Can anyone recommend a stabilizer for tee shirt material??

Have any of you used the tee shirts for the binding on a tee shirt quilt??

GD want to make a tee shirt quilt for her BF and needs my help. Thanks

I have never done a T-shirt quilt, however I would guess you need an iron on interfacing as a stabilizer. Otherwise everything is going to stretch. Good Luck Marge

non woven fusible interfacing

Yes, stabilizer on the squares is really necessary. As for the binding, I would use it there also, interesting idea, I don't think I have ever seen the tshirt fabric used as binding, but why not???

me neither, Amma, but all the different colors would make it interesting. I am concerned about the stretching, the stabilizer would help. I have never used stabilizers before.

I just started to sew on my daughter's T-shirt quilt last night, We got a few packages of the ironable interfacing from Walmart. I don't remember the brand name, but it comes in a small bag for a little over a dollar. We got a few of those for the quilt. we are adding cotton sashing between the blocks.

I do have one question. what is the best way to do the quilting? she doesn't want too much distracting quilting over it, and I do better my free hand than stitching in the ditch.

OK, while typing this I thought of something: Should I use decorative stitches

Maria

Maride, I sure don't know about the quilting either. My
GD wants to have it quilted, so that will be her choice and she is thinking of flannel backing, cotton sashing and borders.

I haven't done a t-shirt quilt, but I would use the lightest weight fusible tricot I could find. I have used both the tricot sold at JoAnn's and a tricot I got from a drapery company online on silk ties. The fusible tricot from JoAnn's was expensive for a small amount; the fusible tricot from the drapery company was inexpensive (about $2 a yard, I think, plus shipping). Also the drapery fusible tricot was slightly lighter in weight than the package I got from JoAnn's. The drapery stuff was sold as yardage and I think was 62 inches wide, so you really got a lot for your money.

Fusible tricot is fairly lightweight and has some stretch; that's why I would choose it for t-shirt fabric.

It's a good idea to steam fusible tricot for a few seconds before fusing to allow it to shrink.

If you try something else, it would be a good idea to fuse a scrap piece of t-shirt first to make sure that you are satisfied with the stiffness and drape. Many fusibles will make the fabric uncomfortably stiff. It's also a good idea to test wash the fused piece. The wrong kind of fusible may make the fabric bubble or wrinkle when you wash it.

Most people just stitch in the ditch for a t-shirt quilt.

Here is the one I made for DD for graduation. I used non woven fusible interfacing. Fuse it before you cut your squares.

I am also going on the 20th to see a long arm quilter about quilting a tee shirt quilt for a friend who's daughter was killed in 05. She made her DD tees into this quilt.

I have a pattern for a t-shirt quilt. It says to use non-woven fusible interfacing commonly used for in collars & cuffs. It says to use a light to medium weight. It also says do not use fabric softner.
I will be making one for my nephew with his soccer t-shirts for his graduation next year.

Use the lightest stabilizer you can. I made DD a T shirt quilt and used heavier interfacing and that baby weighs a ton. She loves it though.

as far as quilting - if you can't stitch in the ditch i would do a meandering stitch around the design elements in each tee.

if you look at the above example quilt there's area in the corners and along the sides of each tee block that you would be able to do some free motion stippling.

this way it won't take away from the tee and will actually make the tee design pop out.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP, GIRLS. WENT TO FABRIC SHOP AND GOT THE LIGHT/MED IRON ON FOR THE T SHIRTS. GD HAS MADE 7 BLOCKS W/IT AND IT IS WORKING GREAT. THEY ARE 14 INCH BLOCKS. THIS WILL BE A FUN PROJECT. :lol: