About this project
Have you ever pondered the t-shirt? Turns out it was invented in the US in the 19th century and somewhere between then and now the t-shirt became a staple of nearly every closet or dresser drawer in America. Not only that, but it has become a common form of self-expression. Your t-shirt is basically a billboard about who you are and what you’re into.
I've been making t-shirt quilts for the past 4 years and it still amazes me that people can have SO MANY t-shirts! I didn't start making t-shirt quilts with a business in mind, it just happened out of necessity... people heard I could help them save their shirts in a creative way and so I did.
I've seen a lot of t-shirts and I've met a lot of people and learned about them through these t-shirts. And, seriously? It's fascinating. T-shirts are often a symbol for some major accomplishment or a physical representation of a memorable event. Believe it or not, I’ve seen people shed tears when telling me about their t-shirt collection.
So, I had this realization that my quilts have very little to do with craftiness and style and more to do with the t-shirts themselves. I want to explore this idea on a 6 week trip around the country. I want to meet t-shirt designers and distributors and every day people who are just out wearing their favorite t-shirt on the street. It will be part t-shirt documentary, part fashion blog for the average Joe.
The beauty of this project? Everyone can get involved! Anyone might soon find themselves featured on the blog – all you have to do is run into me and my camera walking down the street in your hometown. To make it even easier, you can support this project and get on our mailing list. Also, follow us on Twitter and Facebook to get up to date information regarding our whereabouts.
As a thank you for supporting this project, we have some really fun prizes. You can learn more about the prizes on our blog www.niceshirtamerica.com.
The most important thing that I hope to accomplish from the Kickstarter funding opportunity is to get you involved somehow. If you can’t help monetarily, please share this project with your friends – especially those you know who hold a special place in their hearts for t-shirts. And we really want to meet you on our trip! Hopefully we can share an evening of karaoke and a few drinks or a picnic lunch in some mid-western field.
Thank you for your support! See you soon.
Britta
FAQ
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Starting in Washington state and then off to Yellowstone, Denver, Kansas City, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Nashville, Austin, Santa Fe, Flagstaff, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and everywhere in between!
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 15, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
We will think of you as we sing "Thank you for being a friend..." (you know, the one from Golden Girls) as we set out on our trip!
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
You'll be added to our BFF email list. We'll let you know where we're hanging out on the road so you can join us for a beer, some karaoke, or badmitton game! And because we're such close friends, we'll send you a postcard along our trip.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
All of the above plus we'll also send you a 3 pack of friendship bracelets made from recycled t-shirts.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
America is full of t-shirts, and you're going to get one! It might be tye-dyed. It might be vintage. It might be from a gas station. One thing's for sure - it will be awesome and something you won't find in your town. And don't be surprised if we add some personal touches to jazz it up a little.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
Get out there and find some of America's best t-shirts yourself! We'll send you the Nice Shirt, America kit including an instant camera, a Nice Shirt, America notebook, a few business cards (so you can look legit), and a pack of recycled t-shirt friendship bracelets. Post your photos to our flickr group and we'll post them up on the blog!
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
We'll take a t-shirt from a state along our trip and turn it into art you can hang on your wall! The front of the t-shirt will be cut into it's corresponding state shape and hand-sewn on an 11x17 poster, ready to be framed!
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Do you want to meet up with us and show off your t-shirts? We'll stop by your hometown and have a photo shoot with you and your friends. We'll set up a photo booth sort of situation at a random location in your town and then we'll spend some time getting shots of you and your friends in their favorite t-shirts. Please email us first (niceshirtamerica@gmail.com) to be sure that your location is on our route!
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
We'll take a t-shirt from a state along our trip and turn it into a tote bag. Not only that, but we'll throw a few unique treasures from that state into the bag as well. We'll also send you a postcard or two while we're on the road.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
If you have a large t-shirt collection that is begging to be made into a quilt and you want to give it a shot, DIY style, this prize is a t-shirt quilting kit. Everything you need to make your own t-shirt quilt is included (except a sewing machine), even my phone number so you can call for help if you need it. You will also get a CD of some of our favorite road-trip music to listen to while you're working on that quilt!
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
A 2 hour craft party for you and 2 friends in your home! We'll teach you everything you need to know about making a t-shirt quilt. We'll provide you and each of your guests with a take home instruction manual and the tools you need to get the job done. (Please note, this party must take place along our travel route at a time convenient to our schedule. Contact us first if you are unsure about this!)
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
We'll make you a t-shirt quilt out of your personal t-shirt collection! We'll also send you a t-shirt or two from the road (we don't want you to be without any t-shirts to wear after your quilt has been made!) as well as a postcard from our trip.
Pledge $700 or more Pledge $700 or more
After our trip is complete, you will receive a queen size quilt (or smaller if requested) made of t-shirts we have collected from the road. That's at least 30 t-shirts made into a quilt!! You will also get a professionally printed scrapbook of our favorite t-shirt photos and notes from our adventure.
Project By
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I make t-shirt quilts and blog about it at www.myqueenbquilts.com. I also blog about my life as a small business owner/entreprenuer as well as my life living in the Pacific Northwest at kickstandk.blogspot.com. You can find out even more about what I'm up to at www.BrittaFolden.com.
