tshirt quilt - confused!
 

I am confused on making a tshirt quilt. What do I use for the backing of the tshirts? If fusible interfacing, what kind and weight or is there something else I'm supposed to use besides interfacing. When I went to the fabric shop there are so many different types and the clerk wasn't very helpful. I've only made two other quilts and just confused on how to go about the tshirt quilt, so any other tips will be appreciated.

I have used a light or medium weight NON-woven fusible interfacing, and with great success. You need a non-woven to help keep the t-shirts from going wonky on you! :)

The interfacing I use is a knitted fusible. It's called Fusi-knit. You put the stretch of the interfacing the opposite way of the stretch of the t-shirt. It keeps them soft but makes them stable.

the difference between a non-woven & a woven interfacing is:
non woven is like a paper- woven is like a lightweight fabric
i use woven interfacing in my t=shirt quilts- it is softer & doesn't tear as easily as the non-wovens do
you do not want (paper backed fusable) like heat n bond-or wonderunder---you want to ask for lightweight fusable interfacing- pellon seems to be the one most places like joannes carries- it is white, thin (see through) with a bumpy side (the side with the fusable on it) and a smooth side- the bumpy side goes on the back of the t-shirt decals, you press it on- it stablizes the shirts so they don't stretch out of shape while you are sewing. it is the same stuff found in the cuffs/collars of shirts (except those sometimes are a heavier weight) or along a placket (where the buttons/button holes are on the shirt)...just adds some stability- and stays in- does not need to be removed.

I just finished my first t-shirt quilt..and I used Pellon EK 130 Easy Knit Fusible Knit interfacing and underlining...it worked out great for me...fusing on one side...[ATTACH=CONFIG]391144[/ATTACH]it made the t-shirts very easy to work with..and crisp looking...I cut out the design larger than necessary..ironed on the fusible then trimmed to the size I wanted..good luck...

Beautiful quilt!

sak658 - Love your quilt. I really like the idea of offsetting the t-shirt with the black "shadow". Makes it really pop! Good job. :)

What a gorgeous quilt!

this is excellent advice as I had the same problem with only no name stabilisers available and I too was confused. lightweight fusible interfacing (dont worry about the brand as long as it says that) is the one you want and ckcowl is right it has those dots only on one side.
I cut my tshirts out first but as big as i could along the seam lines. Then I ironed on the fusible being careful to iron the fusible with the stretch opposite to the tshirts stretch (hope this makes sense)Then I cut out the tshirts to the size I wanted.
Mine is still a work in progress as I can only work on it when my husband is away as it is a surprise 50th quilt for him but so far all going well.
I also love your quilt sak658 as I too have got light grey material for my quilt and i am going to do the shadows behind.

I use the featherweight fusible interfacing for my t-shirt quilts. When it goes on sale for 50% off at JoAnn's, I buy at least 2 or 3 bolts of the stuff! There are 25 yards on a bolt.

T-shirt quilts are really a lot of fun to make!