Hi Cathy, I'm learning so much from you! Just love sitting and breaking down shirts with a hot cup of tea and watch your videos! As I mentioned before I'm new to quilting, but an old hand at thrifting lol. This is how I am storing my fabrics. I have a tote per quilt project. I have one for my daughter,(a goth - so all dark colours), my son (geometric patterns), and my 2 dear friends - (1. fall coloured plaids / 2. all purple colours). I break down each shirt as I buy them. I then iron them and fold them into 5" x 5" to store as a packet. Then I do the same with all the cuff, collar, pockets, yolks, and put them into baggies for storage. When I find a sheet/blanket to use in a project - that too goes into the specific project tote. I find that using this method is easy as I don't have to look through totes to find fabric. I also use the fused cuffs as a fabric swatchs by pining them together to take with me when I go thrifting. I hope this helps any one who is new like me
My broken down shirts are now stored in a flat tote, folded on end Marie Kondo style and grouped by color. I just love to open it up and say 'Ooooh, Ahhhhh' as the colors and prints jump out at me. When I'm out and about I can't help but notice (admire) men's shirts being worn and imagine how I would use that fabric in a quilt. Church on a summer day (no coats being worn) is like going to the fabric store. Help! I need an intervention. LOL
MaryBeth, I feel like my channel should come with a warning: Buying thrift store shirts to use as fabric may be addictive! I see awesome fabrics on men *everywhere* now---so you are not alone!
Hilarious!! In my previous life, I was a hairdresser and did the same thing when I sat behind people during the church service. Now I know I'm not the only one. lol
I love the shirts you’re getting rid of! It’s so hard for me to part with any fabric. I always use the excuse that might need it. I make so many scrap quilts so all fabric is good for that!😆 (Yes, I’m a fabric hoarder!) 😂
The only thing better than talking about quilt color theory and patterns is discussing how to store our fabrics. Love the topic today - and great idea to hang those shirts so you can see them. I always do better when I can actually “see” what I have on hand. Thanks, Cathy and Paul, for another lovely “Fun Friday Morning”.
You are fabulous, Karen Brown is fabulous, but the way I remember it, Bonnie K Hunter was the first to say, "if you don't like the fabric, cut it smaller." Trivia, and I could be wrong. Love your videos so much!
Thanks so much, caw! That is entirely possible---I have only heard Karen Brown say it in one of her many videos! (But I bet some pioneer woman in 1843 said the same thing to her daughters/friends/quilting bee---whatcha bet! 😂)
Glad that you have new storage space. In the midst of my caring for my dying father, my college graduate moved back home. My house is FULL! I haven't had time (or mental space) to deal with any of it. It is very frustrating, and has really impacted my creativity. I don't consider myself a super tidy person, but it is just overwhelming when there is fabric and STUFF everywhere. However, having my son here to help me with all of the other house things (cooking, groceries, housework) has been a Godsend during my grief. Your videos also bring me so much joy, I wanted to let you know that....
Sarah, I'm so sorry about your father---grief is so hard. And managing life while caring for a dying family member is truly overwhelming. Managing belongings, and a returning child, and illness, and Life, in general is hard. No wonder your creativity has been negatively impacted! 😱 It is hard to see these times as a "season" and not "the way it is now and forever"---I have faith for you that order will eventually be restored and your creativity will return; and hopefully soon. ❤️ Thank you for your comment and I'm glad the videos are bringing joy to you! 🥰
Thank you for your video Cathy. Anything that helps all of the fabric “collectors” in our quilting circle. We need all the help we can get. And totes are certainly our best option in most cases, but free closet space is heavenly! 🥰
I’m challenged too on how to store my fabric collection. Great ideas here. Food for thought. I find though that I love my fabric so much I’m loathe to use it. I rarely shop for a specific project preferring scrappy quilts…and then hold on to it thinking maybe I’d use it somewhere else. Loved the sneak peak…..looking forward to hearing more about it.
Somehow I missed this comment, Barbara! I think you're not alone in loving fabric so much that it causes resistance to cutting into it. But then again, how much more lovely and useful will it be in a quilt---it does require courage and commitment tho! 🤓 Thank you about the sneak peek quilt---you'll see more of it soon! ❤️
For me the most important thing is to see my fabrics. So I roll them on comic book cards and have little bolts standing in my bookshelf. So whenever a new project hits me, I can go through my stash and do a fabric pull. Fabrics I do not like any more so much sometimes go to the pieced backing of the quilt
You do realise that your daughter will be back at regular intervals and needing the closet space now being filled up with shirts and fabrics 🤣🤣 I actually love the shirts that you had left over - the colours are gorgeous 🤷♀️ but I do know what you mean about ‘space’ 😳 I saw several shirts on a charity shop adventure yesterday, and had to stop myself buying them as I haven’t the space to store them and they wouldn’t really go with anything that I already have 😢 Previously I would have bought them, especially the ones in the £1 shop 😢😢😢 I need to get some of my WIPs completed before buying any more 🤞😳 On a brighter note my blue and white chequerboard top is really coming on 👍 I’m no longer sewing the pieces together as leaders and enders, I’m just sewing them together whenever I NEED to sew. I’m absolutely loving it and I’m already planning my next shirt quilt, even though I’ve got many others to finish 🤣🤣 Thanks again to both of you 👏👏🇬🇧
Just realized I didn't really respond to this comment, Glynis! 😱 Yes, my baby will come home but she has 2 small closets and I only confiscated one of them so she will just have to make-do with the other! 😂 I'm excited for your blue and white checkerboard quilt---it is going to be so lovely! ❤️ Thanks, as always, for watching and commenting and being a great supporter of me and the channel! I'm lucky to have you along the journey with me! 🥰
Can you talk a bit about what's hanging behind you? Is that a quilt or just some fabric strips on a design wall? It looked at first glance like a giant abstract oil painting... Whatever it is, I like it!
