Preserving T-shirts by Turning Them into Quilts

Wednesday 21st of March 2007 10:39:44 PM

Preserving T-shirts by Turning Them into Quilts

Since so many people collect T-Shirts from activities, organisations, events, and schools they or their family members have attended, making a quilt out of shirts that are no longer worn is a great way to preserve memories and breathe new life into old fabric.

When Gretchen Shultz, from Toledo, Ohio, USA, was sent boxes of old T-Shirts from the husband of her friend, Barbara Riopelle, who had recently passed away, Shultz decided to make a quilt. “He said, do whatever you want with it. It was a good way of thinking about her and remembering the good times that we had,” said Shultz, after turning the shirts into three keepsake quilts she plans on giving to the family.

Over the years, quilt making has become more popular as people have been signing up for quilting classes at local universities and community centres. “I thought it was going to be a fad, and each year it increases,” said Diana Burkhardt, a quilt making instructor from Toledo. Many times quilts are made as gifts to those who are graduating college or high school.

T-Shirts have many different patterns, slogans, and other messages that are important to those who wear them. Taking old shirts and making a quilt is a way to preserve not only part of the shirt, but the memories behind them. The colours of the quilts are also very striking, When making a quilt from old shirts, it is important to make sure the fabric is still in good shape. Putting a fabric backing on the shirts may help when sewing them together.

Burkhardt has made over 40 quilts from old T-Shirts. “I made the first one in 1999, and it just took off from there,” she said. She has sold many of the quilts and she has made some for family and friends as well.

(c)Donald Cook, www.sxc.hu