Tuesday, July 06, 2010

could you spare a square?


The past few weeks I've been preparing for the Summer Work Party for Margaret's Hope Chest. Today I'm working on quilting this "guy" quilt, which will be one of my samples for the work party. It's definitely out of my normal range as far as color schemes go, but it's really fun to branch out. I love the simple pattern! More on that later.

The problem with quilting, though, is that it gives me waaaaaaaaaaaay too much time to think. I usually dream up at least 2-5 new quilts while I'm trying to finish up the one I'm quilting. What a vicious cycle. No wonder I'm never caught up!

My main thought today was, I'd like to do another quilt in this pattern, but using khaki colored sashing (already have it!) and plaids or stripes for the squares....so kind of a mimic of a guy's wardrobe. Wouldn't that be fun? I don't have a ton of plaids hanging around my craft room and the last time I hit a garage sale and bought plaid shirts for quilting, both shirts ended up fitting my husband perfectly, so he got them. It was a happy accident!

So, I thought I'd ask you...do you have any guy shirt fabric (or guy looking plaid or striped fabric) hanging around? Could you spare a square?

These are all from shirts that my boys or husband wore. The one on the bottom right was actually the victim of an unfortunate mustard incident after church one Sunday. I salvaged what I could. :)

If you would like to help, please read and follow the specifics carefully:

Each square should be cut 6.5".

Only one per person, please.

100% cotton fabric only.

Either washed or pre-washed is fine.

Please mail in one week or less. If you can't work on the deadline, please let someone else help. The nice thing is that the square should be easily mailed in a regular envelope, so no special trip to the post office should be needed. If you are anything like me, you would count that as a bonus.

I'll assemble the squares into a quilt top and the quilt (or quilts) will be donated to Margaret's Hope Chest. (Or if I get a bunch, I reserve the right to recruit help!)

If you want to help, leave me a comment with your email and I'll get back to you.

Thanks in advance for your help!

edited to add:
Thanks for the great response! You guys are the best! I'm closing the comments because I have plenty of help. Thank you, thank you, thank you! xo

78 comments:

Nichole Dirks said...

I'd be happy to send you a plaid square. :)

Unknown said...

I have a bunch of FQs in the plaid/strip/manly fabric. I'll send a square (or more if you wish)

Janet said...

I'm just working on a quilt for my daughter that uses plaids and I'm pretty sure I can spare a 6.5" square.

Anonymous said...

I have one from my husband's brand new shirt. The elbow had an unfortunate mishap and I am cutting off the sleeves. it's a really nice pale blue and cream plaid.

Pattie D said...

O/ May I help?! I think I can find a square or two for you! What a great way to help out one who so freely gives to us! Thanks AJ for all your inspirations!
hugs

Cheryl Arkison said...

Hmm, I wonder. Let me look, okay? It's a great idea!

Debbie said...

I could send a square - just one 6.5" square of plaid fabric??

debjeske@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

I hope you get lots of plaids in the mail. I'm sorry I can't help, my husband does not like plaid for some reason (I say he's weird).

Anonymous said...

If you don't mind it cut from one of my husband's old work shirts, I'd love to send one!

Jenn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachael Adele said...

I can spare a square!

cakegirl said...

I would love to send you a plaid square. May I send more than 1?

fancystitching said...

I am right now in the process of de-constructing shirts, and I would be glad to send you a square.

Kat

Brenda Rae said...

I've been saving my husband's worn out shirts to make a quilt for both of my kids. I surely can spare a square.

dutchcomfort said...

That quilt looks lovely and so does your nailpolish!

I would gladly send you a plaid square!

Anonymous said...

I sent a message to an email address in your Google profile and it's not the one listed here...but wondered if homespun plaids (not shirting) are okay? if so, I have a huge amount in many colors and would be glad to send. Carol
Well, for some reason Google Accounts is not letting me send so am sending anonymously.

Angie said...

I have several homespun plaids to choose from. If that will work, let me know.

Live a Colorful Life said...

Your title cracked me up, and proves the point that life really IS a Seinfeld episode.

Love your red toenails.

I can spare a square.

Sonia B said...

I have a square. Thanks for the inspiration you provide!

Thimbleanna said...

I'd LOVE to send you a square CrazyMom!

Kari V. said...

I can spare a square, or a few!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

I will look to see if I brought any plaid to my house... Of course I'd love to contribute!! Hmmm, I hope I have one little piece, or let's see whose shirt I can cut up...
:p)

Jessica Christensen said...

Well, if I were at home, I could contribute more than one (although I see that the rules prohibit that), but I don't have access to my plaids right now. In a month I will. Good luck with your round-up.

Princess Martha said...

I have quite a few, but am in Australia, so they might take a little longer to arrive :-)

Anna said...

I got a service error when I posted, so pardon my repeat if it shows up twice.

I would love to send you a square. anna (dot) seckman (at) gmail (dot) com

Jeannine said...

I can spare a square or more!

Nicole said...

Lol, Gotta love Seinfeld. I can spare a square.

berylthepearl said...

I'd be more than happy to send you a square, are you sure you don't want more than one??

Sara said...

Does it have to be from a shirt?
I have plaid fabric. Do you want dull or colorful?

[I'll be at the Margaret Workshop, so should I prepare a bunch for myself?]

Jeannine said...

Jeannine e-mail:
bjmk3224@sbcglobal.net

Sidney said...

