Thursday, August 25, 2016

REVIEW: Project Repat (& GIVEAWAY)

What do you do with all of your race shirts? 


If you're like me, you have TONS of them! Most of them ill-fitting and never worn (some still have the tags on them)... But even though I don't wear them, they're treasured possessions; reminders of what I've accomplished. Still, mine have been sitting in multiple piles on the closet floor, waiting for SOMETHING to be done with them! And THAT is where Project Repat comes in!

My most recent 30 race tops turned into a gif by my talented hubby

If you've been around for a while, you know that the funny thing is, that the gif above features just some of my shirts from the past two-ish years. You see, back in October of 2014 I sent my first round of shirts to Project Repat. Well, a couple weeks ago I realized my piles were getting a bit out of control again, so it was time to reach out to the experts and turn my hoard collection into something I would actually use.


The process of sending your shirts to Project Repat is easy-breezy! First, select the size blanket you would like to make (I had about 35 race shirts {and have since added a few more to the stack}, so thought I would go with the "Full" size since it requires 30 sides to make). Then pick the color of PolarTec fleece for the back of the blanket (I opted for grey). Finally, select the size of the "squares" (the standard size is 12"x12", but they do have specialty blankets you can do with 8"x8" or 14"x14"). After that, pay for the blanket. Like I said, very straight forward and painless!
The fun part is deciding which shirts to use and what order to put them in. Instead of a chronological order, I decided (with the help of my designer hubby) to lay them out by color. It took us a little while, seeing as I had so many shirts, but we finally decided on a pattern that was just right (trying to avoid areas that looked too dark, having too many runDisney shirts in one area, etc).


The first time I worked with Project Repat they sent you an eco-friendly bag you would use to mail your shirts to them in. Nowadays you are required to cover the cost of the mailing of your goodies (I ended up using one of the medium sized flat-rate box that the Post Office offers - it ended up costing $13.45 with the two-day priority shipping). Not a big deal, but knowing I would need to foot the bill, I decided to get rid of any excess weight by cutting the backs off of my shirts. 



To help Project Repat with the process, they ask that you provide the "side" of the shirt you would like to use (if the shirt has images on both sides). Since most of my race shirts had sponsors on one side and the race image on the other I went through and cut the shirts so there would be no confusion (as well as there would be less weight to ship). [NOTE: YOU ARE NOT CUTTING THEM IN THE 12"x12" SIZE, JUST SPLITTING THE SHIRT IN TWO.]

I cut a template out of cardboard to make sure the panels I was sending were at
least 14 inches by 14 inches so that they would have the necessary size to work with.

Let's just say Walt the Wiener Dog loves this part of the process because he gets new "toys". We make the arms of the long-sleeve shirts into 'ropes' for him to chew on and play tug-a-war with. He has quite the "ruff" life, right?!


I was on the phone the other day and turned around to THIS!
Walt was wearing one of the "ropes" on his head like braids!

The next step is the hardest... Shipping your shirts. No, the physical process is not hard, just put them in a box with your receipt and a picture of the layout you would like and mail them. I was just worried that I might lose my shirts forever (and no amount of insurance on the package would get those memories back if they were lost in transit).

What you need to include: shirts, colored picture of layout, receipt with bar code 

A little excitement mixed with a little fear dropping off my package
at my local post office!

Oh yeah, and the waiting game. Don't get me wrong, Project Repat hand cuts and sews all of the shirts, so a labor of love like this takes times, but I was anxious to get the blanket back. It normally takes approximately 3-4 weeks once they receive your shirts for your blanket to make its journey back to you (of course with the holidays fast approaching the wait time can be longer, although they do offer an expedited option if you are willing to pay the additional cost).

I shipped my shirts out on Tuesday afternoon (via a flat rate priority box for $13.45 from the USPS) and received an email from
Project Repat on Thursday morning that they had received my shirts.

I love that they kept me informed every step of the way! Definitely put my mind at ease!

