Thanks again Cathy, I will be staying with you, you are a breath of fresh air on here, after I watched your first video I went to my local thrift shop and found 3 beautiful xxl mens business shirts, brought them home and ironed them all, cut them all up and I have already made heaps of 3inch strips out of them, resady to make my son a special quilt. It feels very rewarding to do this, and is the perfect quilt style to make for a 45 yr old man to throw on his settee for the colder nights. I just am loving the process, and the material is beautiful....
Valerie, you are just the sweetest! 🥰 I’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos and have been inspired to make a quilt for your son this way! Your comments are so encouraging to me…I’m so glad you’re with me on this journey!❤️
Don't throw the cuffs away. If you take and seam rip out the fabric that attached the cuff to the sleeve and resew the cuff together, then add two buttons. It turns into a fun reusable coffee sleeve that you can use for hot or cold drinks and it makes great gifts for others!
This is a FANTASTIC idea! So clever and I'm totally gonna do this and look like an amazingly creative person and when someone says, "Oh I love these!" I'll say, "Spencer shared the idea in the comment section of one of my videos. Isn't that so smart and creative?!" 😊🥰😘
Dear Cathy thank you so much for your time and information! You are a delight to watch! I am so glad that I found your channel. I am just dipping my toe into “thinking about wanting” to try quilting. 😊 I have been a thrifter for years, and am so excited to have another justification for thrifting!
Thank you so much, Lita! ❤️ We thrifters can always find another justification for thrifting!! But I think you would love quilting---so when you decide to take the plunge, I'll be here cheering you on! 😊
That heavy duty interfaced cuff, I would save and make a hair scrunchy and if it's a memory shirt, imagine how happy a family member could be to use that piece!!
I subscribed to learn about quilting, because you teach it so effortlessly. But more than that, you are just delightful. Thanks for putting your content out there. 🥰
You are amazing🎉 I really needed to find your videos today. My husband is very ill and when he passes I want to use his old dress shirts to make a quilt for our son. I have been really nervous to start cutting them up wanting to get the most fabric. And then you are also funny and laugh and are so light hearted. 😂 What a wonderful bonus. To get the most from your seam reaper😊 after you make your starting hole, lay the cuff out flat on your table, place red ball inside, hold your hand on top of cuff for a little tension and it should rip apart smoothly🤩
Thank you, Susan! I'm so glad that you feel inspired/encouraged to use your husband's shirts to make a quilt for your son. I am sure he will love it and it will be a beautiful tribute to your husband. I'm so sorry that your husband is very ill; my thoughts are with you as you navigate such a difficult time.❤️
You are such a hoot to watch….that’s a good thing. No husband here but I have two brother-in-laws that I am about to hit up for old shirts. I love that the algorithm gods sent you to my recommended feed. Keep the footage rolling. 👏👏👍👍🤪
Hi from South Africa 🇿🇦 I just found you and love your videos and how you make me laugh. Therapy 😂. I "cut up" 😊 my husband bazillion shirts and pack all the cuffs and collars away as I don't know what to do with it. Well I was making a scrappy quilt and ran out of fabric... like is that possible 😢 I dug deep and found all my cuffs etc. Wow I was utterly amazed at how much fabric I got from it. Treasure cover🎉🎉 thanks for your encouragement
Thank you! What a fun video! As I watched you throw away the piece of cuff with interfacing, I thought - I’d save that for a pocket on the inside of a tote bag. I love making totes with fun different fabric for interior pockets and these pieces would be perfect. Again, thank you for this series. I will start cutting up shirts soon and I am patiently waiting for your next video.
OMG there are so many reasons I'm drawn to you. I'm a very methodical person, I would have been a scientist had I had the opportunity for college. I'm the tailor at a men's wear store 😂 you should see our packaged shirt wall! But they are way too much polyester for me to use in a quilt. I truly did not need another way to acquire more fabric, but here we are. You little descriptions/definitions on screen are hilarious. How have I just found you today. Oh I know it's a rainy day and don't have the opportunity to go to my studio today, so I'm sitting home trolling UA-cam. Now I gotta go subscribe!
I really enjoy your videos - lots of good information and some laughs along the way. I am a fairly new quilter so I try to absorb all of the useful information I can from other quilters who are more experienced. I will be 75 next week but I am totally enjoying learning something new every day about quilting. Thanks so much for sharing ………………..
I am so enjoying your videos. So glad I came across them. I love your laugh, your humor, and your editing! I will no longer be donating my husbands old shirts. I also recently received some of my mother's pretty shirts after her passing and even though it won't produce as much fabric it will be meaningful fabric and I now have the confidence to cut them up.