Briefly, I will say that it is an experimental project that I'm doing---some of it is sewn (yellow, orange and red) and some are strips yet to be sewn (blues!) but soon, hopefully! And I can't tell you how excited I am that you described it as a giant abstract painting because that is the inspiration for it---and I will be doing a video on it (hopefully) pretty soon! And thank you! ❤️
I just made my very first thrift store XXL men’s shirt buy and I already have two quilts that they will go in. I was shocked how much fabrics I actually got from these shirts. Thank you.
Thank you for discussing all of this. Love seeing your stash. I cant wait to check back with you in 10 years. My stash is 2 walls. Floor to ceiling. One is california closets. Thst we put in for our daughter when she neesed more space. The other is totes. I seperate by color also. And shop in my stash. Trying to stop or slow down buying. Wish me luck. Hugs from Tampa.
I have a rule that I can not have more than 5 shirts that are not broken down lol. I find if I leave them too long and they pile up I have too much clutter which I can not stand. If they go in the "color wash quilt" (I'm still collecting fabric for....) I pick one piece, usually a sleeve (after breaking down the shirts) starch that piece for ironing, and then cut it into 2.5x2.5 - the other pieces are folded and go into a flat tote(28 Qt - about 5-6 inches tall) depending on color. They stack nicely and I can fit in SO many broken-down shirts. Yardage is stored by solids, neutrals, patterns, and by size. So under 1-yard/fat quarters/ bundles - 1-yard cuts and 1+-yard cuts, precuts (5x5 are one of my faves) - then scraps divided into strips and none-strips. I have a small area so all boxes are stacked and labeled. It mostly works for me.
Freddie, I'm impressed with your system! 🤓 And I should make a similar rule so that I don't get overrun with shirts---but first I better use up some of what I have. Maybe I need to use 5 shirts before I buy 1!😂
@@TheCatBirdQuilts I think most quilters make a system and then upgrade it as they go lol (because they run out of room or can't find things heheh) it's not perfect but it mostly works for me. breaking down the shirts has just become a habit. It's easier to see what I have when they are in my flat totes than in a pile lol
If it were me, I would keep the shirts, but that is because I buy fabric if I like it with no idea what project it will hopefully go in someday! If you don’t like the shirts, then I think it is an excellent idea to give them back before you have broken them down! Congrats on getting more storage!
Thanks, Julia! I sometimes buy shirts/fabric with no purpose, but just because I like them, but I'm having to be more choosy now because I'm getting overrun!!
I’m in the process of changing my stash storage again. It’s going to take me a month of Sundays to get it organized. I get distracted by all the pretties.
First of all, I no longer work..so I have more time for my treasure hunting of great bargain fabric. I have a very strict rule..do not buy more that I can care for in a weeks time. If I buy 4 shirts, they go home, straight to the washing machine. They get starched and ironed, hung in laundry room. I do not allow myself to buy more till those are broken down, folded and stored away. Same for fabric. Sometimes the fabric is not so fresh, but good, beautiful vintage cotton fabric. Am I limited on space, you bet! I find large totes, don’t work for me. I use small stackable containers. My closet spaces small. Lucky me, I inherited a large vintage chifferobe with shelves, that i use to store so much! I love to open those doors and just survey my beautiful stash, my art!❤ I just read this today “you can’t buy happiness but you can but fabric and that is pretty close” (KH)
My thrifting adventures take allot longer now! lol Found three shirts yesterday, one dark with a very tiny chicken foot like pattern but I think I'm going to wash and press that one and give it to my son! lol The other two are 2X, one being a white back with a very tiny pattern in blues and gold, the other a green and grey stripe. Guess what, hubs and I are going again on Saturday! lol I almost bought a linen shirt in the most intense lapis blue to make into a summer top for my daughter but it was a pretty bright blue for her so it stayed. As a quilter/sewist I find bins don't work for me. If I can't see it I don't know what I have. I built an extremely large storage shelf in our old house that I managed to move to our new house that I keep my quilt fabrics and rug hooking wools on. My fat quarters are in bins like yours but I don't keep the lids on them. The wool is most certainly sealed. For my sewing fabric I have shelves where I have them stored by content, weight and colour. When moving I found way too many duplicate purchases, now I don't. My goal is to purchase a few 12" book shelves with glass doors to put all my quilt fabrics on. I can fold them Marie Kondo style but see them at a glance. I'd love to get an old CD shelf for my fat quarter storage to get all of the quilt fabrics out of bins. My problem is I am a multi crafter/artist, too many with too little space! Maybe I just need to buy a new house with my own work shop outside of the house! lol
Once you add "men's shirts for fabric" to the thrift store shopping list, it DEFINITELY takes more time! But it SO worth it! 🤩 Sounds like you got some great stuff on your last thrift store run---and I imagine you had great luck when you went Saturday! At least I hope you did! ❤️ I often long for a new house with a workshop---but until that day, I guess I'll keep rethinking my space to make it work! 🤓😂
😂 my daughter is off at college too, but somehow that has in no way resulted in any empty closet space. My sewing room is the guest room and I store my fabric in a dresser that I also use as my cutting table. And in another chest of drawers in my home office next door. Trying to work through some of the stash before buying anything else!
