LFQuilts Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 A new customer contacted me about a t-shirt quilt for her son's graduation this month. She wanted it made from his soccer shirts. When I quoted her a price, she didn't want to pay that much for something she wasn't sure he would use. Instead, she requested a pillow. When we met to look at the shirt layou for 15 shirts (9 on the back, 6 on the front), I realized that the smallest pillow that would work was 30"x30". I kept track of time and charged her for time plus materials. It's not a cheap pillow - but it did cost less than she would have paid for full up quilt. Have any of you ever done this before? I put a zipper in the bottom seam so that the cover can be removed for washing if needed. LOL - I'm not a clothing seamstress, so this is only the second zipper I've ever sewn into an item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 Great idea!!!! I'll have to remember this one!!! Thanks for sharing!!! It looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 That's awesome - what a cool change of scenery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 I love that idea. I have a lady now wanting a T shirt quilt, but not wanting to spend the $$. I will suggest this to her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie in Ok Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 great idea! how did you charge for it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisae Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 How clever, Lynn! Sounds like a great compromise! The finished pillow is very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathG Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 That is a very good idea ,and the pillow looks great !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFQuilts Posted May 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Bonnie, I charged her an hourly rate plus materials (interfacing, batting, and the pillow form). Since it took me about ten hours total, it wasn't an inexpensive pillow - but the actual charges came in under the estimated charges for the customer and she agreed to them. This was far less than she would have paid for the full up t-shirt quilt had we gone that route. So, it was a compromise. I hope that she, and her son, are happy with the pillow. Lynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Lynn I love that idea. You did a great job and I'm sure he'll use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pumpkinpatchquilter Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Oh those are great! Wonderful idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyT Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Looks great and what a neat idea, especially to use smaller t-shirt motifs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Lynn you could advertise that in your area, I'll bet you would get many requests. Neat job, Great Idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachside Quilter Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Wonderful idea, Lynn, and looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathyh Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 The pillow looks great, what a wonderful idea! Really nice touch with the zipper for inevitable need for washing!! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineseams Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 I've never particularly liked T shirt quilts, but understand why people want them for the memories they bring. This pillow is a fabulous idea - gives the memories, and can be used in the family room, man cave, screen porch, etc - where ever one spends time, instead of being tucked away in the bedroom. Also, the person who receives it is less likely to "outgrow" it. Clever you!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFQuilts Posted May 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Thanks to everyone for the positive comments. I wish that I could take credit for this idea - but my customer actually suggested it. I wanted to share the idea with you so you could decide if this might fit your customer's needs. I note that Campus Quilts, which has a killer marketing campaign and makes quilts for customers across the country, now offers a large pillow made from 8 shirts - 4 on each side. I can't tell from the site picture whether or not their pillow cover is quilted. I'm not quite sure how they hit their price points even with high volume. I delivered the pillow to the customer this morning; she was very happy. I'm glad that I listened to her suggestion and made myself work outside my 'typical' box. While I was initially skeptical, my customer's reaction tells me that this is a potentially marketable thing. She will post to her social media sites - so that is a help in terms of future business. Have a great Monday! Lynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyAboutQuilting Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Lynn, that turned out great! What a cool idea! And about those zippers.............they get easier, the more you do, so you should be a pro at them in no time once others see this pillow and start placing orders with you for one of their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlnewell Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Neat idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmullen Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 What a great idea! Thanks for sharing with us. I can see where a guy esp. would use this more than a quilt. Putting the zipper in was a great idea! Becky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted June 3, 2013 Report Share Posted June 3, 2013 A pillow tshirt is a great idea. That really turned out well, so thanks for sharing with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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