So when we made this video, I hadn’t! But then I finished a quilt for my coworker who is relocating and I tried it….of course it worked beautifully! ❤️
I once saw a technique for turning the back of a shirt to make an apron. It was easy and lasted for a long time. You can use the front to make pockets.
Hello! Such a great way to conserve cottons instead of having them end up in the dump. I hope you have have a lovely day. I just got home from a tea party and I had a wonderful time. I hope you have a great week ahead. Thank you for posting your video and your expertise!
I laughed at "expertise" but thank you for the great compliment! 🥰 So glad you had a great tea party...I had a horrible garbage day at my full-time job, but I came home to really super sweet comments like this one and I'm already feeling better! Thanks for watching and for this lovely comment. ❤️
I have just recently stumbled upon your channel -thank you UA-cam. I'm loving it. You are both informative and entertaining. My favourite part so far is "seam reaper". Watching from Australia 🇦🇺.
Hi Cathy! Lovin' the series. I enjoy deconstructing the sleeve plackets. (And sometimes feel like giggling while I work.) Anything 1" or wider, I use in 6" crumb blocks. Makes a swell lap size quilt.
Binge watching men’s shirt decontamination. Something I need to do. I’ve been collecting men’s cotton shirts for a long time. I probably have more plaid and stripes and solids. And recently came into some silks. The silks I think we’ll stay on hold for a while, and I may have to thin out my fabric collection as it is taking over, nearly the whole upstairs.
@@stefflcus I will stab myself with the darn thing if I'm not careful, so I feel that. In fact, when I'm previewing videos of mine before we air them, I watch myself and think, "I nearly just stuck/cut/poked myself and/or how did I not rip that fabric when I did that?!" LOL.
Same here!! It was a jaw dropping Eureka moment for me when you showed how to use the red ball side! Cutting the fabric has been why I have not used a seam ripper in many cases and this is HUGE! I love being an old dog learning new tricks!
G'day Cathy, another way to use the smaller scraps is to cut them into finer pieces, known as "coleslaw", and used for stuffing cushions, toys etc,,, all of the stuff that would end up in the bin can be given a further life, including any threads. I've been doing it for years, can't remember the last time I bought actual stuffing, but if I need the softer stuff, I recycle an old bed pillow,,, just soak it overnight in the bath or laundry tub with a generous dose of laundry soaker, then put it through the rinse cycle in the washing machine and hang it out in the sun to dry...as my ol' nan used to say "waste not, want not"...
Love your sound effects! They r right on! Went to thrift store and bought several mens dress shirts. Having so much fun cutting them apart! Thanks for all your videos!
Cathy, I am really enjoying watching you and laughing with you! I am learning a lot, too! I know that sound you are talking about when the ‘reaper’ goes an inch or more at a time. It makes me feel good, too, but I don’t hear it often enough.
I have never made a quilt before but I am hoping to,I have used my husband's cotton shirts to line my granddaughter's dresses. Quilts are next on my list of things to do with the shirts, I do hope you will go through how to make a quilt I would be most interested. Thanks for your time and effort it is a blessing to me. 🤗
I keep the cuffs, they are great for little bags for flash drives or lip gloss, ECT. Keep the buttonholes, use that when completed to add a button to fasten shut.
so clever! I have GOT to start compiling all these excellent suggestions! The creativity of sewists and quilters (I am convinced) knows no bounds!! Thank you for sharing!❤️
I enjoy your videos. You might need a new seam ripper. When I was doing alterations professionally, I had to replace my seam ripper every 9 months. It's one of those things you don't think of. Hope this helps.
Hello Cathy, with a C. Thank you for the non adventurous adventure. It was fun. Next time I will bring snacks. lol Community garage sales this week end. Will be 👀 for mens 👔. God Bless!
Hi Kathy with a K! You're so welcome and I'm glad you thought it was fun!! Good luck with your garage sale...I wish for your a wonderful mens shirt haul! ❤️
To avoid cutting around the seams, turn the shirt inside out , and flatten the seams. Unless the seam is a flat-felled seam, you can cut along the seam line and eliminate cutting along the seam twice. Sleeves are great for this. Regarding the seam reaper, the ball is meant to be inserted into the seam to give a slight elevation in between the two pieces of fabric so the knife edge of the reaper glides along the thread used in the seam. Like others have advised you, do not point the end of the reaper toward your palm. Since your predominant hand is your right, slide the reaper toward your left or upwards away from your hand which should be holding the seam taught. Seam reapers do get dull. May need replacing.
