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-   -   How do I make a quilt out of T shirts? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/how-do-i-make-quilt-out-t-shirts-t233922.html)

mjsylvstr 11-04-2013 04:54 PM

I made one a few years ago for my son from his many Harley Davidson shirts..and I used the book, "TOO COOL TSHIRT QUILTS"
It was a really good book with good instructions. The site is www.toocooltshirtquilts.com
they give instructions for many sizes….I went to Lowes and had them cut plexiglass for the templates….
it took awhile but I was in no hurry…….
and the final project was loved by my son….and that make it all worth while
yes, you must use a fusible interfacing. good luck.

KLO 11-04-2013 05:02 PM

That "toocooltshirtquilts" site is great. Loved looking at the photos of completed quilts. I really like the ones that are sort of scattered and in different sizes all over the quilt. I have been saving up shirts just for this purpose. Thanks mjsylvstr for that link. Good luck to all who are making or getting ready to make one of these. They would certainly make a great graduation gift.

nlpakk 11-04-2013 06:40 PM


Originally Posted by quiltstringz (Post 6386877)
If the regular interfacing is too stiff for you look for one for knits. I use French Fuse most of the time and it has worked great

Yes there is a fusible that's made out of fabric like your underwear or slip(can't remember the name of it), you put the stretch of the interfacing opposite of the stretch of the shirt. I used mostly that when I made my t-shirt quilt. I found the woven to be too stiff. If my picture isn't too big, I will try to post a picture of the quilt.

Treasureit 11-04-2013 06:44 PM

I think you want NON-WOVEN Lt weight Pellon fusible interfacing.

nlpakk 11-04-2013 06:46 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Here is a picture of my t-shirt quilt![ATTACH=CONFIG]444977[/ATTACH]

Sharoncignoni 11-04-2013 07:36 PM

Thanks for posting the tips because my niece was very active in volley ball and my brother asked if I could make a quilt out of her team shirts. I was thinking of doing application around the focus from the shirts but your suggestions
would be much easier.

paoberle 11-05-2013 04:03 AM

I have made two. Wash the t-shirts and do not use any fabric softener. Before sewing the t-shirts must be stabilized using a lightweight fusible interfacing. I then square up my designs so there is a one-inch margin around the design and then, using all sorts of quilting material, add strips around each t-shirt to produce a 15-inch square. I may have 2 or 3 t-shirts in a block if they are small and if the design is large I may not have any added material around a t-shirt.

jmoore 11-05-2013 04:03 AM


Originally Posted by Tartan (Post 6385381)
I have not done one but it is recommended that the T-shirts have a fusible interfacing ironed to the back. This makes them more stable and less likely to stretch. There are a number of great t-shirt quilts on QB if you use the search box.

I purchased a very handy book called "You did What?? With my T-Shirts" and a yard and a half of fusible interfacing at a quaint little quilt shop on one of my visits to Vacaville, California. I have not started mine yet, but will get one done this winter.

cajunowl 11-05-2013 04:14 AM

I have made four t-shirt quilts. the first one, I used fusible interfacing. It made the quilt very heavy. It also gummed up my sewing machine and needle. A friend told me that she made her t-shirt quilts by using the back portion of the t-shirt as a stabilizer. This has worked fairly well for me. There is a little stretching, so have to be careful when sewing the sashes. There are different types of fusible interfacing, so if you take this route, try several. Also, after I finished making the t-shirt quilts, I made a rag quilt with the bottom of the t-shirts that were cut off. experiment with different fusing, or try one without to see which works best for you. I also used stitch in the ditch to bring all layers together.

GailG 11-05-2013 04:40 AM

I've made several tee shirt quilts. The first ones were not interfaced and machine quilting was difficult...had to finish up with either hand quilting or tying. (SITD around all of the sashing was easy, but working over the tee shirts was something else) The last one I made was interfaced but too large to do on my DSM so I had it done by a long armer. She did a gorgeous job. Someone mentioned the tricot interfacing. It's lightweight but the stretch is not totally contained. I found the best interfacing has been either the featherweight or the lightweight Pellon. Having a teflon presser foot helps in going over the rubbery logos. I've got a UFO waiting for me right now. It isn't interfaced, so I plan on tying it. It's a quilt top I made with vacation souvenier tee shirts. Good luck with you quilt.


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