How do you make a T-shirt quilt?

Question

I have a lot of old t-shirts my kids wore while in school. I would like to use them to make a quilt. A useful keepsake full of memories.

Answer 1

MAKING A T-SHIRT QUILT
1. Decide on the size quilt you want to make.
2. Determine which t-shirts you will use
3. Determine if you will cut all the logos the same size or if you will cut logs to different sizes.
4. Purchase lite weight iron on fusible
5. Cut the fusible approximately 2" larger per side than the size of the logo (i.e. if logo is 4" x 4" cut the pellon 6" x 6".
6. Two options here:
a. If you are adding borders around each logo iron the fusible to the back side of the logo. Then sew the borders to each side of the logo
b. If you are going to applique the logo to fabric. Place the bumpy side of the fusible to the right side of the logo. Sew around all 4 sides of the fusible. Cut small slit in fusible and turn right sides out. Center on fabric. Fuse into place. Use a zig zag or buttonhole stitch to anchor in place.
7. Once all blocks are completed determine placement of each block in quilt design.
8. Sew blocks together.
9. Add border.
10. Decide whether you will quilt the quilt or turn and tie the quilt.
11. Finish as desired.

This is a very simplistic outline of how to do a t-shirt quilt. There are quilt books out on the market that give more specific instructions. Feel free to contact me for more specifics. I also take commissions to creat quilts. Good luck. It is definitely a great memory quilt especially if you have pictures of the child in the shirt that can also be added to the quilt.

Answer 2

If you want to make a quilt out of special t-shirts, first be sure to iron on one-sided fusable fabric to the inside before cutting so the t-shirt fabric doesn't stretch or shift while sewing. Cut 3 inch wide lengths of cotton fabric (sashing) the length of one side of the square then sew together a row of blocks with sashings between each block. Cut 3 inch wide lengths the entire length of the rows then sew rows together with sashings between each. Put one or two borders all the way around the outside, layer top, cotton batting and backing together, leaving batting and backing larger than the top and trim to size after you're done quilting in case anything slightly shifts. Safety pin all over the quilt to hold the layers together, then sew straight or random lines throughout the sashings and around the blocks.
Cut 2 inch lengths of fabric for the binding. With the top facing down, put raw edge of binding face down on the back of the quilt. Sew 1/2 inch in the length of the side then fold the binding to the front. Tuck 1/2 inch under, leaving a 1/2 inch binding on the front, then sew the length of the side. Repeat with the opposite side then on both ends, tucking the second corners under at an angle before sewing over the first ends.
My aunt made a wonderful quilt this way for her son from all his scouting t-shirts. It's a wonderful way to preserve the memories!