Little bees (click for detail)
Have you heard? They're not just for lounging anymore! I've been meaning to write a post on this topic for a while, but Amy and Anita's posts this weekend about Liberty boxer shorts at Target have prompted me to throw in my two cents on the subject.
Telephones
I've long been a fan of interesting figural prints and for years, a great source for offbeat smalls has been men's boxer shorts. I first considered the fabric possibilities when Molly was in high school and started buying them to wear as summer pjs. Whenever I found myself at the mall (admittedly seldom...not a big mall fan), I'd hit the Gap and JCrew to weed through their sale bins. Finally, a bright side to necessary errand trips! Although cheaper ones could be found, the fabric quality at these stops was always the best and I've scored some great prints over the years.
Pocket watches
Trying to get full value for my dollar, I usually approach the check-out with the biggest pairs I can find and ask, just in case, if my choices are the largest size available. I did this on the XXL pair below, asking, "Do these boxers come in a larger size?"
The salesgirl checked the tag, paused a minute and replied, "How big is he?"
ooh fun fabric. I hadn't thought of boxers on sale as a fabric source, but I can see the appeal now. love the telephones.
Posted by: Lazy Gal Tonya R | March 21, 2010 at 06:58 PM
Funny story :0) I like your boxer fabric - especially the bees. Have you made anything with your boxer fabric?
Posted by: janet | March 21, 2010 at 07:47 PM
As I was folding laundry this very evening, I showed K an adorable pair of boxers with puppies on them dating from the grand opening of Old Navy 15 years and three boys ago.
They are finally looking thread-bare.
My favorites at the moment are the digital camo pair and the ones with the crabs!
Posted by: blackbird | March 21, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Oooh, great shorts and great stories! I would have loved to be a fly on the wall to witness that salesgirl's response.
Posted by: Anita | March 21, 2010 at 10:05 PM
You're so Bad! But REALLY funny!!! I've never thought about cutting up boxers since I make them -- but what a great source for cute fabric. Thanks for the hot tip!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | March 21, 2010 at 10:56 PM
Clever girl!
Posted by: Kristin L | March 22, 2010 at 12:33 AM
what we won't do for fabric!
never thought of these as a fabric source before!
congrats on your win on my blog!!!!
send me your address so I can mail you your prize!
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | March 22, 2010 at 05:11 AM
If you ever combine the boxer prints into one quilt, you could name it "What's in your drawers?"
Posted by: Diane | March 22, 2010 at 06:40 AM
What a fabulous idea!!
And then I stop and think, shouldn't I make my own from quilt fabric, which can't use more than a yard, doncha think? Then I can leave out that awkward opening in the front.
Imagine wearing Kaffe Fassett to bed...
Posted by: Melody Johnson | March 22, 2010 at 09:53 AM
You crack me up. About 10 years ago my husband lost a bunch of weight so I had a surplus of too big for him boxer shorts. I made a king size quilt out of them. Just simple 14" squares. Fun and easy to make and quite the conversation piece.
Posted by: KT | March 22, 2010 at 01:59 PM
I can relate to trying to get the most fabric for your money! I have just recently stopped wearing size large t-shirts that I bought just for that reason. ahahah
Posted by: Cynthia | March 22, 2010 at 02:41 PM
Aren't you the smart girl? What a great idea for fabric!
Posted by: Diane | March 22, 2010 at 02:46 PM
Next time:
"How big IS he?"
"He's no doll quilt, I'll tell you what."
Great idea for fabric collectors and mall haters. The little boys boxers are especially adorable. Lots of surfboards and dirt bikes.
Posted by: Kay | March 22, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Too, too funny. I nearly choked on my vegemite toast. Being a shop assistant myself, I conjured up a vision of the BIG man you were shopping for. Then the quilter in me kicked in and I knew where you were going. I'll never look and mens underwear again without a secret chuckle.
Posted by: Jules | March 22, 2010 at 05:55 PM
VERY cute!! I'm obviously looking in the wrong stores for boxers for the hubby!
Sometimes, just to be saucy, he tells me that quilts should only be made from old clothes.
So I have been secretly saving his clean, worn boxers to make him a quilt some day. I'll have to start looking for a few more "choice" prints to add to it. :o)
Posted by: Teresa Rawson | March 23, 2010 at 07:28 AM
So we've moved on from shirts, skirts and dresses to boxer shorts!
Love it!
Am looking to have a serious rummage through the charity shops when I go back to the UK for 2 weeks in May and will have to add boxer shorts to the list.
Love the telephone fabric.
Posted by: Clare | March 23, 2010 at 07:50 AM
Boxer shorts are so tempting for fabric! I wanted to cut up the ones I found at Target last year. I still think about it when they go through the wash. Neat black and blue pinstripe and also a small black and blue paisley.
Teresa: I MAKE my husband's boxers most of the time and have been saving the extra pieces for a quilt for him. I'm not the only one thinking along that line!
Posted by: Wendy P | March 23, 2010 at 03:08 PM
HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH! Lucky you! You won the little quilt!!!!!!!! super! Will in Paris
Posted by: Will Vidinic | March 24, 2010 at 08:10 AM
LOL - you gotta give that girl credit for asking that question....if it were me I'd sure have fun with the answer!
When I trail through the car boots for shirts I'm also looking at the tags for xxxl...after all a pound a shirt better have as much fabric as possible! :o)
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | March 25, 2010 at 04:31 PM
I found some wonderful Lilly Pulitzer boxers a few months ago. Of course, I bought the biggest ones I could find in hopes of making something for my daughter. :)
Posted by: Chelley Black | May 11, 2010 at 06:03 PM