t-Shirt Quilt Memories

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Step 1. to make t-shirt quilt

Sort through your t-shirts.

Stack them by color and/or design.
Determine how many of them you want to use. The size and design of your finished quilt will depend on the amount of material you have available.
14x14 inch (35.5cm) squares are a common and comfortable size to use, but you can enlarge that to 18x18 inch (45cm) if the shirts are XXL and shrink that to 10x10 (25cm) or less if you will be using children's shirts.
Common blanket sizes are:
- Crib - 42" x 72" (3x4 or 3x5 shirt grid = 12 to 15 shirts)
- Twin - 66" x 96" (5x8 or 6x9 grid = 40 to 54 shirts)
- Double/full - 81" x 96" (6x8 or 7x9 grid = 48 to 63 shirts)
- Queen - 90" x 102" (8x9 or 9x10 grid = 72 to 90 shirts)
- Standard King - 108" x 102" (10x10 or 10x11 grid = 100 to 110 shirts)
- California King - 102" x 110" (10x11 or 11x11 grid = 110 to 121 shirts)
- Note: you can use "sashing" or strips of cloth between the T-shirt panels to reduce the number of shirts needed... these numbers are approximate, and are for a quilt top made of nothing but tees, with no sashing.

Step 2. to build a t-shirt quilt

Evaluate your collection. Is there a common color scheme? A theme that runs through them? Any patterns or messages that you would like to emphasize?

Step 3. to build a t-shirt quilt

Choose a pattern. A simple grid pattern is the easiest, but you can get as creative as you like. For example:

45 degree block turn
22.5 degree turn
Window block

Step 4. to build a t-shirt quilt

Launder all of the shirts. Do not use fabric softeners or anti-static sheets.
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Step 5. to build a t-shirt quilt

Lay the tee shirt out flat. You may want to iron the shirts (note that many designs on t-shirts have transfers that may melt, so test a small area prior to ironing) to get out any wrinkles still left after washing and drying.

Step 6. to build a t-shirt quilt

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Determine what part of the tee shirt you want in the quilt and trace the perimeter of your template.

Step 7. to build a t-shirt quilt

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Cut your square panels from the shirts using a template. A square Plexiglas template can make rotary cutting of these panels a breeze.
- Note: Remember to allow a half inch (1.25 cm) of seam allowance all around.

Step 8. to build a t-shirt quilt

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Stabilize the tee shirt panels by ironing a non-woven fusible interfacing or lightweight, fusible tricot interfacing to the back sides. This prevents the T-shirts from stretching or sagging during construction.

Step 9. to build a t-shirt quilt

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Check to be certain that the interfacing has adhered properly.
- Once you've stabilized the knit tee shirt fabric, you are ready to sew as you would with "normal" fabrics.

Step 10. to build a t-shirt quilt

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Decide how you'll sew the panels together. Sewing the panels in columns or rows and then joining those together for the complete panel is the most common method of constructing a quilt top. Here are some alternate block patterns that could work well:

Let me make your t-shirt Quilt!

Bring me your t-Shirts and I will turn them into a priceless quilt.

Piecing and putting t-shirts together is a flat $300.00 fee.

Edge to Edge Quilting

$9.50 sq yard plus $5.00 set-up. White or Natural thread included. Colored thread $2.00 extra.

Approximate prices for Edge to Edge Quilting

Twin : 68 x90=6120 sq inches / 1296 = 4.72 sq yd x $9.50=$40.00+$5.00 setup= $49.86
Double: 80X90=7200 $57.78
Queen: 90X96=8640 $68.33
King: 96x108=10368 $81.00
* $25.00 minimum quilting charge on all orders which is for quilting only. Additional charges may be added for batting etc.
** $25.00 charge for rush jobs (less than 2 wks)

Custom Quilting:

According to the density/intricacy of the quilting design Average .02 per square inch.

Basting for Hand Quilting
Approx $6.50 sq yd

Backing Prep:
Seam & press 45" fabric to fit top $5.00 - $10.00

Machine Binding
Baby & Twin $10.00
Full & Queen $15.00
King & Ca King $20.00
Based on prepared binding (see helpful hints)

Yard goods, batting & backing sold separately

        90 Wide Fabric $7.95 Yd .
        108" - 120" White & Natural $8.95
        108" Wide Quilters Blend $8.95 Yard Variety of colors
        108" Tone on Tone Variety of Colors $8.95
        45” Fabric $3.00 - $5.00
        96" 80/20 Hobbs Batting $6.95
        108" Hobbs 80/20 Batting $7.95
        108" Hobbs 80/20 Black Batting $9.95
        Bias Binding .36 per yard, Red, Black, White, Natural, Pink, Blue, Yellow, Brown, Tan, Navy, Lime Green, Lavender & Teal.


*All prices are subject to change without notice.