiful clearance items in that store. Thanks for your videos. I'm learning much from you!

[@theresameese4800]

I so enjoyed this haul video. Please keep them coming!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Theresa! ❤️

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Im a Summer. Thank you

[@michellenisun6308]

What a wonderful haul!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Yes it was---a definite "stash-builder!" 🤩

[@anneoconnorao]

I am wondering if you have tried Amway Prewash. It is a spray that is just darn good at getting out greasy and set in stains, even if they have been through the drier. You may want to try it!

[@lanellelines2917]

I’m so excited. I found a cream men’s shirt today for $3.99. It was a men’s size 24. There will be so much fabric to get out of it.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That's so wonderful! 🤩 Congrats on your great find! ❤️

[@LM-bm4hl]

Lisa from Louisiana here I’m a new subscriber…..I absolutely love all your videos Just returned from my very first shirt haul .99 (Salvation Army) ….3 linens 6 cottons ….ok I’m hooked …can’t wait to make my first shirt quilt …..thank you for posting all these wonderful videos

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Lisa! ❤️ I should have warned you that thrift store shirt buying is very addictive! 🤩 #sorrynotsorry! 😂😘

[@sherryfaires7931]

Hi Cathy! Of course, if you are on, I am watching! Or I will be! I love the idea of saving money where you can. I do have a question that I just thought of tonight. Do you think a quilt made from the shirts will last as many years as a quilt made from new fabrics? I think about how many times my husband’s shirts are washed and they do change over time. The shirts you get look like they are in good shape, so maybe there wouldn’t be much difference. I know that the early settlers made quilts from clothes and some quilts last 50 or 100 years or more. I was just wondering about that. About your grays or greys…I tend to like the bluish grays better than the green-grays, beige-grays, or the pink-grays. What do you like the best?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Sherry! 🥰 I have wondered that very thing--will quilts made from shirts last as long as quilts made exclusively from quilting cottons?! I don't know, but I mused the sane thoughts as you have, "If the pioneers and settlers used fabric from worn out clothes and flour sacks, (and some of them are still around and in surprisingly decent shape) then it will probably hold up well enough!! And to answer your other question, I tend to like the beige grays the best! I don't like pink-grays at all because they are HARD to match and read lavender. Some green grays are pretty but some feel sickly, and blue-grays look the best with other blues and yellows! Ok, that was more than you asked for! 😘😂🤓 But then again, #ihavealottosay! lol!

[@bethliebman8169]

I adore a thrift haul video! I recently had great results with a recipe for stain removal: Make a paste with one Tbls. each Dawn dishwashing soap, baking soda and peroxide. Spread it over the stain with back of a spoon, let sit for an hour, then wash as usual. My food stained knit white shirts came through this process stain-free. I even used this on a fleece that was unwearable due to a dark stain all down the front. I had to do this twice, but it is now wearable. I think this would work on the stained bits on your thrifted shirts. I think you will drive yourself nuts calculating money spent on making a quilt. You know you are keeping shirts out of the landfill and finding fabric well below yardage at the fabric store. This should be enough.

[@destrygraves]

I spent three years trying to find the formula for getting hooter’s sauce out of a white t-shirt. Same shirt. Never dried in the dryer because that sets in the stain. The secret is meat tenderizer. Made into a paste and patted in. My family has used that method for years to take the sting out of bee, wasp, hornet stings etc…

[@davidhatfield5714]

I just found you. I stopped because I to collect mens shirts! I get all mine at estate sales. On the last day when they are 1/2 price. Usually I pay $2. Because I’m patient and know it’s fun to treasure hunt these shirts..my price limit is $3. Our real difference in this collecting for me is %100 cotton only. For years I have wanted to make the 1000 pyramid quilt using plaids and checks! I find these hard to find in fabric stores, plus the weave is to loose, not a tight weave as in cotton. Yes it takes time to wash, cut up, remove buttons, iron and starch, but, the amount you save is really a lot. Quilting is expensive! So many are designer shirts, new even..so estate sales..hallelujah! I also find many other fabrics and sewing needs! (KH)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Estate sales, here I come! 🤩🤓😍 Thanks for the suggestion! And YAY, I'm glad you found me! Welcome!❤️

[@RobinHarris61]

Hi Cathy! Awesome video! One of my favorite things is dandelions. I LOVE your shirt!! The thrift store in our town has almost all men's shirts marked $4.98. A couple of times a year they have a bag sale. All the clothes you can stuff into a paper bag for a certain price. Those are the days I shop early and head straight for the men's shirts. Problem is, our town is so small, there's only one rack of men's shirts. But I usually find a few good ones. Thanks for you very informative and entertaining video. 😁❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Robin! ❤️ $4.98 is not a bad price for a yard of fabric 😘 but all the clothes you can stuff into a paper bag is AMAZING! 🤩

