Questions on quilting, border and backing
 

Okay, here is a tshirt quilt I am working on for my niece (special goddaughter). I still have to put the 2 inch black border around it and another 2nd border.

My questions are:

#1. For the border, do you sew the side on first or the top and bottom border?

#2. I don't know if she will use it for a lap quilt or on her bed. Is flannel okay to use for a backing? Flannel just seems so much more warmer and cozier.

#3. What do I do for the quilting part. I planned on taking it to the lady that has a long arm. What kind of pattern would you use and thread color?

That's it!! Thanks for your help!

I don't think it really matters whether you do the side borders first or the top/bottom....just a matter of choice. As for the backing, I really like to use flannel as it is much warmer. When I've done t-shirt quilts, I've just used a cross hatching as it is simple and doesn't take away from the print of the shirt panels, but once again, it's just choice. Just my opinion. Great job on the quilt, very well thought out and neat looking.

I'm no help. YOUR QUILT IS BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE IT.

I generally add the side borders, then the top/bottom. If you do it this way, you may be able to get away with less fabric (assuming you would cut them in one long piece). There are some great border hints on Quiltville

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/...der-hints.html

Flannel can be very nice for backing. It may end up pretty warm if you also have batting in it. The climate where it would be used may be a consideration on that.

I'd ask the long arm quilter her opinion on the quilting. I would be more inclined to go with a lighter neutral thread color when you have multi colors in the blocks myself. I think a dark thread on the light blocks would distract from the t-shirt designs.

I made a tee shirt quilt for my husband, he is a Scoutmaster in the boy scouts and I used some new and some of his older shirts. I had the long arm quilter do an all over stipple pattern on it and it came out great. Did not take the attention away from the tee shirts. I let the long arm quilter choose the thread, it was done in a neutral color.

I get them done with a panto or stipple. Either looks good with a neutral thread.

First of all it is a beautiful quilt....now to your questions:

When i first started quilting i learned to do the sides first, then top and bottom but i think it doesn't matter, but i just got into the habbit...
I haven't used flannel for backing yet but if i ever make a Tshirt quilt i would as these quilts are very personal and flannel would be cozy and cuddly.
Most of the tshirt quilts i have seen are done with a meander or stipple and i think this is the best way to go not to distract the prints from the shirts.
Good luck

i do some t-shirt quilts ....and tend to use a tan thread ...it blends nice and i quilt to match the block ...like the hoffy 2 shirt i would go around the block and then the words and the number ....great job so far ...good luck with the rest

I put borders on the side then the top, saves on fabric. Flannel would be a good choice for the backing. Your LA lady will have some very good suggestions for the quilts. Nice job on the quilt.

Border question - already answered
Flannel - Yes go for it, I love flannel on back. However climate might be something to consider
Quilting - panto or all over stippling looks great. I have used one called Deb's Swirls and another called Contempo(squares) which have both come out nice. Have you LA lay out a couple of different colors of thread or you can do that at home with your thread if you have several colors and see what you think. I will tell you that the thread does not show as much as you would think. With the texture of the knit fabric it seems to almost sink in some so you see the design more than the thread