Is your seam reaper sharp enough? I replace mine almost yearly (I live with a 13-year old boy & he will use them for questionable applications.) & I buy an ergonomic one... My tools are minimal but I am specific about my clover ergonomic seam ripper and ginger thread snips.
It should be sharp...it's only a few months old. 🤷🏻♀️ But I do break down a lot of shirts, soooooo..... 😉 I mean, if you think I need another seam ripper (especially a nice ergonomic one), who am I to argue?🥰
Thank you so much for sharing your videos. I've cut shirt apart but not as well as you. It's interesting to see how much Xtra fabric you can get by doing it your way. Again thank you. I will be along for the ride... anxious to see what comes next. Hugs
Thank You!! Wonderful videos! I love your terminology. As for the cuff with the interfacing ~ I would be more than happy to send a self addressed envelope with stamps for them! I love using them in small purses and bags! Planning a trip to my local Savers Store this week for shirts! Happy Sewing ~~
Now that so many viewers have commented on ways to use them, I need to dig through my scrap pile and use them myself! 🤣 Now I’m gonna have to have a trash can, a scrap bin, and a “collars and cuffs” bin! 😉🥰 Thanks for the comment and for watching, and I hope you have a great trip to your Savers Store!! ❤️
Well that’s smart! And I just had the thought, if you saved all the cuffs and collars with interfacing, you could use them to make a scrappy, patchwork bag! Wouldn’t that be interesting..and maybe really cute?! Thanks for watching and for your comment! 😊❤️
Wt the seam ripper if you place the fabric on the surface of your table and run the ripper own the seam carefully you can run it the entire way slowly.
Also really enjoying your videos and website. I love the pink and white fabric (the fat 1/8th) you held up to demonstrate how much fabric you get from the sleeve! Do you remember what it is or where you got it?
I got it from my local quilt fabric store-it is “Manderley” by Franny and Jane for Moda! I love it too! (Thankfully I still have some left that had a selvage with the name on it! 🥰) Oh and thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos!! ❤️
I was wondering if one could use the side of the cuff with the interfacing to cut down further for a quilt label. The fabric side could be written on and the interfacing attached to it would help give the label support when attached to the back of the quilt. Wouldn’t it have the stiffness desired for a label? Is that something that would work? Thanks! I enjoy your fresh approach to quilting and I’m learning a lot.
Stephen, YES! In fact, I cover that very thing in the last part of my series “your first quilt”…you can also write on the interfacing side! 🤓🤩 Oh and thank you! ❤️
I enjoy watching your processes. Are there other garments that you search out at the thrift stores? I’m looking forward to the next series already, but no rush 😉
I was buying only men's shirts but, when I was leaving the thrift store, I happened to walk past men's pajamas and, believe it or not, boxer shorts. I found a pair of 100% cotton pajamas in the most terrific green retro print and a pair of boxer shorts in a bright red candy cane stripe. I guess a man who doesn't wear boxers got them for Christmas and then donated them. Boxer shorts contain less fabric than a shirt, but they were 50¢ because it was 1/2 price day.
Dear Kathy, Am I correct that I only see 6 videos from you? There MUST be more. ? What could I be doing wrong? I looked on the tab, “videos”, “playlist”, “channels”, all tabs, even your “Home” tab and I only see 6 videos. I’m trying to find an answer to which shirts I should look for at the thrift? I understand 100% cotton or cotton linen blend, but what about thread count, etc? Should I never worry about brand because all dress shirts are better fabric? Or is there another starting point that will help me? Talk to us people who do not know good men’s dress shirt brands either because we aren’t married and have husband’s with dress shirts, or ppl who aren’t as up on all of the brands. Thank you.
So far only 6! New ones come out every Tuesday and Friday. 😊 I think I just learned from trial and error which fabrics seem to work the best, and even though I am married, strangely I never paid attention to my husband's shirts until I starting sewing with ones I bought from the thrift store. 😂 My advice would be to go shopping and see what you find! I do have a video coming soon about fabric types; keep an eye out for it...maybe it will answer some of your residual questions. 👍🏻
😱you were making me so nervous when you were using the seam ripper down towards your palm...STOP! no matter how careful you may be you could really cause damage to your hand.😵 The palm is such a vulnerable area. Great info, thanks for sharing.
YES! Do you know when I previewed the video before we published it, when I got to that part, I said to the me in the video (out loud) "It's called a placket." Of course it was too late to fix it by then. 😂 Once that camera starts rolling there is NO TELLING what I will say. LOL! Thanks for the comment! ❤️
I just commented to someone else that when I preview the video before we release it, sometimes I think, “oh my goodness, how did I not stick myself there?” 🤣 Glad you like the content though! 😉 Thanks for watching and commenting!