I have plaid and I would be delighted to send a square.

craftytammie said...

count me in! i even have stamps in my wallet. tammieschaffer@yahooDOTcom

InStitches said...

Love your blog. So glad you decided to come back to it! I would be happy to send a square. stitchingmatters@gmail.com

MichelleB said...

I'd love to send you one!

Shari said...

What color would you like? I tend to purchase these candy from thrift stores. I'd be happy to send a square for your effort.
Cheers,
Shari

Jennifer said...

I have some of my hubby's old boxers (fabric is great, elastic in the dry, dry desert not so much) & I'd be happy to send you a square.
jennifer.wellborn@gmail.com

Quilt or Dye said...

Sorry, I would love to help but I am no where close to my stash for the next week.

leigh said...

I have plenty to spare, so if you still need one, let me know. I have been keeping my hubs' coton shirts since we've been married, so I have more than enough!

jeri said...

I have a square to share! :)

Teresa Rawson said...

I would love to send a square!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Carla said...

I got you covered! This will be fun.
twigcreeek@swbell.net

Messy Karen said...

if you still need it i'd be happy to send you one.

Chris {frecklemama} said...

I can do it when I return from vacation on Saturday!

Dara said...

Count me in- are you sure you only want one? Please send me your address. I met with Carin two weeks ago and is so impressed with her. Wish I could join you for the retreat.
Dara

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

I can spare a square. That was a good one!!!!

Tamara Hampton said...

I could spare one or two... its a good cause... id hate to just send 1! (and i just bought two more lovely plaid shirts at the thrift store YESTERDAY for a plaid project im collecting fabric for!)

Christina D said...

I have plaids already cut from recycled shirts.
I will send you a square if you want. Let me know!
Christina D.
dfamily864@att.net

One for a wish.. said...

Happy to send a square (or more) to repay for my use of your free patterns and the wonderful inspiration, but I'm also in Aus...would you wait??
These pretzels are making me thirsty....

Toni said...

I too can spare a square. Your address was ??

Jocelyn said...

I've been packing my fabric for our move to a new house, but I do see in my closet that I have a great masculine plaid/check that would work. Let me know where to send it :-)

qltmom9 said...

I'd be happy to send you all the plaid 6.5+ charms you want. I have 4 boys and I ~love~ plaids.

I owe you bigtime. I've made two ninepatch quilts from your quiltalong, and am making a babyquilt and a quilt for me from your current quiltalong.

You are SUCH a BLESSING to me.
Thank you, Lucy~

Terriaw said...

This is so cool! I definitely think I can spare such a square!! Love your up-cycling story of the mustard shirt.

Kristin said...

I ended up with quite a bit of plaid fabric when I inherited my grandmother's fabric stash (she was an apparel sewer). I'll be glad to share.

k.hofferberth at gmail dot com

Cascade Quilts said...

I'd be happy to send you a square too :)

Someday said...

Oh I'd be glad to send a plaid square! And so glad you're back blogging now and again! bridget.short@gmail.com

Becky B said...

I can spare a square. Does it have to be from clothing?

Sooz said...

Oh, I definitely have a square from an old shirt of my hubby's. He spills on himself a lot, too.

I'd be happy to send it along. He has great taste in plaids.

Best.
chathamsooz@gmail.com

Ashley said...

I'd be happy to send a square also.

Anonymous said...

I would be happy to send you a square.

marilyn said...

I can spare a square too. My favorite line from Seinfeld...The jerk store called and they're running out of YOU!reviti

Jessica said...

I know you said just one square per person ~ but if you happen to need more, let me know. I was collecting men's shirts for while, but I've lost the mojo for the quilt I was planning. I have a whole tub of men's shirts and some other scraps of plaid & homespun fabric.
I'm happy to box it all up and donate it to this quilt if you'd like. But I dont' want overwhelm you either.... :)

Melissa Brown said...

Love your quilts, would be happy to send a square (or more)
mbrown4230@yahoo.com

Alexis said...

I'm about to cut into some plaid shirts for a friend's baby quilt and I would be happy to send you a square!

Nancy said...

I would love to help.

rockgranny said...

Happy to send a square (or more) to repay for my use of your free patterns and tutorials. I think you've never seen a fabric from Croatia

Pia said...

I have a huge pile of my fathers's shirts, so I can spare a square for you.
Please email me at pia.vedsted.bruhn@hotmail.com

Timi said...

I would like to send you a square, too :o)

Sunanda said...

I'd be happy to send you a plaid square. Any particular colour? I have also been working on a quilt made of guy shirts so I have lots left over. Sure you don't want more than one from me?

Anonymous said...

send me your snail mail and I get some posted in the morning

cheers
Christine

Donna said...

Are you sure you only need one square? I have tons of plaid. Please let me know if you have a color preference. Email is ladynredd2003@yahoo.com .

Lina said...

I'll be happy to send some squares...

Kathy in FL said...

I'd be glad to send you a square.

Shirley said...

I have made many quilts with plaids and still have lots for the future. I'd be happy to share.

SarDee said...

I can send a square. I have been thinking about making a plaid quilt and this will give me the incentive to start cutting.

Libby said...

A few years ago I made my husband a quilt for the fire dept. using plaids. I had plenty of scraps and would love to send you a square!

OurCrazyFarm said...

I have lots of plaid scraps to pick from~ count me in. What a great project! Good for you to use your gifts in this way. God bless:))

Kelly said...

would love to send you a square!

Arlyn Parker said...

I'd love to share a square!
arlyn.parker@comcast.net