Dogs in Sweaters: Dad’s Shirts Memory Quilt Project

Hi, I am happy to share that I have completed another memory quilt top made from Dad’s plaid shirts. This makes 10 different quilt designs that I have made for memory quilts so far.  I used the Dogs in Sweaters by Elizabeth Hartman quilt pattern. It is a fun design. It does take a bit of time to make as each dog has 57 pieces and many of them are quite small. There was 150 little 1 inch squares needed for this quilt. I cut and labeled everything into individual ziplock sandwich bags.

I used 15 different shirts for my dog sweaters. The pattern is written that you can use 5 prints and cut 3 dog sweaters out of each color. I chose to add sunglasses to 2 dogs as my applique fabric was large enough to cut 2 from.

These are the initial parts all pieced for building our dogs.

More building of the dog bodies. I had initially laid out my dog sweater plaids in rows so I knew where I wanted the colors to end up. I wish I would have snapped a photo of it. I just did my best to always keep the largest sweater pieces in the same order. Always trying to remember that 9 dogs faced left and 6 dogs faced right.

Dogs 1 through 4. I shared this photo on my Instagram and thankfully, someone told me that dog 3 had his legs going in the wrong direction. I would have been very upset to have pieced the entire top and missed that.

Dogs 5 through 8. I chose red, navy and black as my sweater bands. I did my best to mix them up each row.

Dogs 9 and 10

Dog 11 and Dog 3 now with his legs going in the “right” direction or that is facing left.

Dogs 12 through 15

Dog 12 is made with my favorite of Dad’s shirts. I also used that plaid as the focus print in the Workshirt Mosaic quilt I made.

This is the Workshirt Mosaic quilt I made from Dad’s workshirts.

I decided to add glasses also to  dog number 4. 

Here is another look at the full top pieced together. I am still deciding how I can quilt it. I found a blue bandana paisley type print fabric with dogs in it that I think I will be using to piece the back. I am going to show it to my son first to make sure he approves of it.

I will be linking up this flimsy finish with Show Off Saturday,  Can I get a Whoop Whoop Fridays? , Needle and Thread Thursday and TGIFF.

Happy Sewing,

Shelley

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Comments

16 responses to “Dogs in Sweaters: Dad’s Shirts Memory Quilt Project”

  1. Cynthia Brunz Avatar

    This is a perfect pattern for all those plaid shirts. It looks great. Thanks for sharing with TGIFF.

  2. Diann Bottrell Avatar

    That is the cutest idea ever for your dad’s shirts! I can’t believe you’ve made 10 quilts out of his shirts. That is quite amazing! I bet your family members are loving them!

  3. Rochelle Summers Avatar
    Rochelle Summers

    What a beautiful quilt. Whomever is lucky enough to receive it should be thrilled. It’s been a pleasure to watch you process these shirts into lovely memory quilts. I hope you are smiling when you are sewing with them.

  4. Sandy Panagos Avatar

    I can’t believe how many pieces are in each block! It’s such a special quilt already with your dad’s shirts, and then all the work involved — this is a real treasure. I LOVE the dogs with glasses! Only having a few makes for a little fun surprise when people look at it. Well done!

  5. Val Reynolds Avatar
    Val Reynolds

    SO absolutely cute!! And what a creative way to use your dad’s shirts.

  6. Phyllis Avatar
    Phyllis

    I’m impressed on how thoughtfully your “shirt” quilts are created. Thank you for the inspiration.

  7. Janine @ Rainbow Hare Avatar

    This is wonderful. And I think it’s the nicest memory quilt I’ve ever seen πŸ™‚

  8. Cheryl Brickey Avatar

    Great quilt top! I love that design, so detailed.

  9. Vicki in MN Avatar

    It is just so darn cute. They may have taken you a while to make, but well worth it!

  10. Linda Williams Avatar

    This is so cute! I just love what you have done with his shirts. Funny that you sewed the feet on wrong and didn’t see it. I’ve done that before and I’m amazed when I post someone points out the error. Well, good job and quite a lovely tribute to the man you loved.

  11. Mary Marcotte Avatar

    So dog-gone cute! I automatically assumed two things about your dad: he liked dogs and had a fun spirit. I can’t decide on my favorite, but the sunglasses definitely add a touch of whimsy that I love. Oh, the fun of quilting this! Enjoy.

  12. Heide Avatar
    Heide

    Great quilt top, it is super cute!

  13. Rose Wells Avatar
    Rose Wells

    I think this quilt is amazing and that you are using your dad’s shirts even more so. My parents have had this breed of dog for the past 20 years and I want to make a smaller quilt for my mom’s 80th in 2018, I had no idea how many pieces were in each dog!. I would love to have used some of dad’s discarded from over the years, what a clever Idea. I will keep it in mind. Your speediness leaves me in awe! Happy quilting! I’m interested to see how you have it quilted.

  14. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    Do you have a pattern for this dog quilt?

    1. Michelle Folkerts Avatar
      Michelle Folkerts

      I used the pattern Dogs in Sweaters by Elizabeth Hartman. It can be purchased directly from her or from many shops on Etsy or other quilt shops online.

  15. Sharon Avatar
    Sharon

    Is there any way that you would put the pieces together and make me a paper pattern. I bought the little book that has the 57 pieces but I don’t think I am going to attempt that. My son is driving me crazy to make him a quilt and he has 3 of these dogs

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