It's amazing how fabric seems to find it's way into spaces not designated for them! It is constant work to keep my sewing stuff cordoned off into my sewing area.
I had to laugh when you said you had 63 shirts that need to be broken down. I currently have 3 totes full of shirts and four of jeans, all intact. And yes I'm more selective when I thrift now.
You should try to work on breaking them down when you're watching TV...unless that's not something you do. I find it VERY difficult to even watch a good movie without doing something else while it's on.
I have a special needs daughter who loves to breakdown anything. At first I was reluncant to let her use a seam ripper but she does great. I just have to make sure to find the seam ripper when she is done because she will just lay it down anywhere. I cannot keep up with her!
My daughter is also special needs but not comfortable with letting her have a seam ripper yet. She loves putting the buttons in the jar and will play with the broken down pieces of fabric for hours. 🙂
This was a great help! Thank you for talking us through the WHY of your system as well as the HOW. It is inspiring to keep the fabric stash organized so we are free to create more joyfully with what we already have!
I am so glad I came across your channel. I just love your way of speaking to your audience like we are there with you and how you are tickled by your own jokes!! I'm sitting here with five shirts that I've broken down with your method! I'd love to see a tutorial on making baby blankets!
Aww, thank you, Susan! ❤️ I'm so glad you came across my channel too! (and I DO crack myself up which is silly!) I do have one, multi-video tutorial on making a baby blanket using shirts; here's the playlist for it: ua-cam.com/play/PLC0YdaajnsHV2SVwWnMZLkypFhKcwHPCi.html&si=0qaV-8X3RV5qMvbV Was there a specific pattern for baby blankets that you were interested?
Sneak peek!?!?!! I hope and trust that you will have ALOT to say about it 💟 -now, with energy renewed by your thoughtful reorganization, I must cull and re-org my other crafting materials that are no longer in my Making queue for the near future, since I am currently working with sewing and embroidering. Thank you for sharing your honest assessment & process 💞
You have me hooked on dress shirts and pillowcases. My first haul, I bought 11. I challenged myself to break them down before I started a new quilt top. I'm about to finish. Then I go and bought 24 mens dress shirts yesterday at local salvation army .99 each. You have me addicted. Thank you😊😂😅❤. I got some gems, Egyptian cotton, combed Pima cotton, beautiful prints
My channel should come with a warning: buying mens thrift store shirts can be addictive! Because it IS! (and your $0.99 shirts is exciting and enviable--but I'm glad you got some great ones!! ❤️)
How fun to watch you curate your collection! I recently retired from my reading specialist job and had to clean out my closet in my studio. I found so much yarn that I had forgotten about and was able to get my non-yarn craft supplies onto the top shelf of my closet. It freed up a lot of space. I liked your Karen Brown quote. Coming up with a system for organizing your shirts and fabrics was a great exercise in creative problem-solving.
I have run up against that wall a number of times. Going thru the shelves of fabric and asking myself “is this fabric still speaking to me” has given me the freedom to let go of a number a pieces.
I struggle to let go of fabrics. Right now I am lost on Mount Scrapmore. I think the quote from Karen Brown came from her quoting Bonnie Hunter about cutting ugly fabric into smaller pieces.
I don't think I've been quilting long enough to have gotten overly attached to my fabric (but there's still time!😂) I don't know who said it originally, but I heard it in a Karen Brown video on what to do with "ugly fabrics!"
I love the shirts that didn’t work for the quilts you were working on! I make baby quilts for unwed mothers who are in need of baby things. Love your videos!
I didn't know men's paisley shirts were designer items! At the estate sale I went to, they had the shirts marked at $50 each. The men's suit jackets were also $50 each. I didn't buy anything. I came home and googled men's designer shirts and found quite a few designer logos I've never heard of. Got my education today! LOL
I love this AWESOME informative video!!! And this hit me like WOW! I’m de-stashing and reorganizing my sewing room because “some things just are not working”! I have 2 local sister quilters that are receiving the “de-stash” fabric and they both belong to a guild where they can share what they do not want. BUT when I saw those pink shirts I immediately thought ‘O Mylanta! Those would be so perfect in my pink quilt’! Sweet friend I love your organization techniques! One day I will show you a picture of my sewing room. ONLY after it is completely reorganized!