[@theresamitchel7056]

I think I would get along with your mom😉 She makes good cents(pun intended) I love me some savings! Wow a 5x must be 2.5 yards. Score! I have been using sheets for backing also a good deal for fabric in the thrift stores. Now if I could only find a good thrift for batting, man that is expensive, ideas or videos about that coming soon?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

No thoughts on batting, but I'll start brainstorming and we'll see what I come up with! 🤓😂When I get done breaking down that shirt, I might report back the total qty! I bet it's every bit of 2 yards! 🤩

[@deannesmith4979]

Love your prices here i have trouble getting shirts under $10 usually they are $10 and up. But i keep checking and watch for discounts.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

One of these days you'll stumble on an amazing sale and come home with an armload of gorgeous shirts! Just wait and see! ❤️

[@Texasmidwife]

I love your videos. They have great information and are very entertaining. (We also seem to have internalized the same movies, lol)

[@leeannlively]

Good morning Cathy, another wonderful show filled with lots of interesting information. Do you have a quilt pattern in mind yet for the linen shirts you are collecting?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Not yet!! I'm hoping it will "present itself" to me at the perfect time!! 😳🤞🏻😘

[@michelleevans7459]

I had to laugh- I always stain my shirt -especially if it’s white!!!! It “pays” to figure out the best deals at each thrift store and go on their special sale days. . My local one-of-a-kind store is $1 and occasionally 3/$1! Our area Goodwills have a weekly “sale” tag color that is half price(reg price is 4.99)… and two days week that color tag is $.99! I only look at sale color tags and save a ton of money.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Michelle, it DOES pay to find the special sale and discount days! ❤️🤩🤓

[@craftingwithlisamarie]

OMGosh! Thrifted men's shirts here on Long Island (NY) start at $12.99 and they are no where near your pretty finds. Mostly boring solid blues and whites in a poly-cotton blend 😝. I will have to ask when or if they have a 50% off day on clothing and hope that some fancy men with adventurous taste in clothing move into the area and donate some of their cute shirts. 😉🙃😁

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lisa Marie, that is crazy! 😱 You need to come to the South and go to one of our thrift stores...you will think you've died and gone to Heaven! 😂🤩😍

[@nicolebeauchamp7622]

Some beautiful fabrics there. Here in Australia we pay anywhere from around Au$20 a metre for fabric in the quilt shops. My local op shops are around AU$4 a shirt. Definitely worth looking in op shops for shirts to use as fabric. Apart from the environmental reasons.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It's a wonder anyone can afford to quilt in Australia at $20 a metre!! What the heck?!? But you're right, the environmental reasons are a good thing too!

[@thesitdownquilter]

Here in Canada we’re paying outrageous prices for fabric as well. We’re paying anywhere from $17-23 metre, depending on which shop you visit. Putting cost aside, I’m also concerned about sustainability. Every time I consider buying new fabric, I can’t help but think of the process it went through to get to the quilt shop and it’s effect on the environment. So, I’ve been digging into my stash that I’ve accumulated over the years and replenishing it with men’s shirts that catch my eye. I feel it’s a win win.

[@HeikeWoolard]

When you consider, though, AU$20 equals US$13.50 and CA$20 is about US$14.75, so the price difference in the yard/meter is minute.

[@daphnemitchell7817]

Thank you for sharing. I jumped in with both feet, one would say!Just last week I went an purchased 5 XL shirts from my local Goodwill. I t was so amazing! The feel of the different blends of cotton and the floral prints was very rare. But the ones I did find were not cotton or cotton blend but polyester. But they were nice looking! So I have decided to see if I can make a blanket out of these shirts. Do you recommend any videos I can watch because this will be my first project. You are truly inspiring me. Thanks😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Daphne! I do have a video on "cotton-poly" shirts that I recommend watching before you start, because it will help you know how to sew with your shirts! (And I have a whole "first quilt" video series that will walk you through each step of the process!)

[@angelamyers1201]

My husband puts on his sarcastic voice and says, "look how much I saved!" I counter that if I were going to buy something anyway, then I DID save. Maybe quilting fabric does not apply? I wish any of our thrift shops had half price days. But even at $5-7, thrifted shirts are worth the effort, especially for a unique fabric!

[@nevafitzgerald2402]

Good afternoon MS CATHY ! Just returned from the local goodwill holy 3xls today but I'm sorry no linens for you friend ! I bought 3 today just love our southern men ,they ARE NOT AFRAID TO WEAR COLOR! Could of bought more but didn't lol. What did you drink this morning lol ❤. I pay the same everyday all day long but I don't care because size3x shirts is a awesome buy !! I did find a pure silk one do ya want it ,I'll go back and get it ??