FYI...a shirt with double cuffs to accommodate cuff links is called a French Cuff. Sorry, I was a Fashion Merchandising Major in College (over 100 years ago) ...I am full of this useless information!
Please don't apologize for it...I love learning! Especially terms and words....like for real. 😊 And that isn't useless...in our house we call that a "fun fact!" Thank you for sharing this! ❤️ (now in future videos when I refer to these cuffs properly, we'll BOTH be grateful and happy for the knowledge 😘)
Also, I recognized your name from a previous comment and had to go back and find it. So now I have you to thank for "tattersall" and "French cuffs" ...I LOVE it! 🤩❤️ And maybe next time I make a video I'll call correctly call the shirt bottom seam the "hem!" Maybe. 😉😂
Thanks again Cathy, I will be staying with you, you are a breath of fresh air on here, after I watched your first video I went to my local thrift shop and found 3 beautiful xxl mens business shirts, brought them home and ironed them all, cut them all up and I have already made heaps of 3inch strips out of them, resady to make my son a special quilt. It feels very rewarding to do this, and is the perfect quilt style to make for a 45 yr old man to throw on his settee for the colder nights. I just am loving the process, and the material is beautiful....
Valerie, you are just the sweetest! 🥰 I’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos and have been inspired to make a quilt for your son this way! Your comments are so encouraging to me…I’m so glad you’re with me on this journey!❤️
Don't throw the cuffs away. If you take and seam rip out the fabric that attached the cuff to the sleeve and resew the cuff together, then add two buttons. It turns into a fun reusable coffee sleeve that you can use for hot or cold drinks and it makes great gifts for others!
This is a FANTASTIC idea! So clever and I'm totally gonna do this and look like an amazingly creative person and when someone says, "Oh I love these!" I'll say, "Spencer shared the idea in the comment section of one of my videos. Isn't that so smart and creative?!" 😊🥰😘
Sounds like a good idea. Show me how, please.
Dear Cathy thank you so much for your time and information! You are a delight to watch! I am so glad that I found your channel. I am just dipping my toe into “thinking about wanting” to try quilting. 😊
I have been a thrifter for years, and am so excited to have another justification for thrifting!
Thank you so much, Lita! ❤️ We thrifters can always find another justification for thrifting!! But I think you would love quilting---so when you decide to take the plunge, I'll be here cheering you on! 😊
“Cardboardy - not a real word” has made me laugh randomly today remembering it. Laughing while you learn is the BEST.
Ok I LOVED this comment...and then I realized afterward who wrote it! The. BEST!!! Quilting mentor and soulmate friend for 1000, please, Alex.
The most entertaining quilting channel on you tube!
Oh wow! What a great compliment! 🥰☺️❤️ So glad you’re watching!
That heavy duty interfaced cuff, I would save and make a hair scrunchy and if it's a memory shirt, imagine how happy a family member could be to use that piece!!
Oohh,. I've even started coveting my husband's shirts.🤣🤣. The ones he no longer wears that is. 🙄 Thanks for making shirts fun again for us all.
Aww thanks! 🥰
😂I just told mine if there are any he wants to get rid of he needs to check with me first! Because I may want that fabric…..❤️
@@amylynn1345 😂🤣 I love it!
We know be won't be using those shirts now!😁😁
@@marylynneturner5290 right?!?
Prrrrrt, Romp, Bloop (the sound of interfacing going into the trash)! I love to watch your videos! 😄❤
Aww! Thank you, Robin! 🥰
Love the softness of RL mens cotton shirts..made a few baby quilts using Ralph lauren shirts..
They are SO soft and such good quality! I do love a good thrifted RL shirt too!! 🥰
I subscribed to learn about quilting, because you teach it so effortlessly. But more than that, you are just delightful. Thanks for putting your content out there. 🥰
Thank you thank you! 🥰❤️
You are amazing🎉 I really needed to find your videos today. My husband is very ill and when he passes I want to use his old dress shirts to make a quilt for our son. I have been really nervous to start cutting them up wanting to get the most fabric. And then you are also funny and laugh and are so light hearted. 😂 What a wonderful bonus.