Cathy, how did you know I needed this video?? Lol. Two years ago I downsized and moved across country, getting rid of all my sewing supplies. Now that I'm settled in and reaccumulating stuff, I'm having to get creative in where to store everything. Thanks for such a great video.
I really appreciate your honesty with your buying/sorting/flinging! I have donated fabric (no longer my taste) to a group of women making “community quilts” that are donated to social services for children going into care. I love supporting initiatives like this. Have you considered breaking down shirts with a rotary cutter. You may lose some fabric, but it would free up so much time (which counts towards the cost of a quilt). XOX
Thank you, Anne! ❤️ And what a great idea to donate fabric to community quilt/donated quilt quilters! Genius! 🤓 I have, indeed, considered and actually broken down shirts with a rotary cutter and have thought about doing a companion video for the "How to break down shirts..." videos for people who aren't trying to salvage every bit of a shirt and just want to get the show on the road! 😊
Great idea. I am finding I need to cut my shirts down after I have them cleaned and pressed. I tried cutting down and folding the 4 main sections into a bundle and storing similar to your tote. It takes way to much room. Now I need to go back and cut them down into squares or strips and then my crumbs. As you mentioned the shirts are a lot of blues so I feel I won’t be to limited in pattern choices. I am storing my squares and strips so I can see the colors and not stacked. As you said stacking them you can’t see what you have. I am a work in progress. Enjoy your videos and. Am learning a lot.
I love your video.. And my favorite color is anything plaid. Those colors are great. Thanks for letting us know how you deal with your shirts and stash. I have been trying to get mine under control for the past year since our son has moved back in the house and has taken back his room and my fabric storage.
I think as our stash changes we have to re-evaluate our storage system. Especially if you happen to live in a small house and small area for crafting or increase the number of projects you are working on at one time.
Yes! Here is the playlist for all the videos that have completed quilts in them (we call them "Quilt Stories") ua-cam.com/play/PLC0YdaajnsHUAjXJmzWKBi_WJtHRiJch_.html&si=-UiDXZ31E0YLdkzI
Amber, it can definitely add up---I watch for sales and special tag days and also (when I go a lot) I know when things get marked down. And I'm pretty choosy now--I only spend a lot if it's for a project that I need that *perfect* shirt for!
Hi Cathy, I'm learning so much from you! Just love sitting and breaking down shirts with a hot cup of tea and watch your videos! As I mentioned before I'm new to quilting, but an old hand at thrifting lol. This is how I am storing my fabrics. I have a tote per quilt project. I have one for my daughter,(a goth - so all dark colours), my son (geometric patterns), and my 2 dear friends - (1. fall coloured plaids / 2. all purple colours). I break down each shirt as I buy them. I then iron them and fold them into 5" x 5" to store as a packet. Then I do the same with all the cuff, collar, pockets, yolks, and put them into baggies for storage. When I find a sheet/blanket to use in a project - that too goes into the specific project tote. I find that using this method is easy as I don't have to look through totes to find fabric. I also use the fused cuffs as a fabric swatchs by pining them together to take with me when I go thrifting. I hope this helps any one who is new like me
My broken down shirts are now stored in a flat tote, folded on end Marie Kondo style and grouped by color. I just love to open it up and say 'Ooooh, Ahhhhh' as the colors and prints jump out at me. When I'm out and about I can't help but notice (admire) men's shirts being worn and imagine how I would use that fabric in a quilt. Church on a summer day (no coats being worn) is like going to the fabric store. Help! I need an intervention. LOL
No, you don't need an intervention. You need to make a quilt, or three. LOL.
MaryBeth, I feel like my channel should come with a warning: Buying thrift store shirts to use as fabric may be addictive! I see awesome fabrics on men *everywhere* now---so you are not alone!
Hilarious!! In my previous life, I was a hairdresser and did the same thing when I sat behind people during the church service. Now I know I'm not the only one. lol
I love the shirts you’re getting rid of! It’s so hard for me to part with any fabric. I always use the excuse that might need it. I make so many scrap quilts so all fabric is good for that!😆 (Yes, I’m a fabric hoarder!) 😂
The only thing better than talking about quilt color theory and patterns is discussing how to store our fabrics. Love the topic today - and great idea to hang those shirts so you can see them. I always do better when I can actually “see” what I have on hand. Thanks, Cathy and Paul, for another lovely “Fun Friday Morning”.
Thanks, Peg! ❤️
Creativity is problem solving in addition to being messy and disordered. That's an awesome message.
Thank you, Roxanna! I do LOVE problem solving (obviously!) ❤️
You are fabulous, Karen Brown is fabulous, but the way I remember it, Bonnie K Hunter was the first to say, "if you don't like the fabric, cut it smaller." Trivia, and I could be wrong. Love your videos so much!
I had the same thought and think that Karen Brown gave Bonnie the credit for that saying as well, although I am not convinced that it is true, haha! 😂
Thanks so much, caw! That is entirely possible---I have only heard Karen Brown say it in one of her many videos! (But I bet some pioneer woman in 1843 said the same thing to her daughters/friends/quilting bee---whatcha bet! 😂)
Yes, was a helpful video. We all need reminders to get our ‘stuff’ in order to help keep those creative thoughts flowing.
Oh yay! I'm glad it was helpful for you!❤️
Glad that you have new storage space. In the midst of my caring for my dying father, my college graduate moved back home. My house is FULL! I haven't had time (or mental space) to deal with any of it. It is very frustrating, and has really impacted my creativity. I don't consider myself a super tidy person, but it is just overwhelming when there is fabric and STUFF everywhere. However, having my son here to help me with all of the other house things (cooking, groceries, housework) has been a Godsend during my grief. Your videos also bring me so much joy, I wanted to let you know that....
Sarah, I'm so sorry about your father---grief is so hard. And managing life while caring for a dying family member is truly overwhelming. Managing belongings, and a returning child, and illness, and Life, in general is hard. No wonder your creativity has been negatively impacted! 😱 It is hard to see these times as a "season" and not "the way it is now and forever"---I have faith for you that order will eventually be restored and your creativity will return; and hopefully soon. ❤️ Thank you for your comment and I'm glad the videos are bringing joy to you! 🥰
Thank you for your video Cathy. Anything that helps all of the fabric “collectors” in our quilting circle. We need all the help we can get. And totes are certainly our best option in most cases, but free closet space is heavenly! 🥰
We all do! And yes, free closet space---heavenly indeed!
I’m challenged too on how to store my fabric collection. Great ideas here. Food for thought. I find though that I love my fabric so much I’m loathe to use it. I rarely shop for a specific project preferring scrappy quilts…and then hold on to it thinking maybe I’d use it somewhere else. Loved the sneak peak…..looking forward to hearing more about it.
Somehow I missed this comment, Barbara! I think you're not alone in loving fabric so much that it causes resistance to cutting into it. But then again, how much more lovely and useful will it be in a quilt---it does require courage and commitment tho! 🤓 Thank you about the sneak peek quilt---you'll see more of it soon! ❤️
For me the most important thing is to see my fabrics. So I roll them on comic book cards and have little bolts standing in my bookshelf. So whenever a new project hits me, I can go through my stash and do a fabric pull.
Fabrics I do not like any more so much sometimes go to the pieced backing of the quilt
Our local quilt shop has an annual parking lot sale, where anyone can buy a space for $5 and sell unwanted fabric. I plan to check it out next month.
Fun!! I hope you get some great fabrics!
You do realise that your daughter will be back at regular intervals and needing the closet space now being filled up with shirts and fabrics 🤣🤣 I actually love the shirts that you had left over - the colours are gorgeous 🤷♀️ but I do know what you mean about ‘space’ 😳 I saw several shirts on a charity shop adventure yesterday, and had to stop myself buying them as I haven’t the space to store them and they wouldn’t really go with anything that I already have 😢 Previously I would have bought them, especially the ones in the £1 shop 😢😢😢 I need to get some of my WIPs completed before buying any more 🤞😳 On a brighter note my blue and white chequerboard top is really coming on 👍 I’m no longer sewing the pieces together as leaders and enders, I’m just sewing them together whenever I NEED to sew. I’m absolutely loving it and I’m already planning my next shirt quilt, even though I’ve got many others to finish 🤣🤣 Thanks again to both of you 👏👏🇬🇧
Just realized I didn't really respond to this comment, Glynis! 😱 Yes, my baby will come home but she has 2 small closets and I only confiscated one of them so she will just have to make-do with the other! 😂 I'm excited for your blue and white checkerboard quilt---it is going to be so lovely! ❤️ Thanks, as always, for watching and commenting and being a great supporter of me and the channel! I'm lucky to have you along the journey with me! 🥰
@@TheCatBirdQuilts you have LOTS of people like me 😃 We all are enjoying your videos and the inspiration you give us 👏👏🇬🇧
Can you talk a bit about what's hanging behind you? Is that a quilt or just some fabric strips on a design wall? It looked at first glance like a giant abstract oil painting... Whatever it is, I like it!
Briefly, I will say that it is an experimental project that I'm doing---some of it is sewn (yellow, orange and red) and some are strips yet to be sewn (blues!) but soon, hopefully! And I can't tell you how excited I am that you described it as a giant abstract painting because that is the inspiration for it---and I will be doing a video on it (hopefully) pretty soon! And thank you! ❤️
@@TheCatBirdQuilts Neato! It looks almost Rothko-esque ☺
@@pooie0116 that’s what I’m going for-so hooray! Mission accomplished!
Love what’s on the wall behind you!❤
Thank you, Nancy! ❤️ We're putting together a video on it as I type this!
I just made my very first thrift store XXL men’s shirt buy and I already have two quilts that they will go in. I was shocked how much fabrics I actually got from these shirts. Thank you.
How wonderful! It is shocking, isn’t it?!? (And addictive. But fun!🤓😊👍🏻)
Thank you for discussing all of this. Love seeing your stash. I cant wait to check back with you in 10 years. My stash is 2 walls. Floor to ceiling. One is california closets. Thst we put in for our daughter when she neesed more space. The other is totes. I seperate by color also. And shop in my stash. Trying to stop or slow down buying. Wish me luck. Hugs from Tampa.
