Next time I get the bright idea to make a large t-shirt quilt, I hope someone comes along and kicks me!

The assembly went very well...but now that I am quilting it, it weighs a freaking ton!!!!!! My shoulders are killing me and I'm taking breaks after each section. I changed my plans as I went along and quilted less than I wanted to. I was going to do some filling in around the designs in the t-shirt blocks. Instead, I went around the perimeter of the designs. If I ever get the desire to make one again (ya, right), I will save up and have it quilted by someone else!

On the up side, it's looking pretty good. I knew it would be heavier, but never anticipated it would be this difficult to quilt. Three more borders and I'm done. Already looking forward to the next (easier) quilting project. ;)

Hang in there, I'm sure it will be beautiful when it is done.

Be sure to show it to us.

I'm sure it will be worth it when it's done.

What batting did you use that makes it so heavy? How far apart does that batting recommend your quilting to be?

You might want to try quilting it standing up. I find it saves my shoulders a *lot*. I place my sewing machine on my cutting table and surround it with a styrofoam "table" (instructions on Youtube) to give me a large flat surface. Really worth it for me!

Warm & Natural. The t-shirts, plus interfacing add weight too. I try to quilt a few inches apart at the most, but still fairly loose.

I never thought of trying it standing up. Not sure if my table is high enough though.

I couldn't find the right size thickness of foam around here to make my own "table"...it's too thin and I'd need several layers. I did my own makeshift "table" which helps alot, but the whole thing is really too low. At least my chair adjusts, so that helps a bit.

I have never had the desire to make a Tee shirt quilt. My girls never saved any of their old tee shirts anyway. I don't get the sentimental value of old tee shirts.

Actually, they were new t-shirts bought specifically for this quilt. My grandson loves Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog. Of course, you can't find fabric like that. My DIL found the t-shirts in the clearance and saved them for me. Oh well, it is a labor of love for my grandson. He's got some issues and this should make him happy. :)

I have a T-shirt quilt started (as in, T-shirts cut apart, waiting to be interfaced) for a friend. It's going to be large, too....not looking forward to this. I think I'll end up quilting it on my kitchen table, so that I can have it resting on a large surface.

When you decide to start yours, check out the search on this forum to give you some more tips.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/search....+quilts&u=&s=0

You can do it

You might try using your ironing board to support part of the weight. Sure helps me. I just "park" it perpendicular to my sewing machine on the left. Then I put it back on the other side of the room when I am finished.

I finished (except for binding)! Battery is charging, so I can't get a pic yet, but will soon. I don't have a dedicated sewing area, and had to work off the kitchen table. I also had 2 folding tables and a small tray table set up to help hold the weight of the quilt. Even with a large sheet of vinyl and my supreme slider, it was difficult. The quilt kept catching on the corners of the table and didn't slide as well as it needed to. I really miss my old kitchen table. It was formica with rounded corners and edging. Someday maybe I can find another like it.

I done one and it about killed me too-it was so heavy-I said I wold never do another.lol Good luck

Sorry for you pain, but I look forward to seeing a picture when you are done.