Photos of camera bag construction (and pattern) are on now my Patreon page---available to everyone, not just patrons! 🤓👍🏻www.patreon.com/posts/camera-bag-93343893
I helped my daughter make her first quilt for her friend who was expecting her first baby.She chose a batik print that was navy, sky blue and a soft yellow- which happened to be the colours of the curtains in the baby's bedroom. The new Mom lost her Dad suddenly at the beginning of her pregnancy- before she found out she was expecting. My daughter asked her friends' sister for an old pair of jeans for each family member on the Mom's side, including her Dad's❣️. The quilt pattern was fairly simple, and we used alternating denim, and cotton print. The cotton squares were hand quilted, and the denim squares were "tied", as the denim was too thick for hand quilting. On the back of the quilt, my daughter embroidered " Carrying on the Underhill Jeans" ( Underhill being the Mommy's maiden name). We incorporated some of the pockets from the jeans so we could include a little teddy bear in one- and a pacifier in another.
I love, love, love that you "have a lot to say"! I learn something from every segment of yours. It sometimes can be something simple to "oh my gosh!". And then I get to read the comments and learn even more*** bonus, thanks everybody for sharing ❤❤
Thank so much, Jean! ❤️ And yes, thanks to everyone for sharing---we have a wonderful sewing/quilting community here on my channel---lots of wisdom and experience from which we ALL benefit! 🤓
I’m 66 and I was a Candy Striper. The little outfits were cute, but expensive for my family at the time. My industrious mother found red & white striped fabric to make mine. 🥰
Mom-mom used the wool suit samples from the men’s store and heavy cotton flannel for quilts. We only had wood stove heating so bedrooms were unheated. In the 1970s I had one of mom-mom’s quilts and sometimes a wool army blanket on my bed in the winter and a quilt made of doubleknit over the window. You can make a quilt with anything.
Isn’t that the truth?! My grandmother made blankets and quilts out of everything too, including that double knit polyester! Not soft, but super warm! 🤓😉
I have been extremely lucky this year with linen from thrift stores. I found 2 new high end linen robes at the same store but 2 different days. I paid $8 for one & $3.50 for the other one because it was 1/2 off that day & marked $7! I kept one to wear & gave the other to a friend. I wore mine on vacation & it was fabulous. It felt so good! My friend loves hers to wear coming out of the hot tub! I found an IKEA duvet cover for about $12, 2 queen sheets for $6 each all 100% linen! Yesterday I found 2 new xxl ladies tops in gorgeous royal & kelley green. These are just some of my finds. I could go on! I love the feel of linen & from some of the linen blend pants I made some wash cloths & makeup removing pads. Excellent idea as my friend loved hers & asked for more! I made some for her dad & sister along with a wash bag for them! The washing mitts I made are amazing! They suds up really nice. Now I’m making bath towels for Christmas from linen fabric I ordered. Awesome!
Hi from South Africa 🇿🇦 great video. I've ripped all my husband's old unused pants and shirts and quilted with them. I must say I do discard the tops of the pants and reuse the zips. To me it's so awesome to reuse and now I have a wonderful quilt and more on the way🎉 Oh I also wanted to say (me editing my comment here) I ripped pants like jeans and old (not so nice) pants and crocheted beautiful rugs. They are absolutely beautiful and amazing.
Hi Lee! Thank you so much! ❤️ I love the idea of crocheting jeans and old pants into rugs! So clever! 🤓 And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out here quilting with pants! 🤩
One consideration when using jeans is the thickness of the seams as you sew a quilt. Thick intersecting seams can reek havoc on your sewing machine needles (bending, breaking, etc.) as well as mess up the timing of the machine. I find that an older heavier sewing machine does a better job of sewing those thick seams vs the newer lighter weight machines. Pressing seams open helps with the bulk. Just be aware and be careful. Great video, Cathy. Sew very helpful, as always. Happy thanksgiving to you, Paul and the girls!
Such great advice, my friend! 🤓❤️ As a long-time sewist and longarm quilter, I know you learned this from experience! Thanks for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving back to you and yours! ❤️
I'm currently working on memory quilts for my daughters (and their families) made from their fathers jeans and cotton/flannel shirts. Using circles of the jeans and the square in the center of each circle. The quilts are heavy duty and will be great to use in their outdoor adventures and take thoughts of their dad along for fun.
Photos of camera bag construction (and pattern) are on now my Patreon page---available to everyone, not just patrons! 🤓👍🏻 @margan59 @jeanettewithrow9641 @sallyward9218 Link to Patreon is in the description box of the video! 😘
I made a memory quilt for a friend that lost her father. She brought me all his flannel plaid shirts. I made up a variety star quilt. I often used the pocket area as the center square of the star. She absolutely loved it. I also incorporated little tags or labels making very organic. I also have made bags with shirts and pants using the pockets. I think it’s a great use of fabric making some fun usable focus area. As always you continue to inspire us, thinking outside the box! ❤
I've used the jeans from our family to make a quilt. It's a little harder to make, but I liked the result with a the different schades of blue. I'm now hoarding the black-gray jeans for making a quilted coat
Anja, I've thought about keeping our family's worn out jeans for that same purpose! Glad to know you like the result! And a black/gray quilted coat sounds awesome! 🤩🤓❤️
Thank you so much for this information. My Husband wears jeans for work. When they are faded I cut them up so I have a huge pile of denim. Hopefully I will get to use it soon. ✌🏻♥️
I just wanted to say thank you for permitting me to cut off seams. All these years before I've started to watch your videos, I used to unpeack all seam, stitch by stitch, wasting time 🫣 And then, boom, Cathy says "cut it off", OMG. 🎉🎉🎉 Is anyone like me around here? 😂😂😂
Lana, I laughed at this!😂 It's so true, tho---it takes SO MUCH TIME and really doesn't yield that much fabric in the end. And having someone give us permission to shortcut it is freeing, isn't it?! ❤️
Wow! Who knew...pants with button, zipper, belt and belt loops AND, draw strings! 😂 I'm still playing with shirts, pillowcases and various linens. Fun video. Thanks!