It took about 2 weeks for my blanket to return (I placed my order on August 2nd, shipped my shirts on August 9th and received my blanket back on August 24th). And when I got it, I FELL IN LOVE!!

Wait, am I the only one so excited about packages that she draws with sidewalk
chalk to celebrate the delivery?! 

It was PERFECT! Since I had worked with Project Repat in the past I knew what to expect, but it is always a pleasant surprise when something rocks your socks and blows your expectations out of the water! Although you lay the shirts out on the floor before you send them and sort of know what the finished product will look like, they are mostly haphazardly placed. The blanket that is returned is so exact and AMAZING!



I do want to say - this is NOT a traditional quilt. One of the reasons that Project Repat can offer their services at a lower price is because they are not quilting or putting in backing into the piece (which can leave it feeling stiff). It is more of a blanket. And a blanket that is meant to be cuddled up in, used, loved and even washed (I mean, it is just shirts).

Snuggling on the porch with my new blankie

One last thing about the company as a whole. If you know me, you know I LOVE to support local companies, ones who keep their products in the USA, etc, which is exactly what Project Repat does!
Source

Although I never wore my race shirts, they were a "trophy" of mine. But let's be honest, they weren't doing anyone any good being in a big pile at the back of my closet. I can now say that they will get a lot of use and will see the light of day much more frequently.

Okay, okay, so enough of me bragging about how awesome my blanket turned out, now it's YOUR TURN to get your joy on! Project Repat has offered up ONE LUCKY READER a $110 gift card! This will get you a twin sized blanket or you could use it to take $110 off your final purchase price.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Just in case you don't win, I would HIGHLY recommend you still consider checking this company out! The deadline to send in your shirts to guarantee you will get the blanket back for Christmas is September 1st. [If shirts arrive after 9/1, your t-shirt quilt won't be guaranteed to you until Jan/Feb 2017 or you will have to pay a $30 rush fee for Christmas delivery.] PLACE AN ORDER TODAY! And if you decide to place an order before the end of the year, use discount code "Carlee2016" and save 25% off your order! 


Now to start hoarding collecting shirts for my next blanket ;)

This giveaway runs through Wednesday, August 31st at 11:59pm PST. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Rafflecopter account and has 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected (I don't want you missing out due to a technicality).


Good luck to everyone who enters and remember to enter early & often as some of the options are available daily!


75 comments:

Rhett said...

I have a drawer in my dresser committed for running stuff, but it's already flowing over into a second one. Something like Project Repat would be a cool way to repurpose my running memories into a usable item!

Unknown said...

There are many race shirts that I wear continually (specifically the long-sleeve runDisney ones), but most don't fit, so I have stash of shirts ready for another blanket!

Krissy said...

I've used Project Repat in the past and love them! So, I save shirts for my next one, and the shirts I don't love as much get donated :) WIN WIN <3

Holly N said...

I've been wondering what to do with mine! Great idea!

Unknown said...

I guess I haven't ran enough races that I have TOO many race shirts so far. Maybe only like 9 are floating around, but I actually rotate most of them into my wardrobe. But I have A TON of bodybuilding shirts from expos and the like that don't fit right or aren't that flattering. I think this project repat is a sweet idea to make something cool out of a fun memory without adding to the bulk in my drawers. I'll have to check it out.

Unknown said...

I've been wanting to do this with my race shirts for years but have been really nervous because I only see the reviews on their website. So nice to hear its great quality from an unbiased source. Thank you!

Smash Runner said...

I have SOOOO Many running shirts this would be absolutely perfect!!!!!

Mrs. D said...

What a fun idea!! I have high school shirts I would do this with too!!

Danielle said...

I have 3 race shirts I actually wear, and a few hanging in my closet that I "might" wear, but don't. The rest are in a pile. I just can't get myself to get rid of them.

Jen said...

I've cut mine up to try to sew them myself. Would love someone else to do the work!

gowafflego said...

I currently have all my race t-shirts rolled up in a under-the-bed storage bin. With running runDisney challenges you come out with 4 of them each time! (or more if you are Dopey). I always said I was going to get a quilt made out of them.