Maybe 1 in and 5 out! 😊
Oooh @karenneiman856 that's great idea!
Laura--I'm jealous of your space a fabric stash!! But it is hard to keep from adding to it, no matter how small or big one's fabric stash is!
I have a rule that I can not have more than 5 shirts that are not broken down lol. I find if I leave them too long and they pile up I have too much clutter which I can not stand. If they go in the "color wash quilt" (I'm still collecting fabric for....) I pick one piece, usually a sleeve (after breaking down the shirts) starch that piece for ironing, and then cut it into 2.5x2.5 - the other pieces are folded and go into a flat tote(28 Qt - about 5-6 inches tall) depending on color. They stack nicely and I can fit in SO many broken-down shirts. Yardage is stored by solids, neutrals, patterns, and by size. So under 1-yard/fat quarters/ bundles - 1-yard cuts and 1+-yard cuts, precuts (5x5 are one of my faves) - then scraps divided into strips and none-strips. I have a small area so all boxes are stacked and labeled. It mostly works for me.
Wow, that is a very organized storage system. Good for you!!
Freddie, I'm impressed with your system! 🤓 And I should make a similar rule so that I don't get overrun with shirts---but first I better use up some of what I have. Maybe I need to use 5 shirts before I buy 1!😂
@@TheCatBirdQuilts I think most quilters make a system and then upgrade it as they go lol (because they run out of room or can't find things heheh) it's not perfect but it mostly works for me. breaking down the shirts has just become a habit. It's easier to see what I have when they are in my flat totes than in a pile lol
If it were me, I would keep the shirts, but that is because I buy fabric if I like it with no idea what project it will hopefully go in someday! If you don’t like the shirts, then I think it is an excellent idea to give them back before you have broken them down! Congrats on getting more storage!
Thanks, Julia! I sometimes buy shirts/fabric with no purpose, but just because I like them, but I'm having to be more choosy now because I'm getting overrun!!
I’m in the process of changing my stash storage again. It’s going to take me a month of Sundays to get it organized. I get distracted by all the pretties.
I love that phrase, "A month of Sundays!" I too, get distracted but I remember why I have it all in the first place! ❤️
@@TheCatBirdQuilts it was one of my grandmas sayings, she had a lot to say. I think it was the midwest Scandinavian in her. 😂
First of all, I no longer work..so I have more time for my treasure hunting of great bargain fabric. I have a very strict rule..do not buy more that I can care for in a weeks time. If I buy 4 shirts, they go home, straight to the washing machine. They get starched and ironed, hung in laundry room. I do not allow myself to buy more till those are broken down, folded and stored away. Same for fabric. Sometimes the fabric is not so fresh, but good, beautiful vintage cotton fabric. Am I limited on space, you bet! I find large totes, don’t work for me. I use small stackable containers. My closet spaces small. Lucky me, I inherited a large vintage chifferobe with shelves, that i use to store so much! I love to open those doors and just survey my beautiful stash, my art!❤ I just read this today “you can’t buy happiness but you can but fabric and that is pretty close” (KH)
Would like to see your quilts. Show us more of your quilts and their designs.
ua-cam.com/play/PLC0YdaajnsHXRnnhasGkQuqaQHAJDfeqA.html&si=kP3NHR3yOTRWCCuq
Here is a playlist full of videos that show all my completed quilts. ❤️
Cathy, thank you for this video. Could you please show us how do you break down the linen pants?
That is a great idea for a video! I'll put it in the old mental hopper for a future video! 🤓 Thanks for the suggestion! ❤️
My thrifting adventures take allot longer now! lol Found three shirts yesterday, one dark with a very tiny chicken foot like pattern but I think I'm going to wash and press that one and give it to my son! lol The other two are 2X, one being a white back with a very tiny pattern in blues and gold, the other a green and grey stripe. Guess what, hubs and I are going again on Saturday! lol I almost bought a linen shirt in the most intense lapis blue to make into a summer top for my daughter but it was a pretty bright blue for her so it stayed. As a quilter/sewist I find bins don't work for me. If I can't see it I don't know what I have. I built an extremely large storage shelf in our old house that I managed to move to our new house that I keep my quilt fabrics and rug hooking wools on. My fat quarters are in bins like yours but I don't keep the lids on them. The wool is most certainly sealed. For my sewing fabric I have shelves where I have them stored by content, weight and colour. When moving I found way too many duplicate purchases, now I don't. My goal is to purchase a few 12" book shelves with glass doors to put all my quilt fabrics on. I can fold them Marie Kondo style but see them at a glance. I'd love to get an old CD shelf for my fat quarter storage to get all of the quilt fabrics out of bins. My problem is I am a multi crafter/artist, too many with too little space! Maybe I just need to buy a new house with my own work shop outside of the house! lol
Once you add "men's shirts for fabric" to the thrift store shopping list, it DEFINITELY takes more time! But it SO worth it! 🤩 Sounds like you got some great stuff on your last thrift store run---and I imagine you had great luck when you went Saturday! At least I hope you did! ❤️ I often long for a new house with a workshop---but until that day, I guess I'll keep rethinking my space to make it work! 🤓😂
I never thought I would hear the phrase “tote of linen” in my lifetime?,😊
Lol, right?!
