T-Shirt Quilt

Here is the t-shirt quilt I’ve been working on-

quilted by Judy Hendrickson of The Quilting Cellar

Here are just a few hints and instructions that were given to me and I found helpful.

Launder shirts without fabric softener or dryer sheets.

For my first t-shirt quilt I found it helpful to cut and apply interfacing to a test shirt - one that wasn't going to be in the final quilt. It gave me the confidence to cut into the other shirts.

With scissors cut along both sides of the shirt to open it up-

Cut a piece of Pellon 911FF (lightweight woven) interfacing that is a couple inches larger on each side than your expected finished block. Both the shirt and the interfacing have more stretch in one direction than the other. Make sure to have the less stretchy of one matched up with the more stretchy of the other.

Lie your t-shirt face down. Place interfacing on top making sure you have the adhesive side toward the shirt.

Press with a pressing cloth using manufacturers recommended heat setting. Let cool and check. Heat again if not firmly applied.

Cut block to desired size. Typically, shirts are cut the same size and uniform sashing is added. A lot can be said for doing it this way, but you can also have fun piecing the “sashing” so you can cut the shirts to any size logo.

I use graph paper to plan my layout-

Glue graph paper to cardstock.

Draw on t-shirt logos and cut apart.

Apply a rolled up piece of masking tape so t-shirts can be repositioned.

Position on a large piece of graph paper and move around until you get a pleasing design.

Piece with an even feed foot.

Remember - always use a pressing cloth! This is very important. Otherwise you may melt the logos and possibly the shirt.

The added interfacing makes this a very heavy quilt. Use 4 oz. polyester batting off the bolt from JoAnn’s. Cotton will be too heavy.

Trim hems and seams from leftover t-shirt fabric. I use the remaining fabric as rags.

Hope this makes sense. Feel free to send me an email if you want more information.

I like to reward a finish with a new project-

I’m using the back basting method and find it is very accurate. Downside – the basting takes a while. Upside – no glue, starch, freezer paper or template plastic needed. I chose this method because it is a very large piece. The block will be 20 inches and my freezer paper isn’t that big and I couldn’t find my template plastic.

My daughter is home from college for the week and I spied these images on her laptop-

I know they are for her graphic design exit project but she won’t tell me how they relate. Very curious!

I’m still thinking about what my First Blogging Anniversary Giveaway will be. I’ll probably post it on Saturday.

Happy Thanksgiving!