What sorts of patterns can I use for a t shirt quilt?

There are tons of patterns out there for t shirt quilts. You can do something basic like strips or squares, or get more intricate with things like railroad tracks, pinwheels, or log cabin styles. It all depends on the look you’re going for.

How many t shirts do I need for a quilt?

The number of shirts you need will vary based on the size of the quilt and type of pattern. Generally though, you’ll want between 12 and 24 t shirts for a full or queen size quilt. A smaller throw size could probably get done with as few as 8 shirts. At the same time, don’t forget to have extra leftover fabric in case you need it for things like borders or backing material.n

Is it hard to sew t shirt quilt blocks together?

Putting together the blocks for a t shirt quilt is relatively straightforward. Of course, sewing small pieces of knit fabric takes a little practice. Even so, the process is not too different from quilting with regular fabric. It maybe takes a bit longer since the shirt material is stretchier. As long as you use a stretch or ballpoint needle and are careful not to overstretch the seams, the quilting shouldn’t be too tough.n

How do I prepare the t shirts for quilting?

To get t shirts ready for quilting, the first thing you’ll want to do is remove any graphics or wording from the front. The easiest way is usually to cut it into strips or squares. However, you can also pick or dissolve them away if you’re feeling ambitious. Next, give the shirts a good wash to get them nice and clean. Then press and trim them so the blocks are all the same size before you start piecing them together.n

What’s the best way to finish the raw edges of a t shirt quilt?

There are a couple good options for finishing the raw edges of a t shirt quilt. One is to simply serge or zigzag stitch the edges to keep them from fraying. A maybe even better technique is to cover the raw edges with bias tape or binding before sewing the quilt layers together. This hidden seam look is very professional. Other edge treatments that work well are folded hems or narrowly binding the perimeter.n

How do you attach a backing and batting to a t shirt quilt top?

As for putting on the backing and batting, the standard procedure is to layer the quilt sandwich – top/batting/backing – then use safety pins or spray basting to temporarily secure the layers. After that you can quilt as desired, either by hand or machine. To finish it off, simply bind the edges like a regular quilt. But is that really the best way? Perhaps an expert quilter could offer insight on superior attachment methods.

Is it hard to machine quilt a t shirt quilt?

Machine quilting a t shirt quilt is pretty similar to quilting other fabrics, so it shouldn’t provide too many challenges. Just take it slow and be gentle with the speed and pressure since t shirt material tends to stretch more than cotton. Going with an open, sparse quilt design might be safer than super dense patterns when working with knits. As long as your machine can handle stretchy fabrics well, the process shouldn’t require any special skills. It’s just using basic free motion quilting techniques.n

Creative T Shirt Quilt Patterns to Try Making This Year - Quilting-Tidbits.com (UPDATE 👍)

Q: Why Make a T-Shirt Quilt?

n n Save old t-shirts from the trash. No need to throw out t-shirts with holes or that are fading when you can repurpose them into something useful.n n n Memorialize special occasions. A t-shirt quilt allows you to look back on favorite band shirts, sports teams, alumni gear and more for years to come.n n n It’s an affordable craft project. Compared to buying a new quilt, the supplies for a t-shirt quilt are pretty cheap – mainly just shirt material, batting, and thread.n n n Fun family project. Kids can help pick their favorite shirts to include. Sewing it together makes a great bonding activity.n n

T-Shirt Quilt Patterns for Upcycling Your Favorite Tees

If you’re like me, you probably have a closet full of worn-out t-shirts from concerts, vacations, schools and more that hold fond memories. Instead of tossing them, why not transform them into a cozy quilt using t-shirt quilt patterns? Not only will you preserve those memories, but you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind homemade blanket.

Why Make a T-Shirt Quilt?

Save old t-shirts from the trash. No need to throw out t-shirts with holes or that are fading when you can repurpose them into something useful.
Memorialize special occasions. A t-shirt quilt allows you to look back on favorite band shirts, sports teams, alumni gear and more for years to come.
It’s an affordable craft project. Compared to buying a new quilt, the supplies for a t-shirt quilt are pretty cheap – mainly just shirt material, batting, and thread.
Fun family project. Kids can help pick their favorite shirts to include. Sewing it together makes a great bonding activity.

Choosing a T-Shirt Quilt Pattern

There are tons of free t-shirt quilt patterns online to choose from. Here are the main types to consider:

Patchwork. Cut shirts into strips or squares and sew them together randomly like a puzzle. Easy but lets you use more graphics.
Strip. Cut vertical shirt strips and piece them together into rows. Neat layout but shows less images.
Album. Lay out shirts in a grid and sew photo-style. Best for displaying full fronts.
Column. Stack shirt strips vertically into columns. Fun variation on the strip pattern.

Go with a layout that suits the number/size of shirts and your sewing skills. You can always improvise parts of a pattern too!

Preparing and Laying Out T-Shirts

This baggy could be mad comfy if you turn it into a memory quilt, my friend! Here are the steps:

Wash and dry shirts to preshrink fabric. Remove buttons/graphics if sewing over them.
Decide on pattern and lay shirts out to visualize layout. Rearrange as desired.
Cut shirts into strips or squares according to pattern using rotary cutter/scissors. Press seams flat as you go.
Pin/tape pieces in place on backing fabric. Then fill in gaps with other fabric scraps if needed.

Use painter’s tape, fabric spray adhesive or safety pins to temporarily hold the layout so it doesn’t shift while quilting.

