T-Shirt Quilts

Making a T-Shirt quilt is a great way to preserve the memories in your clothing. These simple instructions for a very basic quilt will walk you through the process. There are many different ways to make a T-shirt quilt with countless options.  These instructions are for the most basic of quilts. If you don't want to do it yourself, then hire someone to do it for you. There are many companies that specialize in taking your stack of clothes and turning it into a beautiful quilt.

Measuring and Cutting

1. Measure each of the large logos on your shirts. Measure horizontally and vertically on all of them looking for the largest one. Take the largest measurement you get and add 1-1/2 inches. This is the basic size of your blocks. For example, if your largest logo measures 13-1/2 inches then you add 1-1/2 inches to get 15 inches as your basic block measurement.
2. Cut each shirt along the sides and across the top leaving the largest piece of T-shirt you can.
   
3. Cut squares of non-woven light-weight fusible interfacing about 1 inch bigger than your measurement, one for each logo. This does not have to be perfect.
4. Using a medium iron and a press cloth follow the interfacing instructions to fuse the interfacing squares to the back of each logo.
5. Using a large square ruler and a rotary cutter, trim each logo to your block measurement making sure to center it as best as you can.

Layout and Assembly

1. Once all the squares have been cut to the block measurement, lay them out in a pleasing way. Some suggestions for layout include separating bold colors into the corners, staggering the white shirts or creating a secondary design with the colors.
2. If you do not have enough shirts to make a grid (3x4, 4x5, 5x5, etc.) then consider putting some plain fabric blocks in to fill space.
3. Once the layout is set, sew each of the shirts into rows using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Press the seams open.
   
4. Once all the rows have been sewn. sew the rows together one at a time using a 1/2 inch seam allowance and matching seam intersections until the top of the quilt is complete. Press the seams open.

Quilting and Binding

1. Press and sew together cotton fabric until it is large enough for your backing. Layer together the backing fabric, a good-quality batting and the top. Pin with safety pins every few inches to hold the 3 layers together.
2. Using a walking foot on the sewing machine or a free-motion foot, quilt as you'd like. You could also bring it to a professional long-arm quilter to quilt it for you. Hand-quilting is not recommended as these squares are very thick.
   
3. Once quilted, remove the pins and trim away the excess batting on the edges, leaving the excess backing. (Unless you are planning to add your own separate binding) Trim the backing to 1-inch from the edge of the top all the way around the quilt top. Fold the backing fabric over the top half-way, then over again. Pin and sew in place by hand or machine.

Like anything, there are many additions or modifications you could make to your quilt. Patches, borders, sashing, binding, professional quilting, etc. are all things to consider. T-Shirt Quilts are as unique as their owners. They are a great way to preserve those memories!