😂 my daughter is off at college too, but somehow that has in no way resulted in any empty closet space. My sewing room is the guest room and I store my fabric in a dresser that I also use as my cutting table. And in another chest of drawers in my home office next door. Trying to work through some of the stash before buying anything else!
It's amazing how fabric seems to find it's way into spaces not designated for them! It is constant work to keep my sewing stuff cordoned off into my sewing area.
Oooh, I'll trade you 12 blue (or any other color of your choice) shirts for those 6 shirts you have no use for.
Deal! Give me a few weeks and we can talk trade! 🤓
@@TheCatBirdQuilts I'll send you an email you can respond to.
I had to laugh when you said you had 63 shirts that need to be broken down. I currently have 3 totes full of shirts and four of jeans, all intact. And yes I'm more selective when I thrift now.
You should try to work on breaking them down when you're watching TV...unless that's not something you do. I find it VERY difficult to even watch a good movie without doing something else while it's on.
@@ladyjane3660 I work on them during the winter and I often have a movie, series or audiobook playing while I do it. 🙂
me too, ladyjane! ❤️ I get restless without some kind of handiwork!
Ahh winter. I'm ready for it! (and I get more tasks like shirt breakdown done then too!)
Ok, I laughed at your laughing and needing to be selective at the thrift store! Kindred spirits!
I have a special needs daughter who loves to breakdown anything. At first I was reluncant to let her use a seam ripper but she does great. I just have to make sure to find the seam ripper when she is done because she will just lay it down anywhere. I cannot keep up with her!
My daughter is also special needs but not comfortable with letting her have a seam ripper yet. She loves putting the buttons in the jar and will play with the broken down pieces of fabric for hours. 🙂
That is so wonderful! And sweet 🥰 And I laughed about her leaving it anywhere! 😄
I wish I could sit down with her and put buttons in jars, too. I think it would be relaxing and joyful. ❤️
This was a great help! Thank you for talking us through the WHY of your system as well as the HOW. It is inspiring to keep the fabric stash organized so we are free to create more joyfully with what we already have!
Julieanne, I'm so glad this one was helpful for you!❤️
I am so glad I came across your channel. I just love your way of speaking to your audience like we are there with you and how you are tickled by your own jokes!! I'm sitting here with five shirts that I've broken down with your method! I'd love to see a tutorial on making baby blankets!
Aww, thank you, Susan! ❤️ I'm so glad you came across my channel too! (and I DO crack myself up which is silly!) I do have one, multi-video tutorial on making a baby blanket using shirts; here's the playlist for it:
ua-cam.com/play/PLC0YdaajnsHV2SVwWnMZLkypFhKcwHPCi.html&si=0qaV-8X3RV5qMvbV
Was there a specific pattern for baby blankets that you were interested?
Ooooh can’t wait to see this one!!!
❤️
Sneak peek!?!?!! I hope and trust that you will have ALOT to say about it 💟
-now, with energy renewed by your thoughtful reorganization, I must cull and re-org my other crafting materials that are no longer in my Making queue for the near future, since I am currently working with sewing and embroidering.
Thank you for sharing your honest assessment & process 💞
Linda, you KNOW I will have a lot to say about it! Always! 😂😘
You have me hooked on dress shirts and pillowcases. My first haul, I bought 11. I challenged myself to break them down before I started a new quilt top. I'm about to finish. Then I go and bought 24 mens dress shirts yesterday at local salvation army .99 each. You have me addicted. Thank you😊😂😅❤. I got some gems, Egyptian cotton, combed Pima cotton, beautiful prints
I wish those were the prices at thrift stores in my area!
My channel should come with a warning: buying mens thrift store shirts can be addictive! Because it IS! (and your $0.99 shirts is exciting and enviable--but I'm glad you got some great ones!! ❤️)
How fun to watch you curate your collection! I recently retired from my reading specialist job and had to clean out my closet in my studio. I found so much yarn that I had forgotten about and was able to get my non-yarn craft supplies onto the top shelf of my closet. It freed up a lot of space. I liked your Karen Brown quote. Coming up with a system for organizing your shirts and fabrics was a great exercise in creative problem-solving.
Thank you, Beth! ❤️
I have run up against that wall a number of times. Going thru the shelves of fabric and asking myself “is this fabric still speaking to me” has given me the freedom to let go of a number a pieces.
It IS very freeing to let go of the the things that no longer give us joy or speak to us creatively!❤️
I struggle to let go of fabrics. Right now I am lost on Mount Scrapmore. I think the quote from Karen Brown came from her quoting Bonnie Hunter about cutting ugly fabric into smaller pieces.
I don't think I've been quilting long enough to have gotten overly attached to my fabric (but there's still time!😂) I don't know who said it originally, but I heard it in a Karen Brown video on what to do with "ugly fabrics!"