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

No silk for me, but thank you for thinking of me!! ❤️ Like you, sometimes I find WAY more than I actually bring home! I tell myself I need to use/quilt more before I buy more! 😱

[@claudette9784]

You mentioned in passing that one of the shirts would work in a quilt backing… would you consider doing a video on quilt backs? Maybe with a show and tell? I’ve been assuming that you use yardage for backing… but you must have some more tricks up your sleeve 😇

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Claudette, I have done pieced backings with shirts, pieced backings with yardage AND shirts, pieced backings with thrifted sheets, and backings with just yardage....but YES, I would definitely consider doing a video on quilt backs! Thank you for the suggestions! ❤️

[@joydalton4987]

So interesting Loved watching you

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Joy! ❤️

[@barbaraanne2136]

I love linen too but I haven't jumped on the shirt train yet. I'm close. But I live in Phoenix where there is a Last Chance store where they sell Nordstrum left overs and returns. I bought a couple of linen "Maxie" dresses there. They are still in the closet, but they are in my fabric "mind". I have a question: Do you make unbatted quilts out of the linen? What do you use for backing? I discovered Clear Care contact lense cleaner takes out blood better than anything. If you cut off the fiber content tag and pin it to the cut up shirt you don't have to write on it. But i write in the selvage on all my purchased fabrics the yardage. And pin a length and width measurement written on a scrap of fabric to my quilt tops. Binding length and backing size are easier.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Super smart ideas in this comment! 🤓Thanks for sharing! ❤️ and no, I haven’t made an unbatted linen quilt (at least not yet!) I do use 100% cotton batting tho, which seems to have that good breathability that linen has! 👍🏻

[@glynisreynolds446]

Gosh the powers that be obviously know how popular your videos are - there have been lots 😳 I’m really lucky at the moment because we have a ‘Everything is £1’ charity shop at the moment 🎉 so I’m not too bothered about what size the shirts are, I’ve been buying linen and linen/cotton shirts. I’m hoping the prices don’t go up anytime soon 🤞🤣🤣 Thanks for another great video - especially the fat quarter comparison 👍👍🇬🇧

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I wish we had an "Everything is $1" thrift store, Glynis! You lucky duck! 🤩 And you're welcome---it helps me when I'm shopping (and already have a pattern in mind) to be able to visualize how much fabric is in a shirt! 🤓

[@valerievesper9216]

Yes in my area it depends greatly on which thrift store you go to. Some of them start the shirts at $12-13. They will get marked down gradually if they don’t sell. But I’m not paying $12 for a yard plus of fabric that I still have to rip apart and some may be in odd sizes that I can’t use. So it does limit which thrift store I go to and which shirts I will buy.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I get that! At that price it would be easier just to buy yardage!! 😳🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

[@shelleydavies349]

In Canada, we buy by the metre which is 39 inches. Quilting cotton at my local store are approx $16 to $28 per metre. Most second hand stores range from $5 to $15 for a man’s shirt. Tough to find plain cotton within the price I would want to pay. Clearance fabric I got for $6 metre and was as cheap as I could find.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Shelley, I have to say I'm floored by how expensive fabric (and shirts!) are for you in Canada! What in the world?!? Time to make a trip down South so you can get some affordable second hand shirts!!

[@kathleenswan4184]

I’m also in Canada and I’m floored by the price difference in our fabric and thrift stores and yours.

[@casageorgia]

😊Kathy, two things. First, I wanted to congratulate you on reaching 10,000. I didn’t want to comment on the give-away video because I do not make traditional quilts (I make yoyo quilts.) and winning one of the beautiful fabric combinations would be wasted on me. Second, the other day when I was watching a show on Perspective-Fake or Fortune?, I immediately thought of you because of the beautiful floral print shirts that the man was wearing throughout the video. If you’d like to feast your eyes on those shirts, the video is entitled, “Couple Need Their Painting To Be Real To Avoid Bankruptcy/Fake or Fortune?/Perspective.” Love your videos!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Well aren't you sweet for saving the giveaway prizes for people would could really use them! 🥰 I will have to check out that video---you know I'm curious to see the beautiful floral print shirts the man wears! 😂🤓🤩

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Our Goodwill has increased their prices on shirts. I know I am not the only quilter in this part of the country who buys used men's shirts for my projects. So I'm not telling anyone where I find the lowest prices and best quality used shirts. However, I do take the collars, cuffs, sleeve plackets and button bands apart and use them in scrap quilts. I even save the buttons. Janet made two beautiful quilts out of used men's, flannel, plaid shirts. You can't buy beautiful, 100% cotton, solids, strips, polka dots, small print, or plaid shirting fabric by the yard in any fabric store around here (which includes Walmart). Yes, our Walmart still has a crafts Department that sells fabrics.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww, thank you, Kathleen! ❤️

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts My name is Arvetta Kay DeLashmit not Kathleen. Something is messed up. This is the second message that was not supposed to come to me.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

@@arvettadelashmit9337 oh goodness, I’m so sorry! 😱 Sometimes when I comment from my laptop it gets sent to the wrong person (user error I’m sure!) My apologies!❤️

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts I'm not very good at these things either. Third graders are better on computers than I.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

@@arvettadelashmit9337 lol!

