This quilt top has been waiting around for a while to be finished....
Most of the fabrics were from mens shirts (the black and white was a matching piece of fabric) ... all from the op shops....
I teamed it up with some proper purchased maroon fabric and made up the top... very simple blocks - just a rectangle with sides added on to make it square and placed next to each other facing different directions - effective and easy to do...
finished off with a plain black binding
finished off with a plain black binding
For the quilting I stitched in the ditch around all the blocks and sashing and then quilted a free form hooked scroll in the blocks....
.. the backing was from a $6 doona cover (I got 2 quilt backings out of that) - I loved the bold design on it....
When I first started quilting I was really struggling to pay for nice new fabrics but I knew I wanted to sew and experiment particularly with quilting so I bought quite a few bits from op shops... its a great way to make up reasonably cheap quilts for practice ....
This week I have made a start with the handwork for the Stitch-A-Long .....
the blanket stitch borders are quite fun to do and then I am going to needleturn the little appliques in the middle...
Righto, Gotto Go..... I am really looking forward to a cup of tea and a good sleep
Fiona your quilt is lovely and I would certainly never pick that they started life as shirts. Great start on your SAL blocks
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona your quilt looks awesome ,well done on a beautiful finish.I love your blocks this will be a fun sew along.xx
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh those squares are awesome...can't wait to see them finished. Love the quilt
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful quilt and I think the fabrics we use that are from old stashes or used clothing are more fun and more meaningful to make.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Your quilt turned out great! I made a quilt top from some shirts that dh was going to donate, and I love it. and I have enough squares to make another one, but I want to do something different. Your backing is perfect.
ReplyDeleteLuv your quilt, I've made quite a few I Spy quilts using this easy pattern!
ReplyDeleteI love that quilt! New Zealand Quilter magazine has interesting quilts made from Pacific fabric. Your little blocks are a bit of a change after that, aren't they!
ReplyDeletegreat finish with your shirt quilt! It looks great and the quilting finishes it beautifully. If you are going to practice it may as well be on a nice project.
ReplyDeleteI like the blanket stitch on your sal blocks. It's such a pretty project. Looking forward to following your progress on this one especially with your fabric choices-it's going to be gorgeous!
Great Man quilt, definitely a great practise quilt and one that can be used and not fretted over, love the idea of cutting up op shop finds!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great use of recycled fabric...making a quilt!
ReplyDeleteSometimes simple designs say it all... nice finish Fiona xox
The quilt is beautiful. Simple, but stunning. I'm waiting on my NJ. I've opted to go with the BOM. Should arrive any day now.
ReplyDeleteI like that quilt and the backing is great......I usually use a hoop for stitchery work and cut my squares out yesterday and then realized I don't have a hoop that small. I'll look for one tomorrow but my have to do the blanket stitch without a hoop. I traced all of the ones for January off today except the year.
ReplyDeleteMama Bear
Mama Bear...I'm holding off on the year too - seems a bit adventurous in february!!
DeleteGreat quilt...fabulous recycling...well done on getting a start on the SAL (I've put the pattern in a folder does that count as starting? *LOL*), I'm liking your cream/red combo already...
ReplyDeleteFantastic quilt....love the way you have made it and the quilting. Your little blocks are so cute!!
ReplyDeleteHello Fiona,
ReplyDeleteOh that quilt would suit a New Zealander male to the T. Have fun with your new quilt, just wonderding what the 2014 is for should that be 2015?
I read this morning an article about how much fabric gets thrown out in China each year, a huge waste of our resources. Keep up the op shopping.
Happy days.
Bev.
Your quilt looks great Fiona. Funny how those ugly Hawaiian shirts look fantastic as a quilt! I do apologise to anyone who loves wearing Hawaiian shirts if I have offended you! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWow, all those op-shirts look all new again in your quilt, Fiona!
ReplyDeleteAll the old guys (& those young bearded hipsters!) had better beware they don't lose their fashion to your scissors!!
Wow what a wonderful collection of Op-shop finds to make a fabulous quilt! Your stitch-along blocks are looking lovely :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE that quilt, Fiona! I have a collection of fabric from men's shirts, Hawaiian shirts, that are in my "someday" pile - might have to copy your idea!! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is great! I never find much of any use in the second hand shops here. I'd love to find shirting (pinstripes etc.) to make a quilt from. A friend's husband died and she gave my hubby a box of his shirts. He took it off to the free store and didn't even tell me about it.!!!
ReplyDeleteHow effective is your lovely quilt. You are so clever. Enjoy your cuppa and nap xx
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the quilt and very thrifty as well.
ReplyDeleteAvery thrifty, and it turned out really well too. Your start on the SAL is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat a striking quilt, you can get so much fabric from a shirt
ReplyDeleteDear Fiona,
ReplyDeletevery nice finish. I love the quilt with the shirt fabrics and the maroon sashings.
I knew right away the SAL project is perfect for you with all the stitching in it.
Your start looks very good, nice even embroidery stitches, will come out so beautiful.
Greetings,
Sylvia
The quilt looks amazing great start to your blocks xx
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt, great idea for sourcing materials too. If something is ready to be discarded I always look to see which bits can be salvedged even if its only buttons. xcx
ReplyDeleteFantastic Fiona...love that you have turned a Doona cover into backing..,great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of using op shop finds to experiment and practice your FMQ on, lovely finish and a lovely start to your new SAL projects :) Barb.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt with a nice masculine feel but not just for men. Of course your wonderful quilting makes it the treasure it is.
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever being able to machine quilt so beautifully. Great idea using a doona cover for backings and shirts for the quilt.
ReplyDeleteOh, Fiona, how clever! Love your hand work, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat finish on this lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteThe shirt fabrics have worked so well together. Lovely quilting as always.