When using Linen pants and breaking them down, I leave the hem in. Whenever I decide to use the fabric, it is easier to see which side of the Linen is the right side of the fabric, which can be a challenge. My son's favorite quilt is the jeans backing quilt. I didn't have to add batting, as the jeans + quilting cotton on top was heavy enough for his warmer climate. I just found a 44" pair of thifted men's jeans that I am using for mug rug backings for Christmas presents for all the men in the family. Using men's shirts for the top of the mug rugs. At the thrift store, I always start at the plus sizes (men's & women's), where I can find pants with LOADS of fabric. If you QAYG with jeans backing, use quilting cotton for the adjoining strips, which lessens the bulk of those big jeans seams. I LOVE making jean backed quilts for gifts - they make sturdy picnic/beach quilts. You can find a lot of "State Farm" khaki color pants in thrift stores. Glad that you addressed the gross aspect of pajama pants. LOL
I left the hem in linen pants & used them to make wash mitts. I reinforced the hem with a straight stitch. I made the mitt with French seams & they are wonderful! The hem saved steps!
Debbie, that is a great idea to leave the hem on to identify the right side, thanks! I was gifted a box of old jeans but am concerned about what kind of backing to put on a denim quilt that will hold up under the weight and wear and tear during washing. Can I ask what your experience has been? Would flannel be tough enough? Thanks!
Debbie, this comment is full of WONDERFUL suggestions! Thank you so much for sharing! ❤️ I too, like the idea of jeans-backed quilt--so sturdy and yes would be GREAT for picnic/beach quilts. And yes, you know I can't talk about pj pants and not cover the "gross aspect"---maybe too much candor for some, but I don't want to ignore a very real part of it! 😂
My son's jean quilt had only 2 layers: top quilting cottons, bottom denim, no batting. Denim quilts are really heavy from the denim fabric alone. A quality flannel would hold up better than the cheap flannels that pill and shrink easily. @@karenneiman856
@annelefevre9457 Hi Anne. There are multiple reasons to use clothing for quilting. It can be practical to recycle fabric and re-use it. After all, that is in the DNA origins of quilting. It can also be sentimental, using a loved one's clothes for making a memory quilt. It is also zeconomical. Here in Canada, fabric is just stupid expensive. Buying clothing to use in quilting is the best way I can use my money to build a stash that otherwise I would not have. (So many blue plaid shirts, LOL) I also examine sheets, pillow cases, and curtains at thrift shops. And it is fun! To come home with bargain is thrilling for me. I hope this helps you understand the many reasons for clothing in quilting. This was a good presentation, Kathy. And the editor had many fun graphics. Well done, team. Greetings from Vancouver Island British Columbia, Canada.
😂I was a candy striper in highschool in the early 70's. We delivered meals and kept water glasses filled and sometimes just visited with patients. Also, I split my pants right at the center. That way you have two very large pieces with a seam down the center. But, it's for quilts, which are pieced anyway. 😁
Could you please explain why you split the pants down the center (which gave me a different picture in my mind when I first read it, haha)? I have never thought of doing it that way and am interested in learning about the benefits/pros and cons. Thanks!
@@karenneiman856 I found that I can get really large pieces of fabric when I split them that way. We sew pieces together anyway. So I just use the manufacturer seams. It really gives much more options for larger or longer pieces.☺️
Cathy, the quilt behind you is just beautiful in color and design. Can't wait to see it featured one day. Wishing you and your beautiful family a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you and your channel that provides so many of us with great creative content but also friendship in this special community.
The Candystriper reference was not lost on me! In High School (early 80s) I volunteered in our local hospital wearing a "jumper" of the candystripe fabric.❤ Hope to see what you make with those fun pajama pants someday.😉
Giselle, I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers! 🤓😊 I have used that pink stripe in my postage stamp pink mug rugs, but I want to find a better use for it (since I have so much of it!)
I recently moved from Texas with a dozen quilt stores in close proximity to rural Georgia with no close quilt stores. There are several thrift stores nearby . So my fabric will now be acquired by thrifting. Thank you so much for all the information I have gotten from your videos. I will now add pants to my shopping list!😊
Well I hate that you've lost your easy access to quilt stores, but I'm glad to offer thrift stores as a solution! May you find the loveliest fabric ever in repurposed shirts! ❤️
I was a Candy Striper at the pediatric hospital in my home town when I was 17. The pj bottoms definitely remind me of the “uniform” we wore. They are now called “volunteers”, probably to be more inclusive of all the men that choose to give of their time too.
I so look forward to Friday morning’s with The CatBird!!! I have found several pairs of linen pants - men & women - and I’m like you in that that waist just MUST GO! If pockets are the same fabric I save but if they only have a small portion in the linen then out they go into the scrap bin. I am so thrilled that you did this video because I’m getting ready to start memory quilts for my girls (3) of their dad’s pants and shirts. He is still alive and kicking but I want them to be done for when he isn’t! Nothing like getting ahead of the game! BTW Pink stripe pajama pants - LOVE! 💗 You Rock Sister!
Awesome video as always :) Another con with pants is the added "stretch" to the fabrics (spandex or elastane) it can make it hard to match pieces. Found that out the hard way lol. I always check no for those and skip if there is any stretch to the fabric.
