When Houstonian Patrick Ryan graduated from the University of Texas a few years ago, he had close to three dozen affinity T-shirts (many from his membership in Silver Spurs) that he just couldn't part with. So he borrowed an idea from his sister's roommate and made a souvenir quilt out of them.

Fresh idea and soon enough, a business was born, T-Shirt Quilts Houston LLC.

Back in 2006, Ryan was the first in Houston proper and one of about only 10 website enterprises in the nation hoping to capitalize on college students' penchant for T-shirts and team spirit — be that team a sports group, sorority or fraternity. Even those who participate regularly in marathons (a T-shirt for every race) would be potential customers.

Some 200 quilts later, Ryan and his business partner, Camila Aramayo, are poised to take the concept to area high schools. Why not make mementos out of those sentimental Memorial High or Stratford T-shirts rather than dust cloths?

If the business dominoes in Houston, the duo is prepared to spread their work to major frat/college sports cities such as Austin and Dallas.

Ryan began his endeavor as a strictly on-line/mail order operation. He soon found that people were too attached to their tees to ship them off a faceless entity. Today, he and Aramayo operate out of a house on Sunset where clients can take their T-shirts and discuss the various options and layouts.

"We've made quilts for girls who've had 150 T-shirts. I'm serious," Ryan said.

The quilts, which are actually more comforter than quilt because there is no decorative stitching, come in various sizes ranging from 3X3, priced at around $150, to 6X7, priced at $500.

They recently completed a double-sided quilt for a University of Houston swim team member with T-shirts on both front and back of the quilt. Individuals can choose the fabrics be it flannel, fleece, seersucker or high-quality bed sheet in various colors.

Turnaround for the typical quilt is seven to 10 days.