[@pammeinzer6757]

Once again, you have not dissappointed me. Thank you for this information. I will keep your secret on how much you spend.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol! Thank you, Pam! ❤️

[@AvivaHadas]

pricing is very subjective, what is valuable to you - Linen, so you buy what they ask. Others find value in getting "any" shirt for the lowest price possible. I will pay more "per yard" for a fat 8th - because I value more variety that big cuts! (I used to be like your mom, it took a long time to get over that way of thinking about shopping.)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

So true! Value is VERY subjective!

[@AmandaIsAwesome]

$3.50 is great for a thrift store lol. Where I am in Canada nice linen shirts are $15 at the thrift store and fat quarters are $6 lol. Such beautiful fabric tho!!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Amanda that is CRAZY! How can anyone afford to quilt there?!?

[@AvivaHadas]

That floral goes in your lights. :o)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

lol. Yep! I need to just send it to you---it doesn't "match" anything in my stash! 😂😘

[@karencross1964]

Fabric here starts at $16 -$18/m. Midwest Canada. 👍👍For your channel

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Goodness! TOO MUCH! 😱 (and thanks!😉)

[@RigbythePuppy]

I paid 21$ a yard at a local quilt store recently! Another store tries to keep her prices around $16

[@karencross1964]

@@RigbythePuppy Oh yeah, $21 is pretty standard, depending on brand name

[@heidrunpineda7950]

Show how you break them apart

[@gonefishing3644]

Do you first prewash your new fabric from the quilt store when combining it in a project with fabric from washed shirts? You probably already addressed this in a video, but I must have missed this.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I don't! I just get that new fabric, press it, cut it and sew it up! So far, no problems with shrinkage or any pulling at the seams where it meets up with shirt fabric! 🤓👍🏻

[@gonefishing3644]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Thank you so much for the quick response. I have been collecting both vintage and new orphaned quilt blocks as well as an assortment of thrift shop cotton fabric remnants to make into 10 or 12-inch quilt as you go blocks. Your videos have inspired me to check out the men's shirt sections in my favorite thrift shops.

[@marshasetering3143]

Hi. I'm also a thrift store shopper. Love 100% cotton pillowcases. Have now been venturing into the men's shirts! I also found a huge shirt, however it was marked $19, and just couldn't do it...but did think of you. Keep shopping and I agree, men's shirts--yay! Just curious, what do you do with your buttons?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I love 100% cotton pillowcases too---so much more fabric in them than one might expect! As for my buttons, they are currently in a glass jar on my LR end table waiting for me to have some sort of creative inspiration! 🤓 Hasn't happened yet, tho! 😂

[@dedrasmitherman7983]

Team polka dot!! ❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I love this team! ❤️

[@kylierigby1953]

$12 a yard! Wow, we pay upward of $24-$32 a meter here in Aus! Give me $12 any day. Ours are double the wholesale value in full pricing. Still way off your pricing. Aahh, my stash would be the whole house!🤣🤣 Well, probably not, but I would be having so much fun swimming in fabrics 😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I can't even imagine $24-32--no wonder you guys have embraced the op-shop idea! Who can afford to quilt with fabric prices like that?!?😱

[@kylierigby1953]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Yes I know! I splashed out and got the kit for Tula Pink's Nebula quilt. $650 later! Over instalments, but it was a huge outlay. And I'm only a third done making it🙄. Another WIP. So now I am contemplating heading out to thrift some shops. 🤣.

[@nevafitzgerald2402]

Hey cath, how the eyelet lace quilt coming? I'm still reading directions lol🙆🙆

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It's coming...I'm now to the "sew the rows together" part...it is so big that it is quite an undertaking! 😳🤓 I'm trying to do it in bite-size pieces so that I don't get too bogged down! ❤️

[@mamakaka73]

Do you ever check women's shirts? They must have interesting fabrics as well...

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I do! But they have to be pretty large (or a wonderful print!) They are a pain to break down, though, because women's shirt often have darts and extra seaming and sometimes other decorative accents that are difficult to remove. It's usually not worth it to me because it's more time-consuming and provides much less fabric than the large men's shirts.