Jen said...

I've cut mine up to try to sew them myself. Would love someone else to do the work!

Renee (Runnergirl1612) said...

My Dad had one made and I would love to add well. A great memory of past raced.

Heather @ www.Heathersmean.com said...

I ordered one after I was trying to declutter my home and it was amazing. I can't wait to do it again with all the race shirts that I keep piling up :)

Caroline said...

I keep only the ones I liked and donate the rest! I would love to do something like this with my college shirts, though!

Jenna Anselmo said...

I wear a handful of my race shirts, but the majority of them just end up in a drawer. I really love the idea of making them a blanket! This would also be a really great idea for all my husband's band/concert shirts!

Disney_Bride said...

We have several boxes in the closet full of race shirts. The plan is to make a quilt, but I think we have enough for several quilts by now!

Angela L said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Angela L said...

I wear a lot of my race t-shirts. I however, have a really hard time parting with all the t-shirts I got in college! I have a drawer FULL of them but they never get worn. This would be a fantastic way to preserve my memories!

Unknown said...

I wear some of them when I run and the ones I don't wear are stacked in my closet.

ivieanne said...

Can I just say that I'm obsessed with your photos! haha.
We have a box put aside for something like this, otherwise I've donated the ones that I don't mind giving up!

KookyRunner said...

I used Project Repat last year and I was so pleased with the result!

Jamie said...

So fun! I love the finished product!!!!

Amy Lauren Scott said...

I've always wanted to do one of these quilts. All of my t-shirts are sitting in a reusable bag in my closet right now.

Unknown said...

Oh this is so cool! I have so many race shirts that don't fit anymore but I don't want to just throw them away!

Dr. Kath said...

If it's a race that I don't have emotional attachment to, I just donate the shirt. But I have a ton of shirts I don't wear yet can't part with, so I love this idea!

Betsy Keith said...

I wear some, and some just sit in my closet, waiting for something to be done with them :D

Unknown said...

Mine are currently sitting in two HUGE pages waiting to be sent off to Project Repat! :)

Amy Nairin said...

They are tucked in a drawe by color. I use them for training runs.

Chelsea B. said...

Thanks for sharing. This is a great idea. We actually have tubs under our spare bed that is filled with old race shirts, bc we do not want to part with them but we also do not want to wear them anymore.

erindegroff said...

My race shirts are overflowing a tub in my closet. This would be perfect for me! I can't stand to part with any of them, either :)

Ben and Jack's Momma said...

This is marvelous!! My races tees are jammed into a drawer...which is too full!! Love the blanket!

Gbena said...

Just signed up for this giveaway!!! I need to get this done!!! :)

Di said...

Some I wear, some sit in my closet or drawers. I am planning on using Project Repat to make a blanket.

selah said...

Some I wear, my mom had quite a few made into a real quilt for me, and I have quite a stack I've collected since then and have considered having another quilt/blanket made, so this would be nice to win!

AER-Runs said...

Right now I store all of my old t-shirts in a box in my closet except for a few that I wear when I work out. I'd love to turn them into a blanket!

Unknown said...

i wear them

Tracy said...

I would love to turn my race shirts into a blanket! Out of the 20, I do wear a few of mine, but most are in a pile in my dresser.

Sarah Pontician said...

I rarely wear my race tees, unless they are the ones I bought because I loved, so they mostly just sit in a pile in my closet, but all of my medals are proudly displayed! Your blanket looks amazing!

Emily S said...

My hubby and I have drawers full of race t-shirts that we've been talking about making into a blanket so this is a great idea!

Katrin L said...

I just keep all my race tees in a drawer to rewear or donate the ones I accumulate annually. But I've always wanted to do something like this, I just didn't have the crafty ability so this sounds perfect!

Gabriella said...

I only have one running shirt so far...but several other meaningful ones from school and volunteer. They hold a lot of meaning but sadly are stuck in the dresser most of the time because the fits aren't great. Would love to win this!