This made me smile. In the uk 'pants' = underwear. Just as well my niece's hubby is from US & has educated me in the differences in our words definitions. 😊
Looks like you have managed to find enough linen to get your quilt finished 👍 That’s great 🎉 Can’t wait to see it finished 🤔😃 Thanks for the video - our inspiration for this week 👏👏🇬🇧
Cathy, I was wondering about how one might break down thrift store pants too. I don't find pajamas in my local thrift stores. These seem to be underwear-free zones. Love the linen you have found and used. Fun story about Candy Stripers. My older sister was a Candy Striper and enjoyed it. I thought I might like it too. I went to an informational meeting for interested girls. I was in sync with the program until they said we would have to have short hair. Immediate deal-breaker. At the time, I wanted to have Joan Baez hair and was trying to grow it long. I just wasn't that community-minded.
I was a candy striper in the early 1990s! 😂 I interacted with patients for ONE day before I asked if they had anything in the office available. Lol! They assigned me to the Education Dept and I loved it!
I recently broke down 8 pairs of my son’s denim shorts…urban-style with wide & long legs. I plan to use them in a quilt for my grandson & his parents to use outside. Each leg will yield at least a 12 x 20 piece of fabric, including pockets. I’m excited to get this one done. Yes, another WIP.
I've long thought that denim pants (and thick twill, too) would make an excellent outdoor quilt! Great minds think alike! 🤓 And yes, there's always another WIP for me, too. 😘
Good morning from the Rocky Mountains region of Montana, USA. Thanks for all the insights about using pants as a fabric source for quilting and sewing projects. I think the quantity of linen pants in use is a regional thing. We lived in the Birmingham metro area for over a decade. Lots of linen clothing there, since it’s so very comfortable in the heat and humidity of a Southern USA summer. Less linen clothing here in Montana with the more moderate summer temperatures and lower humidity. However, we do love cotton (and cotton blend) fabrics for our summer clothes.
And I bet you have a TON of flannel shirt in your thrift stores-am I right? Ps I didn’t know you lived in Birmingham for so long-what took you away? (Or maybe what brought you here to begin with?)
@@TheCatBirdQuilts Yes, there are lots of flannel shirts here. My husband’s family is from the Birmingham area. My family is from Montana. The dynamics of aging take us places. 🌻
Quite agree. I've found new cotton mens boxers or pyjamas with tags that have never been worn, at selective charity shops which I suspect may have been unwanted gifts. If in doubt I give them a miss. And washing them is essential. I preserve pockets too and have added them to quilts that might be used for picnic blankets for keys, phones, or for someone with memory loss to keep items nearby. Or how about for a person snuggling under their quilt feeling unwell, ideal for tissues, inhaler, vapour rub etc. That camera bag looks very professional.
I have to comment. In the late 70's my dad was stationed over seas in the air force and I was a candy striper! Trying to explain that to people that dont know what it is is difficult, yes a teenager dressed in a smock wheeling books around to men in a hospital ward, GI's... oh I learned so much in those years lol In other news... I went on my first shirt thifting adventure. I just keep saying, blue and white blue and white and yes I came home with some blue and white shirts (one GORGEOUS Pure white Christian Dior for 1.86). Thought of you when I spied the most gorgeous fusia shirt and a purple, hahah not blue or white, got them though. :)
I’ve been using jeans for years. Started years ago when my husband said “I’ve split the crotch on all these jeans but they look so cool…can you do something with them”. 😂 My sister and I have been collecting the jeans from the men in our family for years and have made sooo many denim quilts. You can get a surprising amount of fabric and depending on your definition of large squares, you can get a lot of those are well. I think the largest I’ve gotten are 8-9”, but I typically use 5-6”. And then there’s usually pieces that you can get other sizes as well (I never go smaller than 4”). Then I just back with flannel (no batting). They are perfect for picnics and hayrides and bonfires…
Lovely video again. I made two quilts from jeans till now. one was a rag quilt with the jeans fabric on the back and flowery cotton fabric on the front. Was a good and unexpected match. The second one was with the cobble stone pattern. So "bricks" of jeans fabric and other thicker fabric combined with narrow cotton strips to a brickwall (put on an angle for more interest). Since I quilted every brick I do not fear much pulling when washed. I think the tread bare is the biggest issue to wath out for but thats true for any repurposed fabric. Give the fabric a good pull and see if anything ripps, then cut around that area (or incorpoare it for fancy sashiko stitching or similar :)).
Thanks, Julia! ❤️ Love the suggestions in your comment--watching out for threadbare parts, tugging to check for weak spots, and sashiko stitching! 😍 And I bet your jeans quilts were amazing! 🤓👍🏻
I just broke down an old pair of my pants. The area mentioned for being susceptible to being threadbare had indeed become so threadbare that the seam had failed. When I was cutting them apart, I cut out that area. They were also cargo pants, so I saved both the back and side pockets for future use.
Hello C & P. I found my first Denim & Flower shirt yesterday, Score!!! I was sew excited. I kept looking on the racks, sliding the hangers like you do, lol. I found a total of 5, 4 short and 1 long sleeve. Just an idea...you might consider entering your orange peel quilt into Quilt Con 2025. It looks beautiful behind you on the wall. I really love the colors!! Many Blessings to you and yours and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Leann, that's so exciting! 🤩 I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! And as for the orange peel quilt--I guess we'll see! But my taste for quilt competitions may change depending on how this year goes! 😂😱🤷🏻♀️ Many blessings in return and Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
I’d love to learn how to make the camera bag! You always have such great ideas for breaking down clothing for quilt fabric. My slim husband was rather confused that I came home with 4 really large men’s shirts from the thrift store. Had to explain it was for my fabric projects.
Great video. My husbands grandmother made a denim quilt out of old jeans but mixed in some men’s work pants in khaki. Unfortunately, 70 yrs later the dickies are all threadbare while the denim is as good as the day they were sewn into the quilt. It’s sad that it keeps us from being able to use the quilt.
