Project Repat : T-Shirt Quilt Review!

Hello Neighbors!

How's everyone doing today?  Not sure how many of you knew about this, but my Dad tore a tendon in his right arm the other day, so he has needed quite a bit of help doing things that he normally does with that arm.  He wasn't able to pick anything up, move it much without pain, etc.  So, we got him set up in his study with his recliner and ottoman, a heater and blanket (he LOVES having the heat way up), his books, etc.  We all have those times where we just want to cuddle up under a nice warm blanket, with a cup of tea/coffee, and a nice big book.  Don't we?  I have something that will make those times even more special.  A T-Shirt Quilt that is made by Project Repat, out of your personal t-shirts that have so many memories associated with them!

Before I get started telling you about this wonderful quilt, I want to take a minute to tell you about Project Repat...  "Amazed by all the incredible t-shirts that get sold off and sent overseas by non-profit and for-profit companies in America, we began working with Kenyan artisans to design new products out of castaway t-shirts, including bags, scarves, and re-fabricated t-shirts.  Those products were "repatriated" (or returned to the country of origin) back to the United States and sold to raise money for non-profits working in East Africa.  When trying to sell of upcycled products at markets in Boston, we quickly discovered the differenve between a "good idea" and a real business : while potential customers like the idea of a repatriated upcycled t-shirt bag, they didn't like it enough to actually buy iy.  What customers did ask for, time and time again, was an affordable t-shirt quilt.  We had heard enough : instead of shipping goods all around the country, why not creat fair wage jobs in the United States, and creat a product that has a lot of meaning for customers?  As they say, the rest is history.  Rather than 'repatriating' t-shirts back to the United States, Project Repat creats a high quality, affordable t-shirt quilt with minimum carbon impact that 'repatriates' textile jobs back to the United States."

 Okay, this quilt is fantastic!  But, before I get into describing our quilt, let me tell you how easy it is to order a t-shirt quilt of your own.

1. Head on over to the Project Repat website.  Once you get there you can choose the size of your quilt (lap, twin, full, queen, or king), the size of your panels, and the color of the PolarTec Fleece that is on the back of your quilt (magenta, red, light blue, black, navy blue, or gray) - super soft, I promise!  I chose the standard panel size, a twin size quilt, and I chose to have the backing black (although I was tempted to get another color, I figured this wouldn't show dirt quite as easy).  
2. You will receive an email with very descriptive instructions regarding preparing and shipping the shirts that you want made into a quilt.  My sister and I actually cut off the backs of the t-shirts, just so that the shipping cost was less, but you really don't need to unless if you want both the back and the front of a shirt in the quilt.  Also remember, the customer service is there to help you-- if you have a questions, just ask!  They will be glad to help you I'm sure.  Once you have your shirts packaged, just ship them out and voila - your part of the work is done.  
3. There really isn't a third step except to wait until you get the notice that they have received your shirts, and then to just sit back and wait for your personalized t-shirt quilt to arrive (usually 2-3 weeks).  

Isn't that easy?!?  We sure thought so!  Now, to tell you about ours... it is so wonderful.  We decided to make it a family quilt that would go in the living room, so just about everybody "donated" at least one t-shirt to be put in the quilt.  We chose some very special t-shirts that had a lot of memories with them.  As soon as the quilt arrived everybody gathered around to see it.  There were gasps of appreciation as it was unfolded... everybody was thrilled!  It now stays out in the living room, and we pull it out anytime we are reading, playing games, watching something together, etc.  There have been a couple of fights over who gets to use it, or even who gets which end/because people wanted to have the portion that included certain t-shirts.  Yes, it really has happened.

So, now that I have told you how awesome Project Repat (and our quilt) is, head on over to the Project Repat website and order your own... you will not be disappointed at all!  They would make great gifts for just about anybody I can think of.  You can also Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter to stay up to date on their latest news, quilts, etc.  

I received no monetary compensation for this review.  I did receive one product for review purposes only.  All thoughts and opinions are mine.  All text in red is taken from the sponsor's website.