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.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 ... Read full instructions »Difficulty:
T-shirts, fusible fleece, materials for sashings, fleece for backing, batting and quilt binding.
What was your inspiration?
I have made several of these T-shirt quilts - I had to read a few different ways to make them, but I like the fusible fleece under the T-Shirt to form a more stable item. I tried to make one for myself a long time ago- and since have made very successful ones. Carrie's quilt measures 79" W x 98"L and Rita's quilt measures 54" W x 88" L.
What are you most proud of?
How happy it makes the individuals who receive them.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
Cut out the T-shirts larger than the squares you want to use. Bind the T-shirt square with fusible fleece, then cut it down - make sure all the squares are the same if you want it to come out even - otherwise, you will have to figure out how to get them all to fit. I used sashings inbetween the T-shirt squares - it was a sweatshirt material (close to the T-shirt and fusible fleece - so as not to have any dips in the quilt)-for Carrie's quilt - also for the back , but on Rita's quilt I used fleece.
I am working on a t-shirt quilt right now for my daughter. Once I have it all together, and suggestions on how to quilt it??? My squares are 12' , with 2' sashing in between. Thanks
you can try to quilt inside the t-shirt - but if there is a lot of paint or you find it's too hard to sew on the t-shirts - I would suggest just quilting around it and on the sashings
I have made several t-shirt quilts. I fuse lightweight interfacing to the back of the shirt pieces. This helps to keep it a little lighter. I also like to make block in between the rows up and down. It helps to keep the blocks straight.
yeah...I use the fusible fleece (pellon) on the back of the t-shirts...the sashings I used was a like a sweatshirt fabric - so it was just like already having the fusible fllece on the back of a t-shirt...it worked out so well..
I made my daughter one that had her high school t-shirts on the front (volleyball, basketball, track) and her club volleyball and college volleyball ones on the back. Since I couldnt match up by stitching in the ditch, I just tied it and she loves it. I was so excited on how it turned out, I am making one for myself with my husband & my RAGBRAI T-shirts. (RAGBRAI stands for Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa)
I made a t-shirt quilt from my husbands high school shirts, marine corp, and college shirts as a christmas gift. He loves it. I also had two pictures of him (One him in high school football uniform, and one of him in the Marines) and had them put on t-shirts and incorporated them into the quilt.
Can't wait to try this! I have a huge box of old Nascar and racing t-shirts. I have saved them for just this kind of project. Couldn't bear to get rid of them. Too much $ invested.
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