Scrap Happy Shirt
Morris Print
Amongst a heap of scraps inherited from my mother-in-law, I found a length of fabric from the Victoria and Albert Museum…
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Morris Print
…the print is based on a Morris & Co design for Chrysanthemum wallpaper.
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Pieced back (printed face)
I loved the print, but I knew a friend would love it more, so I gave the whole length to her for Christmas last year….
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Sleeves
…but I asked that in the event of unused leftovers, would she give me back the scraps.
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Sleeves (printed face)
My friend made herself a voluminous nightgown, but I wanted to make a shirt if I could…
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Pieced Back (reverse face)
…and took 33 scraps to piece together this shirt! I used a pattern from the Stylish Housewife’s Clothes That Allow Me To Be Myself pattern book.
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Shirt
The printed pattern of the fabric absorbs the inconsistencies in the piecing-together, and I am definitely being my(ridiculously frugal)self with this shirt!
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Finished shirt
But I love it; I am pleased that I was able to correctly expand the pattern; and that I could follow the minimal assembly instructions; (having translated them from Japanese using a language app); I like the shape of it: and I have used up almost every single scrap of this fabric!
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Scraps of the scraps
And as for the scraps of the scraps….
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Picnic blanket
…I cut enough 1 1/2 inch squares from this and a couple of other scraps of fabric to make a picnic blanket (Hitty-size)and/or a future pillow cover/quilted object…
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Piecework quilt top
…and a few more scraps…
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Hitty Quilt
…went into a Hitty Quilt!
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ScrapHappy is a group of bloggers (links below) who post monthly about using up scraps! All genuine scraps are allowed, and any material. Blog posts are published on the 15th of the month – I really love to see what people are doing with bits and pieces saved from the scrap heaps! If you think you’d like to join the group, contact Kate at the first link below:
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Quimper Hittys 
Now this is super impressive use of scrap. Fabulous
Thanks! It got a bit ridiculous, but I was ridiculously pleased that I managed the shirt out of the little pieces that came my way! And of course a Hitty quilt!
I bet.
Beautiful shirt and wonderful tiny quilt work!!
Thank you so much! I was happy my friend could use the biggest piece of fabric and I don’t mind the wobbles in the surface of my shirt. I really think they don’t show (and they don’t matter)! I love tiny quilts, it’s so fun to make them!
You certainly did a fantastic job on both! 👏😍
Gosh! The scraps of the scraps of the scraps…. and I bet some of those very tiny pieces end up in next year’s stitch book challenge! Your shirt is gorgeous. I was going to try to find a copy of the book you used until I realised it was in Japanese.
There are some shreds left! You may be on to something there, about next year’s book…Luckily my phone can translate the Japanese for me. A friend of gave me the name of the book after I admired her “Egg Pants”. I ordered the book from Japan, and have loved the pants, the tunic dress and the shirt I’ve made. The clothing is really comfortable and really satisfying!
I shall see if I can find a copy.
what gorgeous fabric! I love that you were able to piece together a shirt for yourself and still have tiny pieces for a Hitty picnic blanket.
I really liked the fabric a lot! I have a length of “Honeysuckle” pattern which is gorgeous too, we’ll see what transpires with that one! Maybe a shirt with fewer than 33 pieces, though there will certainly be leftovers!
Amazing 🤩 amazing 🤩 amazing and so lovely to put a face to your name 🫶
Aw-w-w thanks! It was a silly challenge to myself, but I am very pleased with the results!
Oh, what a wonderful shirt and delightful picnic blanket and quilt! Love them all! ❤
Thanks so much! Lots of stitching and ironing involved – I had to overcast every seam since I don’t have a serger or zigzag to finish the seams.
Your top looks so cute, and I imagine it is very cheering to wear as it is a reminder of how you put your skills to use! It is just lovely.
Thanks so much! I am not very prone to “pride-goething” but I may be a little bit in this case!
You gave me the laugh of the day – you don’t have a serger or zig zag but a cell phone with good Japanese translation (I’ve never found a good Japanese translater). The piecing in the shirt is amazing, and it looks great on. Only you would go on with more tiny piecing, the Hittys will be delighted. I’m going to look up the book.
I am not sure the translations are good ones, but they are apparently good enough for me to figure the instructions out! I guess the book assumes you have some basic knowledge at sewing clothing. I recommend the book! If you can’t track it down you can borrow mine!
Beautiful, so beautiful… Fabric patter and colours are so beautiful too. Thank you dear Hitty Lady, Your creaative works always fascinating. Have a nice day, Love, nia
Thank you nia, you are always so encouraging! Friends like you are so important!
I’m smitten with both the shirt itself and the fact it has 33 pieces to it! The fabric is too lovely to let it go to waste. And then sewing the leftovers into smaller and smaller delightful quilts! My heart sings.
It was great fun – perseverance and stubbornness won the day! Hooray, and there are some shreds (possible pillow stuffing) left!
That was so generious of you to share the wonderful piece of fabric with your friend and I am so impressed what you did with the scraps!!!!
Thanks! I knew my friend would love the print – she has Wm. Morris all over her house, and has studied the Arts and Crafts movement, so I thought she was going to get more delight in the gift than I would have. I just loved the colours and the repetitive design though so I was glad there were a few scraps, and I had faith, and delight in putting the scraps together into a shirt!!
I think people who have you as a friend are pretty lucky 🙂
Reading your baby blanket story made me think the same about you!
Aww thanks so much 🙂
Superb! The scrap piecing is phenomenal!
Thank you! We love the fact that eked it out, and are wearing the shirt at this very moment!