To get the most from your seam reaper😊 after you make your starting hole, lay the cuff out flat on your table, place red ball inside, hold your hand on top of cuff for a little tension and it should rip apart smoothly🤩
Thank you, Susan! I'm so glad that you feel inspired/encouraged to use your husband's shirts to make a quilt for your son. I am sure he will love it and it will be a beautiful tribute to your husband. I'm so sorry that your husband is very ill; my thoughts are with you as you navigate such a difficult time.❤️
You are such a hoot to watch….that’s a good thing. No husband here but I have two brother-in-laws that I am about to hit up for old shirts. I love that the algorithm gods sent you to my recommended feed. Keep the footage rolling. 👏👏👍👍🤪
Oh thank you! 🥰 I’m so glad you found me…thanks for watching!
Hi from South Africa 🇿🇦 I just found you and love your videos and how you make me laugh. Therapy 😂. I "cut up" 😊 my husband bazillion shirts and pack all the cuffs and collars away as I don't know what to do with it. Well I was making a scrappy quilt and ran out of fabric... like is that possible 😢 I dug deep and found all my cuffs etc. Wow I was utterly amazed at how much fabric I got from it. Treasure cover🎉🎉 thanks for your encouragement
I save the seams for plant ties and other outdoor uses. I join them with square knots and make a big ball of ‘seam rope’.
Kathy, thanks so much! I’m so glad I found your videos. Can’t wait for the next one. Love to hear you laugh, I’m right there laughing with you.
Oh I love that! Thanks for watching and commenting! 🥰❤️
Thank you! What a fun video! As I watched you throw away the piece of cuff with interfacing, I thought - I’d save that for a pocket on the inside of a tote bag. I love making totes with fun different fabric for interior pockets and these pieces would be perfect. Again, thank you for this series. I will start cutting up shirts soon and I am patiently waiting for your next video.
I take off the interfacing... it usually comes off pretty easy. Then you have more fabric for projects.
Great idea! So glad you are liking the videos…thanks for watching! ❤️
@@tamzbroderick7599 I often do too, but the interfacing on that cufflink cuff must have been put on with Gorilla glue! It wasn’t going ANYWHERE!!! 😱😂
At that same moment, I thought, that would make a good quilt label.
@@rogerpeggywheat1630 and since then, I have used them for that purpose and it works beautifully! So you’re right and now I do! ❤️
This is so useful Cathy, thanks! Really enjoyed the whole series.
OMG there are so many reasons I'm drawn to you. I'm a very methodical person, I would have been a scientist had I had the opportunity for college. I'm the tailor at a men's wear store 😂 you should see our packaged shirt wall! But they are way too much polyester for me to use in a quilt. I truly did not need another way to acquire more fabric, but here we are. You little descriptions/definitions on screen are hilarious. How have I just found you today. Oh I know it's a rainy day and don't have the opportunity to go to my studio today, so I'm sitting home trolling UA-cam. Now I gotta go subscribe!
I really enjoy your videos - lots of good information and some laughs along the way. I am a fairly new quilter so I try to absorb all of the useful information I can from other quilters who are more experienced. I will be 75 next week but I am totally enjoying learning something new every day about quilting. Thanks so much for sharing ………………..
Oh thank you…Lord knows I’m all about the laughs, and learning too! Thank you for watching and for your comment! ❤️
And happy early birthday! 🥰
I am so enjoying your videos. So glad I came across them. I love your laugh, your humor, and your editing! I will no longer be donating my husbands old shirts. I also recently received some of my mother's pretty shirts after her passing and even though it won't produce as much fabric it will be meaningful fabric and I now have the confidence to cut them up.
That is WONDERFUL! So very glad you found me…thanks for watching and commenting!
That would make a great memory quilt with parents/ relatives shirts
I find this very interesting but even more so with the addition of your comedy routine...L0L
Aww! Thank you! 🥰
Cathy, have you ever thought about saving the interfaced pieces for quilt labels?
Also, maybe for applique.
So when we made this video, I hadn’t! But then I finished a quilt for my coworker who is relocating and I tried it….of course it worked beautifully! ❤️
I once saw a technique for turning the back of a shirt to make an apron. It was easy and lasted for a long time. You can use the front to make pockets.
Hello! Such a great way to conserve cottons instead of having them end up in the dump. I hope you have have a lovely day. I just got home from a tea party and I had a wonderful time. I hope you have a great week ahead. Thank you for posting your video and your expertise!
I laughed at "expertise" but thank you for the great compliment! 🥰 So glad you had a great tea party...I had a horrible garbage day at my full-time job, but I came home to really super sweet comments like this one and I'm already feeling better! Thanks for watching and for this lovely comment. ❤️
I've made it to Part 3, & I'm loving it! Thank you! You're awesome🤗
Thank you!!