Creative T Shirt Quilt Patterns to Try Making This Year image 3

Sewing the Quilt Top

Now the fun part – putting it all together! Most people use a simple straight stitch but you can get creative with the quilting too:

Sew cut strips/pieces right sides together into horizontal rows. Press seams to one side as you go.
Sew rows together vertically to complete the quilt top layer.
For extra strength, sew vertical and horizontal lines across the entire surface (“grid quilting”).
Use a walking foot or even free motion quilting for fun curvy designs if you’re feeling fancy.

Once quilted, trim any extra fabric from the edges and you’re done with the top!

Finishing the Quilt

To make it cozy, you’ll sandwich the quilt top between two layers of fabric:

Lay the backing fabric wrong side up and smooth out any wrinkles.
Center the quilt top right side up on top of the backing.
Place batting on top, smoothing out any lumps.
Baste the layers together using safety pins or a long stitch to hold everything in place.
Finally, sew all the way around the perimeter with a 1⁄2 inch seam to finish the quilt!

Then bind the raw edges with coordinating fabric for a polished look. Add a label if desired and voilà – your new t-shirt quilt is ready to cozy up with!

Tips from Experience

I’ve made my fair share of t-shirt quilts over the years, so let me share a couple pro-tips from experience:

Creative T Shirt Quilt Patterns to Try Making This Year image 2

Prewash shirts inside-out to protect any printed graphics from fading too much in the wash.
When sewing rows together, leave an extra 1/4 inch of fabric at the top and bottom for ease of piecing strips end-to-end without gaps.
Use a walking foot for less puckering as your basically sewing a bunch of knits together.
Go slowly when quilting over printed t-shirt areas so the needle doesn’t snag the ink.

One time, in a rush to finish a quilt as a gift, I totally forgot the batting layer! When I unveiled it, lets just say the recipient was like “…where’s the fluff?” Talk about an epic fail. Always do a final check that all layers are present before calling it done, friends!

T-Shirt Quilt Ideas

Once you get the hang of making these memory quilts, the possibilities are endless bascially. Here are some cool variations I’ve seen:

Seasonal/holiday themed layouts (hearts for V-day, leaves for fall, etc.)
Sports jersey quilt to support your fave teams
Baby/child t-shirt quilt to document their first years
Wedding t-shirt quilt using bridal party/reception shirts
Mix of t-shirts and photos in blocks for extra personalization

The options are kind of limitless – let your imagination run wild! You could even sell custom quilts on Etsy if you get really good. Who knows, it might become your side hustle!

In conclusion, t-shirt quilt patterns provide a heartwarming way to preserve precious memories and turn plain old tees into cozy works of art. Whether as a gift or for your own home, the process of quilting them is also totally rewarding creatively. So dig through those drawers and closets – it’s time to start recycling those tees!

T-Shirt Quilt Pattern Options

Pattern	Skill Level	Description
Square	Beginner	T-shirts are cut into squares and sewn together in rows.
Squares with Sashing	Intermediate	Adds sashing strips between squares for defined block look.
Nine-Patch	Intermediate	Combines 3×3 grid of squares for geometric pattern.
Column Quilt	Intermediate	T-shirts stacked vertically and sewn in long columns.
Jelly Roll	Advanced	Narrow strips of fabrics spiral or curve to make patterns.

FAQ

What sorts of patterns can I use for a t shirt quilt?

There are tons of patterns out there for t shirt quilts. You can do something basic like strips or squares, or get more intricate with things like railroad tracks, pinwheels, or log cabin styles. It all depends on the look you’re going for.
How many t shirts do I need for a quilt?

The number of shirts you need will vary based on the size of the quilt and type of pattern. Generally though, you’ll want between 12 and 24 t shirts for a full or queen size quilt. A smaller throw size could probably get done with as few as 8 shirts. At the same time, don’t forget to have extra leftover fabric in case you need it for things like borders or backing material.
Is it hard to sew t shirt quilt blocks together?

Putting together the blocks for a t shirt quilt is relatively straightforward. Of course, sewing small pieces of knit fabric takes a little practice. Even so, the process is not too different from quilting with regular fabric. It maybe takes a bit longer since the shirt material is stretchier. As long as you use a stretch or ballpoint needle and are careful not to overstretch the seams, the quilting shouldn’t be too tough.
How do I prepare the t shirts for quilting?

To get t shirts ready for quilting, the first thing you’ll want to do is remove any graphics or wording from the front. The easiest way is usually to cut it into strips or squares. However, you can also pick or dissolve them away if you’re feeling ambitious. Next, give the shirts a good wash to get them nice and clean. Then press and trim them so the blocks are all the same size before you start piecing them together.
What’s the best way to finish the raw edges of a t shirt quilt?

There are a couple good options for finishing the raw edges of a t shirt quilt. One is to simply serge or zigzag stitch the edges to keep them from fraying. A maybe even better technique is to cover the raw edges with bias tape or binding before sewing the quilt layers together. This hidden seam look is very professional. Other edge treatments that work well are folded hems or narrowly binding the perimeter.
How do you attach a backing and batting to a t shirt quilt top?

As for putting on the backing and batting, the standard procedure is to layer the quilt sandwich – top/batting/backing – then use safety pins or spray basting to temporarily secure the layers. After that you can quilt as desired, either by hand or machine. To finish it off, simply bind the edges like a regular quilt. But is that really the best way? Perhaps an expert quilter could offer insight on superior attachment methods.
Is it hard to machine quilt a t shirt quilt?

Machine quilting a t shirt quilt is pretty similar to quilting other fabrics, so it shouldn’t provide too many challenges. Just take it slow and be gentle with the speed and pressure since t shirt material tends to stretch more than cotton. Going with an open, sparse quilt design might be safer than super dense patterns when working with knits. As long as your machine can handle stretchy fabrics well, the process shouldn’t require any special skills. It’s just using basic free motion quilting techniques.