T Shirt Quilt- Getting Ready

My husband has had over 100  T-shirts. He does wear them often, but no one can wear that many. Since there were too many to fit in the drawer and lots, though faded and worn, still had sentimental value,  I decided to make a T-Shirt Quilt for him. (That was 2 years ago and it still isn't finished!) I do have lots of blocks made and ready to sew together.

Here's how to do it. First, select the T-shirts you want to use. Roughly cut out the logo or picture you want to feature. Leave lots of space around the logo... a couple of inches if possible. You will be trimming it later.
(OK this isn't really a T-Shirt. Just go along with it!)

Cut medium weight fusible interfacing to fit the back of the T-Shirt. This will help stablize and reinforce the jersey fabric.
Iron the interface on the back of the T-shirt according to manufacturer's instructions. (I never really follow those instructions. I just turn on my iron and do it. That's why I am wayward.)

Now is the time to trim the piece to the size and shape that you want. Leave at least a 1 inch fabric around the logo. Try to keep the about the same margin on all of your squares for a more uniform look.

Some people choose to have all squares the same size. I am not one of those people.

Some of the logos that I selected were embroidered designs off the front of polo shirts. This was a great use for nice, but stained fav polos.

Then, select your border fabric. Again, you might want to use the same fabric for every block. I decided to use fabric that complemented each design. Cut strips of fabric to the desired width. I sewed each side border first and then the top and bottom. Iron the seam allowance toward the border fabric.

I am going to use a white on white fabric as lattice work. I will be using a bandana print for the back because Ben loves bandanas almost as much as T-shirts. I might use old ties in the lattice work, too. That will be another post if I do.

Here are my all my blocks together and a pictorial history of my husband's adulthood:

14 comments :

Brave Brooke said...

I recognize all of those! That quilt is going to be huge and well loved!

Jordan McCollum said...

Aw, it's Dad the quilt.

I've been "working" on one of these for Ryan for a couple years, too. I hadn't thought about fusible interfacing. I'll put it on my shopping list!

Just Jaime said...

I like how you coordinated fabrics to the shirts!

Tracy said...

Such an awesome project you are making for your hubby.
I have been planning on making one of these for my daughter with her old Happy Bunny tshirts.
Its been in the planning stages for over 4 years.
Does that mean I am more wayward then you, lol.

May said...

Please keep adding posts as you go along. I so want to tackle this project but am clueless. So far I have three kids and three stacks of t-shirts so it isn't like I haven't started or anything!

Jasmine said...

You stole my Crazy for Canada shirt??? How could you??

Jasmine said...

AND my Brigham Young shirt I had that Jaime and Brooke would steal and wear???

The Sweet Details said...

oh thanks so much for making my 100 followers, that totally made my day logging in and seeing that! have a great weekend!

LrSchwtz said...

Thanks for the great tutorial! I would love to make one for my husband using his hockey shirts. Please stop by www.laughloveandcraft.com and link up to my Share the Wealth Wednesday Link Party! I'm your newest follower!

Mindie Hilton said...

What a great idea, my hubs has a lot of t-shirts too. I might have to try this one. See you next link up @ Bacon Time.

Tiffany said...

Coming over from the Sundae Scoop and am a new follower! I have been saving shirts for both of my children and am almost ready to start making their quilts, thank you for sharing!

Ashley said...

this is so cool! he will totally love it! :)
i love t-shirt quilts. :)
new follower here!!!
love your blog, so many cute fun things

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

A good post for me, I am making a t-shirt quilt this summer for my just graduated son, have been saving t=shirts for years! Thanks for sharing.

Alison Agnew said...

i love the idea of a t shirt quilt...so many memories and fun graphics...it'll be amazing when it's finished! thanks for sharing at fridays unfolded and i hope you'll be back next week for the summer block party!

alison
stuff and nonsense

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