Pattern info for this project can be found here:
Custom Instructions
Instructions
Take the t-shirt and cut off the neck and the sleeves. Then cut down the two sides. I cut out a larger square then I need - just to be safe that I have enough material. Make sure all the t-shirts are cut down before beginning the next step. I make sure I measure each t-shirt I cut down so I know what the smallest size I can work with and have them all come out evenly. Sometimes I sew parts of the t-shirts together, like if I wanted a saying from the back of the t-shirt (or a pocket piece) but did not want it to be an actual square - to condense it - I will sew it to the front - below the wording - if I have room. I then cut out a square of the fusible fleece and fuse the t-shirt to it. I then cut it down so there are no raw edges and it is even all around. I make sure all the squares are the same dimensions before I begin the next step. If you want to quilt on the t-shirt, now is the time to do it - quilt the t-shirt once it is attached to the fusible fleece -( it is too hard to quilt on top of the t-shirt once the batting and back are added, especially since I just have an ordinary sewing machine - nothing fancy). Next, I add the sashing in between the squares - you either go up and down to make a row or across to make a row...it really doesn't matter which way you do it, but once a row is completed add the sashing to the entire row (bottom or side - depending which way your row goes). Then repeat... the trick is to be sure that the rows match up and the sashings are straight, so when you quilt all you have to to is run along the sashing line. Once all the rows are completed you can then sandwich the batting and the back. I pin mine down with large safety pins and then begin the quilting. Starting from the middle of the quilt I run down the sashing line to the end, and then turn it and do the other side. Then flip it and start back at the middle and run down the sashing line to the end and turn it and do the other side. [If you are lucky enough to have a long-arm machine then you can quilt it differently.] Then I go to the next row near the middle and repeat...continuing in this way until the entire quilt is done. I find it is too hard to actually quilt on top of the t-shirts at this point. Next cut off the raw edges and the batting that is sticking out. Then add the quilt binding tape and you are done, or IN THIS CASE - I kept some of the backing - and just flipped it over to the front and mitered the edges and sewed it down - no need for any quilt binding tape.Take the t-shirt and cut off the neck and the sleeves. Then cut down the two sides. I cut out a larger square then I need - just to be safe that I have enough material. Make sure all the t-shirts are cut down before beginning the next step. I make sure I measure each t-shirt I cut down so I know what the smallest size I can work with and have them all come out evenly. Sometimes I sew parts of ... Read full instructions »Difficulty:
T-shirts, cotton materials for the sashings, fleece for the back, fusible fleece to stablizie the T-shirts, thread, sewing supplies & tools.
What was your inspiration?
A friend of my sister. She wanted a quilt with all of the t-shirts from her son. The middle row is the small pieces I cut from either the pockets or sleeves. The two outer rows have the fronts and backs of the same T-Shirt (team name on front - number on back).
What are you most proud of?
How well received the quilt was! She loved it.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
Use the fusible fleece to bind the T-shirts. It gives them more stability and holds their shape better. On this particular quilt - I did not use the quilt binding tape, I had the back larger and folded the material over and then sewed it down - making mitered corners.
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