Thank you, Sherry! ❤️ And how about your husband's grandmothers quilt! I would never have guessed that the Dickie's wouldn't hold up as well as the jeans!
Hi Cathy, I'm not able to locate the link to...is it 'Don Kim'?... I regularly use shirts and jeans in projects, is love to see another creative mind like yours, thanks!
I never bought a pair of pants to deconstruct, but now it's an idea. I have cut the pockets out to use in the prison ministry quilts im making. In AZ and thrifting right now. But haven't bought any shirts or pants, because i dont have the suitcase space to take them home. Darn!
Diann--you know I am always willing to try almost any fabric from the thrift store in quilting! 😂 I wouldn't even go in a thrift store if I didn't have the suitcase room to add purchases---because that's when you find everything your heart desires, and then be heartbroken to have to leave it in the shop!
Yes---cotton robes! 🤓🤩 As for medical scrubs, yes the 100% cotton ones can be found but it has definitely been like finding a needle in the haystack in my experience!
I don’t know if there is a deadline for comments! I was trying to find the one where you put all the shirt buttons in a mason jar…… I just wanted to comment that you need to label your Mason jar “white”. I have jewelry parts from divorced and widowed earrings (no pairs). I put them in mason jars according to color. So you can look at a jar that is obviously all yellow but just to confirm, I have labeled it “yellow”.
Hi Cathy! I didn’t know how else to reach you but I received the box of cuffs n collars tonight! What a delightful surprise!!🎉🎉❤️. Thank you I will put them to good use in my next plaidish quilt using men’s shirting and jacket fabrics (given to me by my brother’s tailor.). I just finished a scrappy plaidish quilt using only these men’s fabrics and it is stunning! It will be a Christmas gift to my brother. I am behind on your most recent videos so this weekend will be good catch up time while I sew and piece. Thank you again - your discards are my treasure 😂😊
My friend was a candy stripper. (Spelling?) she would take a cart around & offer snacks & drinks to patients if they were allowed to have them. They would bring flowers to patients that were delivered to the hospital for the patients. That was a big thing in the 60s & 70s to get cards & flowers in the hospital. People stayed in longer than they do now. I guess I am dating myself too 😌 would you be able to teach us how to break down & use ties? I know they are a pile of bias but I would love your help with that. Thanks for sharing!
I have a question for everyone! I made hot pads with insul brite and 2 layers of batting. They came out wonky. My Janome Magnolia doesn't do well with heavy layers. I could not make a camera bag with it. I would like to know machines that would be good for thick layers. (BTW, I know what a candy striper is!).
I sew on mostly vintage machines & they are tough & sew through almost anything. I carry a Bernina 1020 but it’s getting too heavy for me to lug around. I recently took my lightweight computerized Brother & I was not impressed but it was easier to carry. Vintage Kenmore, Singers, Berninas, Dressmakers, etc. all work great & are strong. Great if you don’t travel with them.
I recently found some new, fairly heavy, 100% cotton curtains that are printed with stripes on one side and flowers on the other. One had been cut, so I will wash that piece to see how it changes.
If you want to use suiting the Australian tradition of Wagga quilts could be inspiring. Another source Is old military quilts made from.worn out woollen uniforms. www.rochefoundation.com.au/?fbclid=IwAR2wN4JcNExiIGOzNmNWT6jbgv7RQFEGANYECcDBsUxs4erAZcmGog-DDFw
Recently linen pants are being made with striped linen...which adds nicely to the mix of the natural color. Men's suits that are made of fine worsted wool, especially the pants furnish wonderful fabric for quilts. It is light weight and very soft. I really enjoy using thrifted clothing in quilts because the clothing manufacturers have access to fabric patterns that are not available to the home sewer or quilter. That goes for the exquisite silk that can be harvested from designer ties as well. Great show as always, Cathy. ❤
Photos of camera bag construction (and pattern) are on now my Patreon page---available to everyone, not just patrons! 🤓👍🏻www.patreon.com/posts/camera-bag-93343893
I helped my daughter make her first quilt for her friend who was expecting her first baby.She chose a batik print that was navy, sky blue and a soft yellow- which happened to be the colours of the curtains in the baby's bedroom. The new Mom lost her Dad suddenly at the beginning of her pregnancy- before she found out she was expecting. My daughter asked her friends' sister for an old pair of jeans for each family member on the Mom's side, including her Dad's❣️. The quilt pattern was fairly simple, and we used alternating denim, and cotton print. The cotton squares were hand quilted, and the denim squares were "tied", as the denim was too thick for hand quilting. On the back of the quilt, my daughter embroidered " Carrying on the Underhill Jeans" ( Underhill being the Mommy's maiden name). We incorporated some of the pockets from the jeans so we could include a little teddy bear in one- and a pacifier in another.
I love, love, love that you "have a lot to say"! I learn something from every segment of yours. It sometimes can be something simple to "oh my gosh!". And then I get to read the comments and learn even more*** bonus, thanks everybody for sharing ❤❤
Thank so much, Jean! ❤️ And yes, thanks to everyone for sharing---we have a wonderful sewing/quilting community here on my channel---lots of wisdom and experience from which we ALL benefit! 🤓
Pocket flap. 😊
Goodness--yes, thank you! 😂🤓😘
I’m going to call it a lid now though
I'm 62. I know what a Candy Striper is. I remember seeing them at the hospital. Their outfits were so cute
Dianne, I always thought the outfits were cute, too!
I’m 66 and I was a Candy Striper. The little outfits were cute, but expensive for my family at the time. My industrious mother found red & white striped fabric to make mine. 🥰
Mom-mom used the wool suit samples from the men’s store and heavy cotton flannel for quilts. We only had wood stove heating so bedrooms were unheated. In the 1970s I had one of mom-mom’s quilts and sometimes a wool army blanket on my bed in the winter and a quilt made of doubleknit over the window. You can make a quilt with anything.
