Sep 23, 2010

Can I pick your brain?

I'll share more later but for right now - I have a question for anyone that has made a t-shirt quilt.  My question is...

When making a t-shirt quilt, do you have any suggestions or tips?

I'm in the process of making my first t-shirt quilt and even after reading and reading all the material I had, I just want to make sure I'm going to make a wonderful quilt - for my FIRST customer! (giggling)  I would appreciate any help.  Thanks!

8 comments:

  1. I'll have to come back and read the suggestions! I'd like to make one too!

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  2. Well, I haven't actually made one yet, but DD and I put iron on stabilizer on the back of the design on some of her t-shirts and then cut the designs out into squares~ we used my 10 inch ruler. I had read that stabilizing the shirts was a good idea. Now its all waiting for her to come and sew with me--I realize that could be a long wait! LOL

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  3. Hi, I have made several t-shirt quilts and a woven iron on stabilizer is a must. Just follow the manafactuers directions and you will be fine. Make sure to cut your t-shirts squares larger than you want them to be, iron on your stabilizer and then you can square them up. Also use a polyester batting, I know ewww, but it does make a diderence. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

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  4. good luck with it Michelle, I do know that a stabilizer is most important!

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  5. Michelle,
    I have made several T-shirt quilts. Please e-mail me if you have any specific questions. I think it's important to approach a T-shirt quilt like other quilts. Does it have enough color? Do you have variety in sizes and shapes? Borders, sashing, binding and backing and add tremendously to develop the feeling you want for this quilt. My son wanted subtle, classic fabrics, but his T-shirts had lots of variety.

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  6. Sugar, I don't even know what that is...lol sew you have my interest...guess I will have to stay tuned in...right??? check, come to see Michelle soon..
    blessings msamm

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  7. I've made 10 or 15 t-shirt quilts since doing one as my first quilt about 12 years ago. The most important part is to use an iron on stabalizer of some sort. I use medium weight interfacing. Also cut he t-shirts out as big as possible and then figure out what size to cut them down to. I use a 15" or 20" square depending on what size the designs are on the t-shirts. Do not use flannel for sashing or backing as it will get extremely heavy. I typically use warm and natural or thermore batting, depending on how warm I want it to be. I made t-shirt quilts in college to make money and I still have requests for them about once a year. I love figuring out how to put them together.

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  8. Your first customer - how exciting! Can't wait to hear more! I've never made one, and am learning here! Saving Studly Jrs. shirts to make one when he graduates - so I'll be asking you all about it! I know you'll do a great job!

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