I "Up Cycled" a pair of blue patchwork shorts into a quilt!
I used a favorite pair of shorts, but your could use a dress, a shirt, or a favorite fabric. I cut the plaid at an angle which made it more interesting. I had to deal with bias edges, but that was OK. I love how it looks!
Here are the original shorts!
I used a variety of denim shirts and denim dresses for the borders strips.
Step 1
Cut squares in a variety of sizes from the shorts --- 2" to 4 ". I cut 42 squares.
Cut strips in a variety of sizes --- 2 " wide to 3"
wide.
Step 2
Sew one strip on one side of each block. Press and trim. You may want to starch as you press. I starch.
Step 3
Sew a second strip on another side of the center square, but not the opposite side. In the photo the top strip is the second strip. Press and trim.
Step 4
Sew a third strip on another side of the center square, but not the opposite side. In the photo the left side of the block is the third strip. Press and trim.
Step 5
Sew a fourth strip on last side of the center square. In the photo, I am sewing the fourth strip onto the block. Press and trim.
Step 6 --- Square up and sew more strips
At this point I have blocks that have four borders with one center square. I group them into piles of similar sizes --- Large, Medium, and Small. The large should be about 8". Cut 8" squares from those blocks. The medium will be between 7" and 7 1/2" . Cut 7" squares from those blocks. The small blocks will need another strip or two sewed onto them.
The block on the bottom left is a large block (8" square). The bottom right is a small block that needed another strip and is (7" Square). If any of the smaller blocks aren't large enough, sew another strip onto them. You can sew strips to make them into an 8" square block.
Step 7 --- Count your blocks
I started with 42 blocks. There will be 6 blocks across by 7 blocks down. Which means you need to have 3 rows of 7" blocks (total of 21 - 7" blocks) and 3 rows of 8" blocks (total of 21 - 8" blocks).
Step 8 --- Lattice strips (darker fabric - cut 3" wide)
Sew a lattice strip to the top and the left side of every 7" and 8" block. I will look like an "L" on each block. I chain piece using long strips, as I don't cut my strips to the exact length. They stretch and pull a little. Press and trim.
Step 9 --- Sew the rows
Do not line them up evenly. I trim an inch or so off the top of one row to make them uneven that way the seams don't line up.
Step 10 --- Add more lattice and trim the ends
You will need to add a lattice strip to the bottom block on each row. Also add lattice strips to the right side of the last row on the right. You can put them on each block or just sew strips together in random order and sew it on all in one strip.
Step 11 --- Add Borders
I used more dark strips, but do whatever you think is eye pleasing. I randomly sewed the leftover dark denim strips together and sewed them onto the sides and onto the two ends. On two of the sides I sewed an extra border. Do whatever looks best.
Step 12 --- Quilting and Binding - as desired.
I quilted my quilt with a two color ribbon quilting with whimsical daisy flowers. I used a washable wool batting to make it a warm and cuddly quilt for this winter. The backing fabric on my quilt is a blue dyed extra wide fabric. I will bind it the same blue dyed fabric.
I am pleased with my "Up Cycled" Quilt!
I think this would be a great memory quilt using special clothing from a loved one.
Thanks for all the suggestions along the way, as I posted about the process.
Will I do another one? YES!
Are you going to make one? ? ?
Thanks for following along...
Marcia
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