Isn’t that the truth?! My grandmother made blankets and quilts out of everything too, including that double knit polyester! Not soft, but super warm! 🤓😉
I have been extremely lucky this year with linen from thrift stores. I found 2 new high end linen robes at the same store but 2 different days. I paid $8 for one & $3.50 for the other one because it was 1/2 off that day & marked $7! I kept one to wear & gave the other to a friend. I wore mine on vacation & it was fabulous. It felt so good! My friend loves hers to wear coming out of the hot tub! I found an IKEA duvet cover for about $12, 2 queen sheets for $6 each all 100% linen! Yesterday I found 2 new xxl ladies tops in gorgeous royal & kelley green. These are just some of my finds. I could go on! I love the feel of linen & from some of the linen blend pants I made some wash cloths & makeup removing pads. Excellent idea as my friend loved hers & asked for more! I made some for her dad & sister along with a wash bag for them! The washing mitts I made are amazing! They suds up really nice. Now I’m making bath towels for Christmas from linen fabric I ordered. Awesome!
Hi from South Africa 🇿🇦 great video. I've ripped all my husband's old unused pants and shirts and quilted with them. I must say I do discard the tops of the pants and reuse the zips. To me it's so awesome to reuse and now I have a wonderful quilt and more on the way🎉
Oh I also wanted to say (me editing my comment here) I ripped pants like jeans and old (not so nice) pants and crocheted beautiful rugs. They are absolutely beautiful and amazing.
Hi Lee! Thank you so much! ❤️ I love the idea of crocheting jeans and old pants into rugs! So clever! 🤓 And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out here quilting with pants! 🤩
One consideration when using jeans is the thickness of the seams as you sew a quilt. Thick intersecting seams can reek havoc on your sewing machine needles (bending, breaking, etc.) as well as mess up the timing of the machine. I find that an older heavier sewing machine does a better job of sewing those thick seams vs the newer lighter weight machines. Pressing seams open helps with the bulk. Just be aware and be careful.
Great video, Cathy. Sew very helpful, as always.
Happy thanksgiving to you, Paul and the girls!
Such great advice, my friend! 🤓❤️ As a long-time sewist and longarm quilter, I know you learned this from experience! Thanks for sharing!
Happy Thanksgiving back to you and yours! ❤️
@@TheCatBirdQuilts yup, experience can be an unforgiving teacher…I learned some things the hard and expensive way!
I'm currently working on memory quilts for my daughters (and their families) made from their fathers jeans and cotton/flannel shirts. Using circles of the jeans and the square in the center of each circle. The quilts are heavy duty and will be great to use in their outdoor adventures and take thoughts of their dad along for fun.
Sheryl, that is wonderful! ❤️
I know it’s not “quilting” but raise your hand 🙋🏻♀️ if you want to know more about the camera bag Cathy made for Paul! 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️
Please, pretty please!
Yes please
We'll see! 😉
Oh❣️ Great idea❣️
Photos of camera bag construction (and pattern) are on now my Patreon page---available to everyone, not just patrons! 🤓👍🏻 @margan59 @jeanettewithrow9641 @sallyward9218
Link to Patreon is in the description box of the video! 😘
I made a memory quilt for a friend that lost her father. She brought me all his flannel plaid shirts. I made up a variety star quilt. I often used the pocket area as the center square of the star. She absolutely loved it. I also incorporated little tags or labels making very organic. I also have made bags with shirts and pants using the pockets. I think it’s a great use of fabric making some fun usable focus area. As always you continue to inspire us, thinking outside the box! ❤
Thank you, Sally! ❤️ I’m not surprised that your friend loved the quilt you made-those one-of-a-kind shirt quilts (made with love) are THE BEST.
I've used the jeans from our family to make a quilt. It's a little harder to make, but I liked the result with a the different schades of blue.
I'm now hoarding the black-gray jeans for making a quilted coat
Anja, I've thought about keeping our family's worn out jeans for that same purpose! Glad to know you like the result! And a black/gray quilted coat sounds awesome! 🤩🤓❤️
Thank you so much for this information. My Husband wears jeans for work. When they are faded I cut them up so I have a huge pile of denim. Hopefully I will get to use it soon. ✌🏻♥️
I just wanted to say thank you for permitting me to cut off seams. All these years before I've started to watch your videos, I used to unpeack all seam, stitch by stitch, wasting time 🫣 And then, boom, Cathy says "cut it off", OMG. 🎉🎉🎉
Is anyone like me around here?
😂😂😂
Lana, I laughed at this!😂 It's so true, tho---it takes SO MUCH TIME and really doesn't yield that much fabric in the end. And having someone give us permission to shortcut it is freeing, isn't it?! ❤️
Wow! Who knew...pants with button, zipper, belt and belt loops AND, draw strings! 😂 I'm still playing with shirts, pillowcases and various linens. Fun video. Thanks!
Thanks, Marsha! ❤️ And right?! Those pants were perhaps a tad overworked!😂
When using Linen pants and breaking them down, I leave the hem in. Whenever I decide to use the fabric, it is easier to see which side of the Linen is the right side of the fabric, which can be a challenge. My son's favorite quilt is the jeans backing quilt. I didn't have to add batting, as the jeans + quilting cotton on top was heavy enough for his warmer climate. I just found a 44" pair of thifted men's jeans that I am using for mug rug backings for Christmas presents for all the men in the family. Using men's shirts for the top of the mug rugs. At the thrift store, I always start at the plus sizes (men's & women's), where I can find pants with LOADS of fabric. If you QAYG with jeans backing, use quilting cotton for the adjoining strips, which lessens the bulk of those big jeans seams. I LOVE making jean backed quilts for gifts - they make sturdy picnic/beach quilts. You can find a lot of "State Farm" khaki color pants in thrift stores. Glad that you addressed the gross aspect of pajama pants. LOL
I left the hem in linen pants & used them to make wash mitts. I reinforced the hem with a straight stitch. I made the mitt with French seams & they are wonderful! The hem saved steps!