I love the shirts that didn’t work for the quilts you were working on! I make baby quilts for unwed mothers who are in need of baby things. Love your videos!
Thank you, Cynthia! ❤️ I am sure they will be lovely for someone else, but they just aren't working for me!
I didn't know men's paisley shirts were designer items! At the estate sale I went to, they had the shirts marked at $50 each. The men's suit jackets were also $50 each. I didn't buy anything. I came home and googled men's designer shirts and found quite a few designer logos I've never heard of. Got my education today! LOL
I didn't know that either! 😱
I love this AWESOME informative video!!! And this hit me like WOW! I’m de-stashing and reorganizing my sewing room because “some things just are not working”! I have 2 local sister quilters that are receiving the “de-stash” fabric and they both belong to a guild where they can share what they do not want. BUT when I saw those pink shirts I immediately thought ‘O Mylanta! Those would be so perfect in my pink quilt’! Sweet friend I love your organization techniques! One day I will show you a picture of my sewing room. ONLY after it is completely reorganized!
Christina, you can show me your sewing room ANY time---I won't judge! ❤️ I'm glad you found this video helpful! 🤓
Great information! I have an empty-ish closet!! I haven’t considered using it, but now…😀 Thanks!
Dedra- "empty-ish"---it's all we need, isn't it?! 🤩😍
Cathy, how did you know I needed this video?? Lol. Two years ago I downsized and moved across country, getting rid of all my sewing supplies. Now that I'm settled in and reaccumulating stuff, I'm having to get creative in where to store everything. Thanks for such a great video.
I'm glad it was what you needed, Jody! ❤️ Downsizing and moving is SUCH a process and learning how to live in a smaller space is a. whole. thing!
Wow! What a great dress! Is it vintage? Love it. My Friday morning wake-up call. And so coordinated with the backdrop quilt.
Thank you, Diane! It isn't vintage but it looks like it, doesn't it?! I think I got it in 2009, so I've had it a hot minute!!
Great tips! I'm just getting started on buying shirts for quilting so this is very helpful as I go forward. Thanks !!!
You're welcome! And thank you, Betty! ❤️
Live from the uk 😊
I really appreciate your honesty with your buying/sorting/flinging! I have donated fabric (no longer my taste) to a group of women making “community quilts” that are donated to social services for children going into care. I love supporting initiatives like this. Have you considered breaking down shirts with a rotary cutter. You may lose some fabric, but it would free up so much time (which counts towards the cost of a quilt). XOX
Thank you, Anne! ❤️ And what a great idea to donate fabric to community quilt/donated quilt quilters! Genius! 🤓 I have, indeed, considered and actually broken down shirts with a rotary cutter and have thought about doing a companion video for the "How to break down shirts..." videos for people who aren't trying to salvage every bit of a shirt and just want to get the show on the road! 😊
@@TheCatBirdQuilts XOX
Great idea. I am finding I need to cut my shirts down after I have them cleaned and pressed. I tried cutting down and folding the 4 main sections into a bundle and storing similar to your tote. It takes way to much room. Now I need to go back and cut them down into squares or strips and then my crumbs. As you mentioned the shirts are a lot of blues so I feel I won’t be to limited in pattern choices. I am storing my squares and strips so I can see the colors and not stacked. As you said stacking them you can’t see what you have. I am a work in progress. Enjoy your videos and. Am learning a lot.
Connie, I'm a work in progress, too! I'm so glad you are enjoying the videos and learning from them! ❤️
I love your video.. And my favorite color is anything plaid. Those colors are great. Thanks for letting us know how you deal with your shirts and stash. I have been trying to get mine under control for the past year since our son has moved back in the house and has taken back his room and my fabric storage.
My favorite color is anything plaid, too! 😂 (actually it's red! lol!) It's such a struggle to find a good system when you don't have enough space!
I think as our stash changes we have to re-evaluate our storage system. Especially if you happen to live in a small house and small area for crafting or increase the number of projects you are working on at one time.
Absolutely! I wish there was one, perfect one though! 😉
Do you have any videos showing the quilts you have made? I don't seem to see the finished ones. I probably miss them but would like to see them.
Yes! Here is the playlist for all the videos that have completed quilts in them (we call them "Quilt Stories")
ua-cam.com/play/PLC0YdaajnsHUAjXJmzWKBi_WJtHRiJch_.html&si=-UiDXZ31E0YLdkzI
Went to good will and bought $100 of used shirts for $8 to $11. Each..
We have enough for a beautiful quilt now.. but expensive..
Amber, it can definitely add up---I watch for sales and special tag days and also (when I go a lot) I know when things get marked down. And I'm pretty choosy now--I only spend a lot if it's for a project that I need that *perfect* shirt for!
What is the quilt behind you 🤔
Glynis---a new experimental project! Hoping to do a video about it in the next few weeks!
It did rather look like a fabric pull there at the end for a blue and pink baby/kid quilt….
It did! 🤩
Do you linen/cotton blend?
Yes! It's really great because you get the best of both fabrics!
Cool. Thank you for info.