How to make a t-shirt quilt

You see them on YouTube and on the web. I thought it was a great way to get the t-shirts out of the closet making something with them. This is  how I did it.

what you need:
scissors
pattern.... I used 17 x 17 but you can use and size you want
t-shirts
iron on fusing about 3 yards
batting about 4 yards
iron
backing-- if not using the t-shirt backs
sewing machine or can do it by hand sewing

This takes about 15 t-shirts or what ever you want to use

15 t-shirts make sure that they have been washed

Make either out of paper a pattern 17 x17 inches.. or go to your local glass shop for a 1/4" plexi glass cut to 17 x17 smooth edges.. Make sure you tell the glass shop that it must be 17 x17 for the finish product.

If the t-shirt has writing on both the front and the back .. sit the shirt up the sides so you have one big piece. Take the pattern and place on the t-shirt to get what you want in it . same with the back.
Cut the shirts making sure that the neck is not in the pattern.

After all is cut.. cut fusing to the same size of the shirts either the 17 x 17 or what have you.. The iron it on the wrong side of the t shirts. this make the t-shirt more stable than just the shirt..

Then put them in the order you like .I did three across and five down.. Then Start to sew..Putting the right sides together till you have a strip of three across.. then take batting and cut into a strip of 17 " wide or what have you by how long the strips are.. Do this for the rest of the strips..

You should now have a full strip of t-shirts and full sheet of batting that you are using.. Now for the back. You can get fleece and cut it into strips of 17" X 60 " wide or do the same for the back as the front.

Now you should have three strips.. front, batting , back.. now take back, batting, front together and sew it around all sides..then take right side together of backing and batting on to the bottom of the quilt the piece you just so and right side of the top .. sew together.. the layers from the bottom up , batting, back, back, batting, top, top..sew the seam ..then fold back the so you have second row back, batting, top. Keep doing it till the rows are done..

Note: if you want to quilt it.. do it by rows so that by the end of the quilt all is done.. All that is left it to put the binding on..I use 2" strip of black material making my own binding or you can buy blanket biding . The the quilt is done..
Now you can stay warm and have memories to share..

How to make a tie- blanket..

I have seen these on youtube and thought they were a great idea for xmas gifts. They were easy to make and time, wise was about 45 mins.  I found that you need a flat surface big enough to make.. I found that my Cal king size bed was the best to make it on. This was  for Adults ..

What you need for materials;
60" wide
2 yards of flannel
2 yards of flannel
I made it with two different flannel.. you could use one color but have them cut it.
As for how heavy a flannel .. I went fleece flannel..

Straight pins
scissors
ruler


Take your flannel place good side down , and good side up . then pin around the panel about 5 inches in all around.. then.. Cut off the curly parts and white strip down the 2 sides  long one
 Then take a ruler and start to make fringe.. I use 4" cuts about 1.5" wide.. when you get to the end when you cut the side in you will find that you make a square cut out , that's good... then you tie it.. going around till finish.. You can tie like a bow or you can tie like a knot.. I you the over and over knot.

If you want to make one for a child get 45" flannel ..
Hope you enjoy this

Tomato Sauce

In order to make this  I only use Roma Tomatoes or Plum Tomatoes. Any other kind of tomatoes are too watery. For about 15 tomatoes make 7 pints.

First you need to skin the tomatoes  to do this bring a pot of water to a boil then submerge the tomatoes about 7 at a time for about 10 mins the skins start to crack then it's time to put them into a ice cold bath. When the are cool to the touch start to peel them and place into a pot.

The above two pictures show what the waste is just the skins. When all are skin strain any water in the skin bowl into the pot.

Once you have all the tomatoes done and into a big pot . Star on low for about 15 mins.

 After 15 mins take a hand blender or potato masher and blend / mash till all is soft and cooked

Then boil again for about 30 mins. Stir an blend/mash till all soft. Then time to strain it . I use a pot strainer and spoon.