Debbie, that is a great idea to leave the hem on to identify the right side, thanks!
I was gifted a box of old jeans but am concerned about what kind of backing to put on a denim quilt that will hold up under the weight and wear and tear during washing. Can I ask what your experience has been? Would flannel be tough enough? Thanks!
so smart! 🤓
Debbie, this comment is full of WONDERFUL suggestions! Thank you so much for sharing! ❤️ I too, like the idea of jeans-backed quilt--so sturdy and yes would be GREAT for picnic/beach quilts. And yes, you know I can't talk about pj pants and not cover the "gross aspect"---maybe too much candor for some, but I don't want to ignore a very real part of it! 😂
My son's jean quilt had only 2 layers: top quilting cottons, bottom denim, no batting. Denim quilts are really heavy from the denim fabric alone. A quality flannel would hold up better than the cheap flannels that pill and shrink easily. @@karenneiman856
@annelefevre9457
Hi Anne. There are multiple reasons to use clothing for quilting. It can be practical to recycle fabric and re-use it. After all, that is in the DNA origins of quilting. It can also be sentimental, using a loved one's clothes for making a memory quilt. It is also zeconomical. Here in Canada, fabric is just stupid expensive. Buying clothing to use in quilting is the best way I can use my money to build a stash that otherwise I would not have. (So many blue plaid shirts, LOL) I also examine sheets, pillow cases, and curtains at thrift shops. And it is fun! To come home with bargain is thrilling for me. I hope this helps you understand the many reasons for clothing in quilting.
This was a good presentation, Kathy. And the editor had many fun graphics. Well done, team.
Greetings from Vancouver Island British Columbia, Canada.
Thanks, Diane! ❤️
Loved the reference to Candy Striper ! I was one in 1964/1965. Forgot about those days. Your description was perfect !!
It was a definite throwback! 🤓❤️
😂I was a candy striper in highschool in the early 70's. We delivered meals and kept water glasses filled and sometimes just visited with patients.
Also, I split my pants right at the center. That way you have two very large pieces with a seam down the center. But, it's for quilts, which are pieced anyway. 😁
Could you please explain why you split the pants down the center (which gave me a different picture in my mind when I first read it, haha)? I have never thought of doing it that way and am interested in learning about the benefits/pros and cons. Thanks!
@@karenneiman856 I found that I can get really large pieces of fabric when I split them that way. We sew pieces together anyway. So I just use the manufacturer seams. It really gives much more options for larger or longer pieces.☺️
@@vickif1419 Very interesting. Thank you for the response and sharing your experience; much appreciated! 🙂
So smart! Especially if you're needing larger pieces! 🤓❤️
Cathy, the quilt behind you is just beautiful in color and design. Can't wait to see it featured one day. Wishing you and your beautiful family a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you and your channel that provides so many of us with great creative content but also friendship in this special community.
Thank you, Mary Beth!❤️ I’m thankful to have you as part of this community! 🥰 Happy Thanksgiving!
The Candystriper reference was not lost on me! In High School (early 80s) I volunteered in our local hospital wearing a "jumper" of the candystripe fabric.❤ Hope to see what you make with those fun pajama pants someday.😉
Giselle, I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers! 🤓😊 I have used that pink stripe in my postage stamp pink mug rugs, but I want to find a better use for it (since I have so much of it!)
I recently moved from Texas with a dozen quilt stores in close proximity to rural Georgia with no close quilt stores. There are several thrift stores nearby . So my fabric will now be acquired by thrifting. Thank you so much for all the information I have gotten from your videos. I will now add pants to my shopping list!😊
Well I hate that you've lost your easy access to quilt stores, but I'm glad to offer thrift stores as a solution! May you find the loveliest fabric ever in repurposed shirts! ❤️
I was a Candy Striper at the pediatric hospital in my home town when I was 17. The pj bottoms definitely remind me of the “uniform” we wore. They are now called “volunteers”, probably to be more inclusive of all the men that choose to give of their time too.
I loved those candy striper uniforms! The just seemed so happy and sweet! 😊
I so look forward to Friday morning’s with The CatBird!!! I have found several pairs of linen pants - men & women - and I’m like you in that that waist just MUST GO! If pockets are the same fabric I save but if they only have a small portion in the linen then out they go into the scrap bin. I am so thrilled that you did this video because I’m getting ready to start memory quilts for my girls (3) of their dad’s pants and shirts. He is still alive and kicking but I want them to be done for when he isn’t! Nothing like getting ahead of the game! BTW Pink stripe pajama pants - LOVE! 💗 You Rock Sister!
Thank you, Christina! ❤️ We would all do well to make memory quilts before they are only memories! Love that you're doing that for your girls! 🥰
Awesome video as always :) Another con with pants is the added "stretch" to the fabrics (spandex or elastane) it can make it hard to match pieces. Found that out the hard way lol. I always check no for those and skip if there is any stretch to the fabric.
So true! That stretch is a no-go for me too! 🤓
This made me smile. In the uk 'pants' = underwear. Just as well my niece's hubby is from US & has educated me in the differences in our words definitions. 😊
Ok, I laughed thinking of how many times I said "pants" in this video! 😂
Looks like you have managed to find enough linen to get your quilt finished 👍 That’s great 🎉 Can’t wait to see it finished 🤔😃 Thanks for the video - our inspiration for this week 👏👏🇬🇧
I definitely have enough linen-now if I can just find the TIME to finish it! 😱 But thank you!❤️
Thank you for the tips Cathy! 👍🏻☺️ You always have good ones! 🥰
Thank you, Charity!❤️
Cathy, I was wondering about how one might break down thrift store pants too. I don't find pajamas in my local thrift stores. These seem to be underwear-free zones. Love the linen you have found and used. Fun story about Candy Stripers. My older sister was a Candy Striper and enjoyed it. I thought I might like it too. I went to an informational meeting for interested girls. I was in sync with the program until they said we would have to have short hair. Immediate deal-breaker. At the time, I wanted to have Joan Baez hair and was trying to grow it long. I just wasn't that community-minded.
