Be thankful for your friends. Let them know they’re special. I found myself immersed in reminders of this as I became part of a mission to create a very special Twilight t-shirt quilt. Erika found me on the internet. Tonya became the local liaison. Suddenly I became connected to a worldwide “cult” of Twilight fans. This was interesting as I’ve never seen any of the movies! Yet, here I was chosen by this global army of caring fans to create a special present for their fellow ailing American “Twi Mama”.
The global call for t-shirts was answered. Packages were shipped to Tonya from around the world and ended up in my possession—Twilight t-shirts to go into the quilt from as far away as Ireland. Raw materials check. Use fabric I have to save time – check. Make it fast – check!
I don’t even know her; but, I was moved, jumped in with both feet and completed the quilt in record time. I don’t know what happened after Tonya picked it up. I don’t know what she said. I only know what I know. I would have cried.
As a loner. I started feeling sorry for myself. Who’s going to care for me. Who’s going to chip in around the world, no–around the neighborhood– when I get sick. I don’t know. I can only hope to be so lucky. If nothing else, the memories will carry me.
Be thankful for your friends. Let them know they’re special.
Update 10/31/12: the young lady this was made for was battling cancer. Heard from Tonya and Erika today that she received the quilt last Saturday . The hurricane hit. She had to be evacuated. Unfortunately, she passed today — with her quilt.
Operation Sandbox is dedicated to supporting America’s troops through the sending of care packages. This daughter of a Korean and Viet Nam vet will have a booth at this event that is in support of our troops. If you have a bike come and ride for the troops or just come out and show some love. Stop by and say hi and get some ideas on ways to turn your Harley t-shirts into quilts. Picture and link below for more details. http://www.operationsandboxga.com/about/about.php
There’s a fun neighborhood family festival this Saturday in Marietta, Georgia, and we’ll be there. This is the 17th annual East Cobber Parade and Festival. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15 at Olde Town Shopping Center. It’s a venue for local civic groups and nonprofits, local merchants, and will feature entertainment, arts, crafts and carnival games. If you’re thinking about a t-shirt quilt for the holidays, bring your t-shirts and let’s get started. We have bandwidth to do it now and have it ready in time for you. 101 days until X-Mas! http://www.xmasclock.com/
Should I sign up for a Beer Festival? Yes. No. Maybe. What’s beer got to do with t-shirt quilts? Plus, it’s supposed to rain. I finally rationalized that it was a good idea and to try it, so I did. I sent in my registration fee. It ended up being a good decision.
The Great Atlanta Beer Festival took place this past Saturday 9/8/2012. This was one of several that they host throughout the year. I was mentally prepared for the worst: people getting sloppy drunk and spilling beer on my quilts. Having graduated from high school in Munich–Home of the Octoberfest–Germany I knew what THAT looked like! Boy was I way off base.
First you had to have the $40 to get in–$45 if you hadn’t brought a ticket in advance. At German Octoberfest there was no admission fee. Second, security was everywhere to keep folks in check. Yes, I do recall the presence of polizei and EMT’s in Munich. Third the sample cups were only 4 oz. Enough to taste–though you could go back as often as you wanted. Munich — the beer came in liters; you could drink as much as you wanted; you could drink when you were 16.
The Great Atlanta Beer Fest at Turner Field wasn’t really an Octoberfest. It was a gathering of intelligent people from all walks of life that just wanted to come out on a Saturday and have fun, socialize, and try different beers. Most were probably under the age of 30. There were a lot of students and young couples. There were a handful of people in their 40’s or 50’s. Not too many people much older than that. There were a bunch of college Florida “gators” dancing in front of the band that looked like students. Perhaps they were in town for a reunion or game.
Not being a beer vendor I caught a lot of curious eyes but then got into some very creative conversations. A lot were curious about the process of making a t-shirt quilt. Many had a “collection” that they were wondering what to do with. Some had already considered it but just not gone that extra step and were happy to meet someone who could make it. That made it all worthwhile! And oh yes, the beer ice cream — delicious! There were also a few wine vendors. Food on the other hand was limited to expensive baseball stadium concession food: hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, fries etc.
All in all it was fun and worthwhile. I also didn’t have any trouble finding guys to help with the set up, take down, and heavy lifting. Imagine that!
If you’re in Atlanta or visiting and like beer — see if this group has anything coming up at atlantabeerfestivals.com You’ll like it.
I sold one of the “Beer for Breakfast” bottle opener hats. I think they’re cool but plenty left over for next time!
Rain was forecasted and rain it did. At the beginning heavy. Then it stopped, cleared, and more people came out. I did try to shoot 2 baskets at the Hawks Hoop. Missed both – oh well, it’s been awhile!
A Beer Festival? Sometimes… you just have to try something different!