I have just recently stumbled upon your channel -thank you UA-cam. I'm loving it. You are both informative and entertaining. My favourite part so far is "seam reaper". Watching from Australia 🇦🇺.
Oh yay! Thank you!!🥰So glad you found me!❤️
Hi Cathy! Lovin' the series. I enjoy deconstructing the sleeve plackets. (And sometimes feel like giggling while I work.) Anything 1" or wider, I use in 6" crumb blocks. Makes a swell lap size quilt.
Thank you, Sarah! So glad you are enjoying it! Thanks for watching and commenting! ❤️
Binge watching men’s shirt decontamination. Something I need to do. I’ve been collecting men’s cotton shirts for a long time. I probably have more plaid and stripes and solids. And recently came into some silks. The silks I think we’ll stay on hold for a while, and I may have to thin out my fabric collection as it is taking over, nearly the whole upstairs.
I don't quilt (yet?) but I find your voice and way you speak SO relaxing so a new video from you is always a treat ♥
Aww thank you! 🥰 Thanks for watching!
I have been sewing for over 40;years and didn’t know what the little ball on the “seam reaper” was for! Eureka!
Huzzah! I love that you learned something new! ❤️🥰❤️
Same. I always assumed it was to keep you from poking your thumb, which I WILL DO if left unsupervised. But this makes more sense!
@@stefflcus I will stab myself with the darn thing if I'm not careful, so I feel that. In fact, when I'm previewing videos of mine before we air them, I watch myself and think, "I nearly just stuck/cut/poked myself and/or how did I not rip that fabric when I did that?!" LOL.
@@TheCatBirdQuilts We live on the edge!
Same here!! It was a jaw dropping Eureka moment for me when you showed how to use the red ball side! Cutting the fabric has been why I have not used a seam ripper in many cases and this is HUGE! I love being an old dog learning new tricks!
I am eager to see what to do with collars and yokes!
Oh yay!! 🥰 thanks for watching and commenting!
G'day Cathy, another way to use the smaller scraps is to cut them into finer pieces, known as "coleslaw", and used for stuffing cushions, toys etc,,, all of the stuff that would end up in the bin can be given a further life, including any threads. I've been doing it for years, can't remember the last time I bought actual stuffing, but if I need the softer stuff, I recycle an old bed pillow,,, just soak it overnight in the bath or laundry tub with a generous dose of laundry soaker, then put it through the rinse cycle in the washing machine and hang it out in the sun to dry...as my ol' nan used to say "waste not, want not"...
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Yay, it’s Cathy! Loving these so much
Aww thank you! ❤️
Love your sound effects! They r right on! Went to thrift store and bought several mens dress shirts. Having so much fun cutting them apart! Thanks for all your videos!
Oh my goodness thank you!! Thanks for watching them! 🥰
Cathy, I am really enjoying watching you and laughing with you! I am learning a lot, too! I know that sound you are talking about when the ‘reaper’ goes an inch or more at a time. It makes me feel good, too, but I don’t hear it often enough.
So glad you are enjoying the videos!🥰
And right?!? SO satisfying.😊
I have never made a quilt before but I am hoping to,I have used my husband's cotton shirts to line my granddaughter's dresses. Quilts are next on my list of things to do with the shirts, I do hope you will go through how to make a quilt I would be most interested. Thanks for your time and effort it is a blessing to me. 🤗
Thank you so much! ❤️ I am in the planning stages for a series on how to make your first quilt…so stay tuned! 😊
Oh Cathy! So funny! Thank you for new sewing and cutting sound effects to use. Romp!!
Oh I'm so glad you think it's funny! Thank you for watching and laughing with me! 🥰
How fun to see recycling. Thank you so much for sharing your talents.
You’re welcome! ☺️ Thank you for watching and commenting! ❤️
Love this series and how you do things! I went looking for men's shirts and have to admit I was surprised at the cost!!!
Isn’t it surprising? And thank you for watching and commenting! ❤️
I am sooo glad to have found your channel .. I luv using mens shirtings for quilting and there are very few channels that showcase using shirtings
I’m so glad you found me too!! 🥰 and right?!?
Hello from Wales UK thank you for sharing, i am looking to give this a go, great fun video
Thank you so much! 🥰
I keep the cuffs, they are great for little bags for flash drives or lip gloss, ECT. Keep the buttonholes, use that when completed to add a button to fasten shut.
so clever! I have GOT to start compiling all these excellent suggestions! The creativity of sewists and quilters (I am convinced) knows no bounds!! Thank you for sharing!❤️
I enjoy your videos. You might need a new seam ripper. When I was doing alterations professionally, I had to replace my seam ripper every 9 months. It's one of those things you don't think of. Hope this helps.