I was a candy striper in the early 1990s! 😂 I interacted with patients for ONE day before I asked if they had anything in the office available. Lol! They assigned me to the Education Dept and I loved it!
I recently broke down 8 pairs of my son’s denim shorts…urban-style with wide & long legs. I plan to use them in a quilt for my grandson & his parents to use outside. Each leg will yield at least a 12 x 20 piece of fabric, including pockets. I’m excited to get this one done. Yes, another WIP.
I've long thought that denim pants (and thick twill, too) would make an excellent outdoor quilt! Great minds think alike! 🤓 And yes, there's always another WIP for me, too. 😘
Good morning from the Rocky Mountains region of Montana, USA. Thanks for all the insights about using pants as a fabric source for quilting and sewing projects.
I think the quantity of linen pants in use is a regional thing. We lived in the Birmingham metro area for over a decade. Lots of linen clothing there, since it’s so very comfortable in the heat and humidity of a Southern USA summer. Less linen clothing here in Montana with the more moderate summer temperatures and lower humidity. However, we do love cotton (and cotton blend) fabrics for our summer clothes.
And I bet you have a TON of flannel shirt in your thrift stores-am I right? Ps I didn’t know you lived in Birmingham for so long-what took you away? (Or maybe what brought you here to begin with?)
@@TheCatBirdQuilts Yes, there are lots of flannel shirts here. My husband’s family is from the Birmingham area. My family is from Montana. The dynamics of aging take us places. 🌻
Quite agree. I've found new cotton mens boxers or pyjamas with tags that have never been worn, at selective charity shops which I suspect may have been unwanted gifts. If in doubt I give them a miss. And washing them is essential.
I preserve pockets too and have added them to quilts that might be used for picnic blankets for keys, phones, or for someone with memory loss to keep items nearby. Or how about for a person snuggling under their quilt feeling unwell, ideal for tissues, inhaler, vapour rub etc.
That camera bag looks very professional.
I have to comment. In the late 70's my dad was stationed over seas in the air force and I was a candy striper! Trying to explain that to people that dont know what it is is difficult, yes a teenager dressed in a smock wheeling books around to men in a hospital ward, GI's... oh I learned so much in those years lol
In other news... I went on my first shirt thifting adventure. I just keep saying, blue and white blue and white and yes I came home with some blue and white shirts (one GORGEOUS Pure white Christian Dior for 1.86). Thought of you when I spied the most gorgeous fusia shirt and a purple, hahah not blue or white, got them though. :)
I’ve been using jeans for years. Started years ago when my husband said “I’ve split the crotch on all these jeans but they look so cool…can you do something with them”. 😂 My sister and I have been collecting the jeans from the men in our family for years and have made sooo many denim quilts. You can get a surprising amount of fabric and depending on your definition of large squares, you can get a lot of those are well. I think the largest I’ve gotten are 8-9”, but I typically use 5-6”. And then there’s usually pieces that you can get other sizes as well (I never go smaller than 4”). Then I just back with flannel (no batting). They are perfect for picnics and hayrides and bonfires…
What a great idea! An all-denim quilt is on my to-do list...but I've got to start collecting denim first!
Lovely video again. I made two quilts from jeans till now. one was a rag quilt with the jeans fabric on the back and flowery cotton fabric on the front. Was a good and unexpected match. The second one was with the cobble stone pattern. So "bricks" of jeans fabric and other thicker fabric combined with narrow cotton strips to a brickwall (put on an angle for more interest). Since I quilted every brick I do not fear much pulling when washed.
I think the tread bare is the biggest issue to wath out for but thats true for any repurposed fabric. Give the fabric a good pull and see if anything ripps, then cut around that area (or incorpoare it for fancy sashiko stitching or similar :)).
Thanks, Julia! ❤️ Love the suggestions in your comment--watching out for threadbare parts, tugging to check for weak spots, and sashiko stitching! 😍 And I bet your jeans quilts were amazing! 🤓👍🏻
I just broke down an old pair of my pants. The area mentioned for being susceptible to being threadbare had indeed become so threadbare that the seam had failed. When I was cutting them apart, I cut out that area. They were also cargo pants, so I saved both the back and side pockets for future use.
Love Don Kim videos too!
I never mean to watch them, but they show up in my recommended videos and I get so sucked in!!
Hello C & P. I found my first Denim & Flower shirt yesterday, Score!!! I was sew excited. I kept looking on the racks, sliding the hangers like you do, lol. I found a total of 5, 4 short and 1 long sleeve. Just an idea...you might consider entering your orange peel quilt into Quilt Con 2025. It looks beautiful behind you on the wall. I really love the colors!! Many Blessings to you and yours and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Leann, that's so exciting! 🤩 I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! And as for the orange peel quilt--I guess we'll see! But my taste for quilt competitions may change depending on how this year goes! 😂😱🤷🏻♀️ Many blessings in return and Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
I too scored one for the first time a month ago in southern indiana!😂😂
I was a candy striper in the 70’s
That camera bag is amazing!
I’d love to learn how to make the camera bag! You always have such great ideas for breaking down clothing for quilt fabric. My slim husband was rather confused that I came home with 4 really large men’s shirts from the thrift store. Had to explain it was for my fabric projects.
