When I did my fish quilt, I collected 12 shirts which was way more than enough for an almost king size. Think of how many fat quarters you could get out of each part of the shirt - sleeves and yoke, 2 plus. Fronts, 2. Back, 2 plus. I cut the sleeves and armpit areas way off, as we all know most sweaty areas wear thin first and lose color sometimes.

I would start of by getting all shirts. That would help with color arrangement and the decisions for extra blocks. Just remember that you could use back, front and sleeves of each shirt.

Don't forget to use the accent pieces like the parts with buttons, zippers, the western shirt front points, even the brand tags to personalize the quilt. I am sure you will do an outstanding job and she will love it. Hugs to you and your family.

You will find a quick way to deconstruct the shirts at Bonnie Hunters Blog that will save you time. She also has two books just for shirts. From experience; all shirts aren't great for quilts. Shirts make a great backing when pieced together.

I think the reason I like making QOV quilts is because I have the freedom to use my own imagination. The only thing I’m limited to is the size.
I was disappointed today when Jenny came over with Douglas’shirts and says she just wanted a 4 patch or 9 patch block with sashing. I told her I’d probably have to get a white fabric or solid light color fabric to set off the blocks. She says no light color. I have no idea how this will look with dark sashing as his shirts are dark colored. I am less than thrilled to make this but it will be her quilt and I probably will never see it again once I’m through.
She has seen other quilts I have made and I offered to make something more complex but still she just wants something simple. I separated his shirts into groups . He has about 18 I think of a thinner cloth and 18 of a thicker like a twill. I deconstructed all the pieces but am ripping the yokes off, the pockets too. I think leaving a pocket here and there would be neat but she may not like.
Before I cut my squares I am going to be sure I understand exactly what she wants. We have to decide a backing too and she probably hasn’t thought of that.
I don’t want to do anything she wouldn’t want with his shirts but I sure rather have free rein to be creative. Oh well, I may or may not show you the finish.....,

First of all I am so sorry about your brother in law Toogie.

With regard to the shirt quilt, I did one for my Dad when he died for Mum and it was all in simple blocks with red, black, white and blue. I only used four of his shirts and bought the blue for ashing.

I'll attach a picture of it. Mine was not a big one more of a lap quilt. In the picture it isn't finished off with the binding. Love Chris

Hi Toogie. How about using a fusible iron on mesh stabilizer for the thinner shirt pieces to give some body. Good luck with this project. Hugs. Nan

So sorry to hear your brother died... My sympathies to you and the family. Hope you can get the quilt figured out. Prayers are with you all. Suzanne

I'd recommend you look at Joscountryjunction.com blog (Jo Kramer) She has done several and I am not a fan of using old shirts but I did like the way she used them. She and her daughter have had several of their designs in various quilt magazines. Good luck I'm sure whatever you do decided will turn out beautiful.

I'm so so sorry. How about Broken Wagon Wheel. You can add white fabric and use multiple small pieces so that you get pieces from as many shirts as she furnishes.

Just spent ages writing a reply which has vanished... so good luck and I know what ever you produce will be outstanding

I am sorry to hear of you loss of a family member. What a lovely tribute it will be to make her a quilt of his shirts.

Nothing says that all the blocks have to be the same size. You might just sort the fabrics by different sizes and then decide what to make and how much extra fabric you might need.

I did one for my sister-in-law that passed away I did not have many colors to choose from, I did a crazy patch I could get more from the fabric I had to work with. I could then make the blocks the size I wanted ,( pm )me if you need help with making a crazy patch pattern.

So sorry for your loss. May God bless you all. i made some with hearts.

Sorry for your loss.
Look at this blog, some realy nice http://quiltingdigest.com/quilts-from-mens-shirts/
https://patwig.wordpress.com/tag/recycled-clothes/

http://rachaelrabbit.blogspot.com/2014/07/memorial-quilt-mens-cotton-shirt-quilt