Oh thanks! That green one is actually less than 6 months old, but no one has to ask me twice to buy another seam ripper! 😘
Hello Cathy, with a C. Thank you for the non adventurous adventure. It was fun. Next time I will bring snacks. lol Community garage sales this week end. Will be 👀 for mens 👔. God Bless!
Hi Kathy with a K! You're so welcome and I'm glad you thought it was fun!! Good luck with your garage sale...I wish for your a wonderful mens shirt haul! ❤️
To avoid cutting around the seams, turn the shirt inside out , and flatten the seams. Unless the seam is a flat-felled seam, you can cut along the seam line and eliminate cutting along the seam twice. Sleeves are great for this.
Regarding the seam reaper, the ball is meant to be inserted into the seam to give a slight elevation in between the two pieces of fabric so the knife edge of the reaper glides along the thread used in the seam. Like others have advised you, do not point the end of the reaper toward your palm. Since your predominant hand is your right, slide the reaper toward your left or upwards away from your hand which should be holding the seam taught. Seam reapers do get dull. May need replacing.
Harvesting Fabric ❤
Love watching your videos! Can not wait to get my shirts to begin with you. From your neighbor to the north .
Aww thank you! I'm excited for you to be along for the ride with me!
If you turn the shirt inside out it is easier to cut close to the seam.
What a great idea! 😊❤️
Is your seam reaper sharp enough? I replace mine almost yearly (I live with a 13-year old boy & he will use them for questionable applications.) & I buy an ergonomic one... My tools are minimal but I am specific about my clover ergonomic seam ripper and ginger thread snips.
It should be sharp...it's only a few months old. 🤷🏻♀️ But I do break down a lot of shirts, soooooo..... 😉
I mean, if you think I need another seam ripper (especially a nice ergonomic one), who am I to argue?🥰
The interfaced side of cuffs can be used to back hearts for I made a quilted heart
Thank you so much for sharing your videos. I've cut shirt apart but not as well as you. It's interesting to see how much Xtra fabric you can get by doing it your way. Again thank you. I will be along for the ride... anxious to see what comes next. Hugs
Oh wow! 😊👍🏻 You’re welcome and thank you for watching and commenting and coming along with me!
Thank You!! Wonderful videos! I love your terminology. As for the cuff with the interfacing ~ I would be more than happy to send a self addressed envelope with stamps for them! I love using them in small purses and bags! Planning a trip to my local Savers Store this week for shirts! Happy Sewing ~~
Now that so many viewers have commented on ways to use them, I need to dig through my scrap pile and use them myself! 🤣
Now I’m gonna have to have a trash can, a scrap bin, and a “collars and cuffs” bin! 😉🥰
Thanks for the comment and for watching, and I hope you have a great trip to your Savers Store!! ❤️
@@TheCatBirdQuilts ~ thank you for your reply ~ ♥️
That’s amazing!! So excited for more videos!!!
Oh yay! So glad you liked it! 🥰
The cuff side with the interfacing is perfect for embroidery machines
Well that’s smart! And I just had the thought, if you saved all the cuffs and collars with interfacing, you could use them to make a scrappy, patchwork bag! Wouldn’t that be interesting..and maybe really cute?!
Thanks for watching and for your comment! 😊❤️
Wt the seam ripper if you place the fabric on the surface of your table and run the ripper own the seam carefully you can run it the entire way slowly.
Thanks ❤
Also really enjoying your videos and website. I love the pink and white fabric (the fat 1/8th) you held up to demonstrate how much fabric you get from the sleeve! Do you remember what it is or where you got it?
I got it from my local quilt fabric store-it is “Manderley” by Franny and Jane for Moda! I love it too! (Thankfully I still have some left that had a selvage with the name on it! 🥰)
Oh and thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos!! ❤️
Couldn't you use the interfaced cuff to use with other like pieces for a recycle grocery / shopping tote ? They are required here in NY .
You could keep in a small bin next to machine and use as leaders .
Oh that’s a great idea! Thanks for the comment! 👍🏻😊
I was wondering if one could use the side of the cuff with the interfacing to cut down further for a quilt label. The fabric side could be written on and the interfacing attached to it would help give the label support when attached to the back of the quilt. Wouldn’t it have the stiffness desired for a label? Is that something that would work? Thanks! I enjoy your fresh approach to quilting and I’m learning a lot.
