Blue Collar Work
A Kaleidoscope quilt made from men's shirts from the thrift store plus bits and pieces of several shades (not 50) of gray solids I had in the scrap chunk crate.
80 x 88
Ten inch blocks sewn together pretty much in random fashion - no design wall or floor or bed.
I divided the blocks into piles of "with red/orange", "with brown", and "with blue/lights". Then I tried to use evenly from the piles while webbing the blocks together. I kind of eyeball and remember what is in each row as they grow. This is usually my method of madness.
Sometimes I get to the end and find I have a lot of similar fabrics left so they end up next to each other. Does it really matter? Well, not to me. This is a big quilt for a big bed so who is going to notice? It will generate the same warmth if like fabrics touch or are evenly distributed.
I think I have enough of a black (or navy?) cotton gingham for the back but I'm not really sure since I haven't yet measured. And I think I have enough black perle #8 to do some big stitching.
28 comments:
Ohh I like it!!!
That turned out very pretty, and I love that pattern. ---"Love"
This is such a lovely quilt! And I love that your repurposed the shirts. Wonderful!
I love kaleidoscope quilts but have yet to make one. I don't think I have the right ruler. I am currently working on a quilt for my nephew made from thrifted shirts. It is mostly reds and blues with a little white plaid for contrast. I love taking these shirts apart and making them into quilts. It is so much fun and makes me feel like I am truly repurposing/recycling as was done years ago. It is just time consuming doing all the prep work though. Your quilt looks great! Are you keeping this one or gifting it?
Love it, comforting and inviting!
Wow! Love it!
What a stunning quilt--I just love this one..you are the energizer bunny of the quilt making world for sure ;))) beautiful work..did you paper piece them? hugs, Julierose
Great quilt! Good 😊 idea to roughly sort your blocks into colours and then pick up from each pile as you sew them together. The resulting mix in the rows/whole quilt is excellent. Enjoy the big stitching.
Blue Collar Work, great name. I think you have enough random to make it real.
Too picky and fussy is just plain boring.
If it needs a home send it my way, I'll pay shipping.
What an amazing kaleidoscope quilt from the recycled shirts! Very effective.
Wow!! What a totally wonderful quilt.
Plaids and stripes and kaleidoscopes? You know you've captured my heart with this one!
One of my favorites so far....I love scrappy and blue.
Love the random layout! So freeing to do and the results are just as good as overthinking it. Life is short, do what's fun :) It'll look great in big stitch quilting, too.
Another fantastic flimsy! I love the colors/fabrics you used, and you can't go wrong with a kaleidoscope pattern. This makes me think I need to make a kaleidoscope quilt one of these days.
"It will generate the same warmth if like fabrics touch or are evenly distributed."
I like your attitude. Beautiful finish.
Pat
For not having a design wall or other large surface, it is amazing to me how your method of laying out this quilt resulted in one of the best kaleidoscope tops I've seen. The longer I look at it, the more designs and circles just pop and glow. Imagine this when it is layered and quilted, and then washed to add even more texture and interest. You're inspiring me to try my hand at one of these, someday.
What a great idea for recycling shirts into this beautiful quilt.
Exactly right! You inspire us all to be more daringly random!
Another beautiful and amazing quilt top! And in true random distribution, some things do get repeated or placed close together. Otherwise it would be too planned. So, I think we can therefore say it’s perfect!!
A great version of this popular quilt! I love your use of recycled shirts and the random placement, and even more, I love how it all dances together around the quilt!
Perfect man's quilt or anyone who wants to snuggle. You truly have more energy than I do!
I love the way you used the plaids with the gray/blues.Perfect name for your quilt. I also love the kaleidoscope block.
Honestly - I am running out of adjectives for these amazing scrappy quilts of yoiurs (grinning). This one is just so full of good things - well done!!
I agree with Julie: each photo you post elicits another "wow"! I like the pops of color and texture from the brighter stripes and plaids.
I like your colors for Double Delight. Very pretty. And the baby quilt is going to be loved so much. Lovely! Thanks for linking with Design Wall Monday, I appreciate you. Judy
Genting Crown
Oh I do admire the way you put your quilts together. As someone who doesn't have a large design wall, I can understand why it's easier sometimes to just start sewing the blocks together! This quilt is scrumptious!
As I've said before, your 'method of madness' works wonderfully.
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