I’m thrilled to have two wonderful women — Betty and Susan — now working side by side with me to measure, cut, sew, iron, quilt and do whatever it takes to create your t-shirt quilt masterpiece. Betty is new to Atlanta from Miami where she had her own custom sewing business. She has excellent sewing skills and great attention to detail. Susan is “in the hood” and an experience quilter. Susan is methodical and analytical and both are a joy to be around. They answered the call and are now part of the awesome t-shirt quilt team. Many thanks also to Jill, Leanne, and Marvin who have helped when needed with non-sewing database work and t-shirt prep. Allow me to inject my favorite quote – “When others said it couldn’t be done, what they meant was, they couldn’t do it. We can !
Looking for experienced sewer to help prepare quilt tops and other sewing projects. Mostly straight sewing. Flexible hours, part-time hourly in my Marietta, GA, home studio but will consider contract work for right person. Please email sewing resume describing your interest with pay expectations to kyle@justtshirtquilts.com.
This nice article was published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution Jobs Section and tells more about the person behind Just T-Shirt Quilts. Click to read each page (.pdf format)
We’ll be at the Expo for the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race. With about 60,000 runners expected this is the largest 10K in the world! The expo is July 2 – 3, 2012, at the Georgia World Congress Center. The expo is free to the public. There is more here http://www.peachtreeroadrace.org/expo/general-information. There is also a link where you can also see the t-shirt designs submitted by artists to be on the official race T-Shirt.
Sonja travels and has collected lots of t-shirts in the process. She and Thomas were able to organize them and come up with 30 t-shirts for one quilt for Thomas, 36 for a second quilt for Sonja, and 2 more t-shirts to make 2 quilted pillowcases. Following the selection process, these are what’s left ! Their finished “Globe Trotter” quilt is pictured in the portfolio.
When deciding on which t-shirts to use in your quilt, consider those that have the most meaning to you. You may want to build your quilt around a theme like music or sports. If you have a t-shirts that have a lot in common such as from concerts, school, soccer or sports t-shirts, consider using those. You can also mix and match your motorcycle t-shirts, for instance, with your car, country or travel t-shirts.
Choose t-shirts that you want to keep but don’t mind cutting up, because your t-shirt will be cut up around the artwork. You can use the fronts or backs of your t-shirts. If there is artwork or words on the sleeve you like can use that too. If you look through your closets and drawers you can likely come up with at least one from which you can make a wall hanging perhaps for a gift. 16 or more t-shirts and you’ve got a bed quilt.
Any holes or stains on the part of the t-shirts that you want to use will also be in your quilt. Wash them before sending, but don’t cut them.
If you’re considering having a t-shirt quilt made, one of the decisions to make is which t-shirts to include in your quilt. Here are a few tips:
1) First make sure you have all of them. Look through all of your drawers and other places you may have tucked t-shirts away. Check the closet, laundry room, under the bed, in storage in the basement or attic; Mom’s or grandma’s house; at your friend’s house; a child’s room. Gather them all together.
2) Next go through them one by one and decide if the t-shirt is still special. Does it make you smile? Does it transport you back to a special event from the past? Are you reminded of why you tucked it away in the first place and glad you still have it? Is it colorful, does it have your name, or team on it, does it have an interesting picture on it? Are you ok with not wearing that special shirt anymore? If the quilt will be a gift, keep in mind what you think the recipient would choose rather than yourself!
3) Now separate the t-shirts into 3 piles. The most special ones that you want to include go in to the “ yes” pile. Those that you’ll include only if they’re needed to complete the quilt go in to the “maybe” pile; those you clearly either don’t want to include or no longer want go into the “no” pile.
4) Count how many are in the “yes” pile. Do you have enough for the style you want? If so, you’re done. If not add in from the “maybe” pile to the “yes” pile until you have enough. If you are still not sure which style you want check out the pictures in the Portfolio and on Facebook for some ideas.
5) Be sure to smell your t-shirts after washing. Sometimes with athletic shirts, even after washing, the “authentic” sports fragrance can linger. Think of that thrift store smell. Sometimes this can reside in clothes that have been sweated in heavily even after they’ve been washed! So take a whiff after washing. It can help when making a final decision on which t-shirts to include.
6) For all of the “in” shirts, put a safety pin in the part of the shirt that you want to include: front, back, sleeve, pocket. Mark the “only if needed” and put them into a separate bag labeled as such. This way we know exactly what you want.
7) Put all of your “in” shirts in a plastic bin or sturdy bag to transport them. It keeps everything together in the early preparation phase. When all done, these will be returned to you along with your remnants and “only if needed shirts” that didn’t go in to the quilt.
8) Good job! You’re done. Contact Us to come on in. We have the talent, time, and space to get the work done professionally. We’ll guide you through the creative decisions needed to craft your masterpiece.
Hope this helps you take the “leap” and get started on creating your special t-shirt quilt! Meanwhile, we’re at your service, should you need help at any time.
Example of a sturdy bag. A box or plastic bin that holds all of your shirts also works for transport.