Stephen, YES! In fact, I cover that very thing in the last part of my series “your first quilt”…you can also write on the interfacing side! 🤓🤩 Oh and thank you! ❤️
😁😁😁 love your videos!
Aww thank you so much! ❤️
You are such a goober
I can't stop watching you!!!
I want to ve best friends ❤
I am! And aww, thank you! I'm happy to be your friend!
I enjoy watching your processes. Are there other garments that you search out at the thrift stores? I’m looking forward to the next series already, but no rush 😉
Generally I stick to men’s shirts, but some of our commenters have suggested women’s skirts which I think is so smart! 😊
I was buying only men's shirts but, when I was leaving the thrift store, I happened to walk past men's pajamas and, believe it or not, boxer shorts. I found a pair of 100% cotton pajamas in the most terrific green retro print and a pair of boxer shorts in a bright red candy cane stripe. I guess a man who doesn't wear boxers got them for Christmas and then donated them. Boxer shorts contain less fabric than a shirt, but they were 50¢ because it was 1/2 price day.
@@robertawalsh2995 I’ve definitely bought men’s pajamas, but finding nice ones with a nice pattern can be more challenging than shirts! Lol!
Dear Kathy,
Am I correct that I only see 6 videos from you? There MUST be more. ? What could I be doing wrong?
I looked on the tab, “videos”, “playlist”, “channels”, all tabs, even your “Home” tab and I only see 6 videos.
I’m trying to find an answer to which shirts I should look for at the thrift? I understand 100% cotton or cotton linen blend, but what about thread count, etc? Should I never worry about brand because all dress shirts are better fabric? Or is there another starting point that will help me?
Talk to us people who do not know good men’s dress shirt brands either because we aren’t married and have husband’s with dress shirts, or ppl who aren’t as up on all of the brands.
Thank you.
So far only 6! New ones come out every Tuesday and Friday. 😊 I think I just learned from trial and error which fabrics seem to work the best, and even though I am married, strangely I never paid attention to my husband's shirts until I starting sewing with ones I bought from the thrift store. 😂 My advice would be to go shopping and see what you find! I do have a video coming soon about fabric types; keep an eye out for it...maybe it will answer some of your residual questions. 👍🏻
Alas, ear wax. You're so fun. Relaxing and yet ... a little weird. In a good way!
I gotta say, I’m more than a little weird! 😂🤣 But I’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos! Thanks for watching and commenting! ❤️
Can you cut with seam wrong side out?
Yes, and I sometimes do that if I can't get them to "line up" underneath my fingers.👍🏻
😱you were making me so nervous when you were using the seam ripper down towards your palm...STOP! no matter how careful you may be you could really cause damage to your hand.😵 The palm is such a vulnerable area. Great info, thanks for sharing.
❣️
I call this fabric harvesting 😂🤣
Oh I love this! Like it's real work we're doing here, hunting and gathering! 😉🤣😂❤️
@@TheCatBirdQuilts well thrifting can get pretty exhausting at times 🤣😂🤣
Placket. The part of the sleeve that has the tiny button on it.
YES! Do you know when I previewed the video before we published it, when I got to that part, I said to the me in the video (out loud) "It's called a placket." Of course it was too late to fix it by then. 😂 Once that camera starts rolling there is NO TELLING what I will say. LOL!
Thanks for the comment! ❤️
Or make a wrist wallet out of the cuff.
Please don't point your seam reaper towards your palm 😲 one slip and you'll reap your skin! 😨
But I love the information you're giving 💖
I just commented to someone else that when I preview the video before we release it, sometimes I think, “oh my goodness, how did I not stick myself there?” 🤣
Glad you like the content though! 😉 Thanks for watching and commenting!
FYI...a shirt with double cuffs to accommodate cuff links is called a French Cuff.
Sorry, I was a Fashion Merchandising Major in College (over 100 years ago)
...I am full of this useless information!
My husband says , “I’m chock full of useless information!” But it is kind fun to know odd but occasionally useful things! Hahaha
Please don't apologize for it...I love learning! Especially terms and words....like for real. 😊 And that isn't useless...in our house we call that a "fun fact!" Thank you for sharing this! ❤️ (now in future videos when I refer to these cuffs properly, we'll BOTH be grateful and happy for the knowledge 😘)
Also, I recognized your name from a previous comment and had to go back and find it. So now I have you to thank for "tattersall" and "French cuffs" ...I LOVE it! 🤩❤️ And maybe next time I make a video I'll call correctly call the shirt bottom seam the "hem!" Maybe. 😉😂
always! Let's change "chock full of useless information" to "fountain of knowledge!" It has a nice ring to it. 😘