Sharon, I can only imagine your husband's confusion! But when it comes to shirts for fabric---the bigger, the better! 😂
Photos of camera bag construction (and pattern) are on now my Patreon page---available to everyone, not just patrons! 🤓👍🏻
Great video. My husbands grandmother made a denim quilt out of old jeans but mixed in some men’s work pants in khaki. Unfortunately, 70 yrs later the dickies are all threadbare while the denim is as good as the day they were sewn into the quilt. It’s sad that it keeps us from being able to use the quilt.
Thank you, Sherry! ❤️ And how about your husband's grandmothers quilt! I would never have guessed that the Dickie's wouldn't hold up as well as the jeans!
Hi Cathy, I'm not able to locate the link to...is it 'Don Kim'?... I regularly use shirts and jeans in projects, is love to see another creative mind like yours, thanks!
I used the search function on UA-cam and he’s there. Take care.
It’s because I forgot to put it there! 🤦🏻♀️ I’ll add it in just a bit!
Great ideas ! Excited to try some of these😊
Thanks, Connie! ❤️
Good morning from East Tennessee.
Good morning, Teresa!
Yaaaaay for this!! Can't wait to tell my husband about this video. 😄
I never bought a pair of pants to deconstruct, but now it's an idea. I have cut the pockets out to use in the prison ministry quilts im making. In AZ and thrifting right now. But haven't bought any shirts or pants, because i dont have the suitcase space to take them home. Darn!
Diann--you know I am always willing to try almost any fabric from the thrift store in quilting! 😂 I wouldn't even go in a thrift store if I didn't have the suitcase room to add purchases---because that's when you find everything your heart desires, and then be heartbroken to have to leave it in the shop!
I have also found bathrobes that are 100% cotton and have lots of yardage. Medical scrubs may also be100% cotton but not always (check).
Yes---cotton robes! 🤓🤩 As for medical scrubs, yes the 100% cotton ones can be found but it has definitely been like finding a needle in the haystack in my experience!
I don’t know if there is a deadline for comments! I was trying to find the one where you put all the shirt buttons in a mason jar…… I just wanted to comment that you need to label your Mason jar “white”. I have jewelry parts from divorced and widowed earrings (no pairs). I put them in mason jars according to color. So you can look at a jar that is obviously all yellow but just to confirm, I have labeled it “yellow”.
Hi Cathy! I didn’t know how else to reach you but I received the box of cuffs n collars tonight! What a delightful surprise!!🎉🎉❤️. Thank you I will put them to good use in my next plaidish quilt using men’s shirting and jacket fabrics (given to me by my brother’s tailor.). I just finished a scrappy plaidish quilt using only these men’s fabrics and it is stunning! It will be a Christmas gift to my brother. I am behind on your most recent videos so this weekend will be good catch up time while I sew and piece. Thank you again - your discards are my treasure 😂😊
Oh yay! I'm glad you got them and enjoyed the surprise! ❤️ You can always email me if you want to be in touch! 😊🤓
@@TheCatBirdQuiltswhat is your email ? I don’t see it in your website - sorry! And thanks again!😊😊
cathy@thecatbirdquilts.com ❤️
@@TheCatBirdQuiltsthanks!! A blessed thanksgiving to you and your family ❤
❤
My friend was a candy stripper. (Spelling?) she would take a cart around & offer snacks & drinks to patients if they were allowed to have them. They would bring flowers to patients that were delivered to the hospital for the patients. That was a big thing in the 60s & 70s to get cards & flowers in the hospital. People stayed in longer than they do now. I guess I am dating myself too 😌 would you be able to teach us how to break down & use ties? I know they are a pile of bias but I would love your help with that. Thanks for sharing!
I have a question for everyone! I made hot pads with insul brite and 2 layers of batting. They came out wonky. My Janome Magnolia doesn't do well with heavy layers. I could not make a camera bag with it. I would like to know machines that would be good for thick layers. (BTW, I know what a candy striper is!).
So I can't answer your machine question, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who remembers candy stripers! 🤓👍🏻😊
Me too! I was born in the early 70s but they were still around!
I sew on mostly vintage machines & they are tough & sew through almost anything. I carry a Bernina 1020 but it’s getting too heavy for me to lug around. I recently took my lightweight computerized Brother & I was not impressed but it was easier to carry. Vintage Kenmore, Singers, Berninas, Dressmakers, etc. all work great & are strong. Great if you don’t travel with them.
I use a Singer Heavy Duty machine and a walking foot. That should get through thicker layers. Good luck.
And a vintage hand cranked Singer machine but it's hard work! And always a denim heavy duty needle.
Do you ever use flax?
No, not yet!
How a b out curtains?
As long as they are 100% cotton (or you’re willing to compensate for the challenges that poly blends bring), I’m all for it!
I recently found some new, fairly heavy, 100% cotton curtains that are printed with stripes on one side and flowers on the other. One had been cut, so I will wash that piece to see how it changes.
If you want to use suiting the Australian tradition of Wagga quilts could be inspiring.
Another source Is old military quilts made from.worn out woollen uniforms. www.rochefoundation.com.au/?fbclid=IwAR2wN4JcNExiIGOzNmNWT6jbgv7RQFEGANYECcDBsUxs4erAZcmGog-DDFw
“Stain situation” 😂🤣🥹😂 I really laughed at that con! Thanks for the chuckle!!! XOX
😂 It's really an indelicate topic (and location on pants) isn't it?! 😱
Recently linen pants are being made with striped linen...which adds nicely to the mix of the natural color. Men's suits that are made of fine worsted wool, especially the pants furnish wonderful fabric for quilts. It is light weight and very soft. I really enjoy using thrifted clothing in quilts because the clothing manufacturers have access to fabric patterns that are not available to the home sewer or quilter. That goes for the exquisite silk that can be harvested from designer ties as well. Great show as always, Cathy. ❤