As good as it Gets! said...

I am so doing this! I have a pile of shirts that I can't part with, but I almost never wear. This is such a great idea and so happy to see the quality of the product.

Thanks Carlee!

Anonymous said...

They all get shoved into a drawer mostly

Brandi Goff

Unknown said...

I have soooo many shirts stacked in my closet, this would be perfect!

Julie said...

some I wear but most are folded in a storage container

AlRo said...

Thanks for the code! I've been planning on doing this forever!

Jessica said...

I LOVE this idea! I don't have nearly as many race shirts as you, and most of them are that tech material so I don't wear them regularly anyways, so this would be the PERFECT way to keep the memories but lose the clutter!

Sadie said...

I wear most of my race shirts.
Sadie B.

Unknown said...

I have mine already cut and ready! I was trying to decide who to use for this project!

Anya said...

Like you (and most people!) I just hoard them, treasure them, and mostly never wear them. I just can't get rid of them! Something like this would be wonderful.

MollyKingsley said...

I wear most of my race shirts, I just can't resist! If I really love one I try not to wear it as much so it doesn't wear out!

Breathe Deeply and Smile said...

Sadly they are all sitting around and I JUST decided to get a Project Repat project but am going to wait to place my order until after your giveaway in case I win :) A blanket is better since now I don't really run or workout in race shirts unless I really like them.

Misti said...

I have mine in a pile for this very project. I usually make my own because hello, one can never have enough snugly blankets

Unknown said...

I've been contemplating doing something like this for awhile now! I love the idea of giving some daily love and attention to those shirts that are at the bottom of my drawer or back of my closet.

Bianca @ Mitten Runner said...

Great review! I have a pile of shirts in my closet waiting for this exact purpose!! My grandpa had a ton of old races shirts that he didn't wear anymore and so I asked him if I could 'repurpose' them for him. He had no idea what that meant, but gave me a box of them. I sent them to Project Repat too and my grandpa LOVED his t-shirt quilt. His reaction was priceless! :)

shopgirl said...

I just keep them piled up under my bed - not a good sour ion! This blanket would be much better - it's gorgeous!

Beth R said...

I have so many t-shirts and this would allow me to keep them. My husband said they would make rags.

Shannon said...

Some of my race shirts, I wear on training runs. Others are just kind of piled up in a drawer. A blanket would definitely be better for memories!

Juliana said...

I wear my race shirts while training and sometimes as part of costumes! I am getting to the point where there are getting to be too many

ZumbaShell said...

I wear a few. The rest are in a closet. This is awesome!

Amanda M said...

Such a fun idea! It will put all of those shirts to better use than sitting in my drawer for sure!

Unknown said...

I put all my race shirts in a bag, that is in a closet. I don't normally wear them after that race weekend.

Amber Ludwig said...

Save them!! I did have a quilt made from shirts from when my dad passed away and I adore it!!

*krystyn* said...

Saving up my shirts to make a quilt of course!!

Tania said...

This is awesome!! I would love to get my shirts off my closet and use them as a blanket instead!!

Jenn13.1 said...

I definitely need to do this with my race shirts. I feel like I have them all over my house, even though I rarely wear them.

Audrey said...

This is awesome! I have been wanting to do this forever!

Abigail said...

Ive sewn a couple into tote bags but this is way more fun!

Stephanie Wien said...

Wear them on runs or stuck them in a drawer

Kristen said...

I don't run races, but my friends who do seem to wear them (at least some of them) on their days off. We have plenty of tees to make into a quilt though!

renata said...

All my extra t-shirts that I do not wear afterwards I donate to friends in need or those less fortunate than I at my local church.

Tara said...

I have a drawer completely dedicated to race shirts. This would be a great way to clear it out and make room for new ones.

Meg said...

Right now all of my race tees are in a box under the bed in my spare bedroom.

caroline said...

What a cool idea! I've been wearing them, or they end up at the bottom of one of my drawers...