Introduction
Creating a tee shirt quilt is a fantastic way to repurpose your beloved and sentimental shirts into a cozy and nostalgic blanket. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or a beginner looking for a fun project, making a tee shirt quilt can be a rewarding and creative endeavor. This article will guide you through the step-by-step process of making your very own tee shirt quilt.
Materials you will need:
1. Tee shirts: Choose the shirts you want to include in your quilt. Make sure to wash and iron them before starting your project.
2. Fabric for sashing and borders: Pick out coordinating fabric to separate your tee shirt squares and create a border for your quilt.
3. Fusible interfacing: This will help stabilize the tee shirt fabric and prevent stretching while sewing.
4. Batting: Choose a batting that gives your quilt the desired weight and warmth.
5. Quilting ruler and rotary cutter: These tools will help you cut your fabric accurately and efficiently.
6. Sewing machine and thread: A sewing machine will make the construction process faster, but you can also hand-sew your quilt if you prefer.
Step-by-step guide:
1. Prepare your tee shirts:
– Lay out your tee shirts and decide on the size of the squares you want for your quilt.
– Cut out the front and back of each shirt, making sure to include a little extra fabric for seam allowances.
– Iron fusible interfacing onto the back of each tee shirt square to stabilize the fabric.
2. Cut your sashing and border fabric:
– Decide on the width of your sashing strips and border.
– Cut the fabric into strips using a quilting ruler and rotary cutter.
3. Arrange your tee shirt squares:
– Lay out your tee shirt squares in a pleasing arrangement.
– Use the sashing strips to separate the tee shirt squares and create rows for your quilt.
4. Sew the quilt top together:
– Sew the tee shirt squares together with the sashing strips using a ¼ inch seam allowance.
– Once your rows are complete, sew the rows together to create the quilt top.
5. Add borders:
– Sew your border fabric strips to the edges of the quilt, mitering the corners for a clean finish.
6. Prepare the quilt sandwich:
– Lay your batting on the table, then place your quilt top right side up on top of the batting.
– Smooth out any wrinkles and baste the layers together.
7. Quilt the layers together:
– Decide on a quilting pattern and stitch in the ditch or quilt freehand to secure the layers together.
8. Trim and bind your quilt:
– Trim any excess batting and fabric from the edges of your quilt.
– Create your binding by sewing strips of fabric together, then attach it to the edges of your quilt.
9. Finish your quilt:
– Sew the binding down by hand or machine to complete your tee shirt quilt.
Tips and tricks:
– Use a walking foot on your sewing machine when quilting to prevent puckering.
– Press your seams open to reduce bulk in your quilt top.
– Consider adding sashing between each tee shirt square to create a more cohesive look.
– Practice your quilting stitches on scrap fabric before working on your quilt.
– Have fun and get creative with your tee shirt layout!
Conclusion
Making a tee shirt quilt is a fun and meaningful way to preserve memories and showcase your favorite shirts. By following this step-by-step guide and utilizing the right materials and techniques, you can create a one-of-a-kind quilt that will be cherished for years to come. So gather your old tee shirts, dust off your sewing machine, and start creating your very own tee shirt quilt today!