 This is all that is left of the seeds ( this is one is over 30 tomatoes )
Once all the juice is in the pot

Once you have just the juice  you can cook it down for sauce  make it to your liking the above three pictures are as follows. 1. sauce 2. tomatoe paste 2. pizza sauce.
As to how you get them is by how long it you want to cook the sauce. For number 1 I cook for about 1 hr . I add about 1 teaspoon of sea salt . For number 2   I cook for about 2 hr on simmer till it gets to the paste stage.. I add 1 tsp of sea salt and 1 tsp of oregano . For number 3  about 1 tsp of sea salt I cook it for about 1.5 hrs. ( the time is bring to a boil for 10 mins then to simmer the rest of the time needed) You can add whatever you want to the sauce you control it...
Have fun

Orange Marmalade Jam

6 large oranges
1 med lemon
4 cups of water
4-8 cups of sugar

Makes about 12 pints.. The amount of jam is determined by the size of the oranges..
In big bowl take the oranges and peel the skins put to the side..cut up the oranges put in the bowl same to the lemon. then take the peels and skin the white stuff of with a knife with just the peel left cut into strips and dice.
Place all in the bowl with 4 cups of water.. Cover and leave in cool place over night .

When you are ready to make the jelly  measure out the orange mixture. Put in tall pan like a dutch oven.. Boil for 20 mins .. then mash the mixture with potato masher  or hand mixer till mix well ..  Remember the cups you measure then for every cup of orange mixture add one cup of sugar.. If it goes to 6 cups I'll cook it then taste it if it needs more sugar then add the extra cups.. then boil for 30 mins stir every few minutes. If the mixture become fluffy cut down the heat..  cook until it get to the jelly stage about 30 mins. then place in  hot jars and Waterbath for 15 mins..

How to make chunky salsa... canning it

To can salsa you need it to be hot.. as you are putting it in jars to be water bath process..

First you need a large pot maybe one that you make sauce in..
then 


12 plum tomatoes diced  ( I use plum as there is more meat to them)
2 large onions diced
4 jalapenos  diced  (with or without seeds mild without to hot with)


1/2 cup of diced garlic (I use jar mince garlic) if fresh about 2 heads if not more.


 1 cup lime juice
 1 teaspoon salt


Place all is large kettle and heat till comes to a boil.. then fill hot clean jars and cap process in the water bath for 15 mins for pints 30 for quarts.


I make my salsa as I would be eating it then and now.. so if  lime juice is to much for you use less .same as the salt I use less ..

How to make pickles

 Sweet and Savory pickles.
takes 2 days to make

To make these pickles you need the following:
Cucumbers about 4 large ones  cut into spears.. by the size of your jars or you can make chips whatever size you want.. thick or thin
vinegar 3 cups (I use white) you can use or types
sugar 3 cups
pickling spice 1 tsp per jar
Onions  large to make about 2 cup sliced/ or rings
pickle salt ( kosher salt)
ice

in bowl place cucumbers, onion mix well.. then take 1 cup of pickle salt ( kosher salt) mix well again I use my hands as it mixes well ..then take 3 cups of ice can be crushed or cubes. place on top of mixture . Then cover with a dish towel let sit over night..

The next day drain the mixture, rinse..  then in a sauce pan add the vinegar and sugar and boil for 15 mins

Pack the clean hot jars with the pickle and onions leaving about 1/2 in to 1 in from the top of the jar then for each jar 1 tsp of pickle spices in each jar then add the vinegar mixture fill to the top then take a spoon or knife and go along the jar to get the air bubbles out then  fill if needed.

Process in a water bath for 20 min for quarts or 10 min for pints
set a side for 2 weeks in cool dark place .
Enjoy

A few things that might help

I have been doing my family tree since a High School project back in 1976. Yes that is a long time. With the internet things have gone faster but when will I end.. Never .. As records go on line more information come up.. It took me till 2004 to find out where my father father was born that was only after a relative died.

Some families mine included did not want information to get out to other people me included.. but I kept going.I keep a notebook of information I need  as birth death etc. When I go to a family function I ask the question. Some will not talk to you others will talk your ear off.. Try to remember stories told to you by a grandparent or Aunt they come in handy .Keep a note on the stories or record them for later to included in family tree book .

The following is a great place to find passenger information
 http://www.castlegarden.org/,http://www.ellisisland.org,
for another free site for information
https://www.familysearch.org/

A lot of family information is out there.. but take it all with a grain of salt as the saying goes. Research the information that is posted on line. They should have source where they get the information  : death information etc.  If there is no source than I would not trust it.

With any information that you get say birth record they might have the parents names on it where they were born  .Some of the older ones before 1930 might say only the country they were born in..So you ask yourself well where can I find this information. Try the Social Security index.. On SSI records you might get lucky and find the town. Also the draft cards from 1940's is also a good place to find information.
all for now happy Hunting