T-Shirt Quilt
Directions by Vivian Gibson
Gather all your T-shirts. These directions are for using children size t-shirts. If you use adult sizes, the only difference will be the size of your block. For a nice size quilt, you can use the fronts of 12 t-shirts for your blocks. If you have shirts with the fronts and backs printed, you may use both sides. You will place three blocks across and four blocks going down to make a total of 12 blocks.
Step 1:
Measure the front of the t-shirt block across the top chest from sleeve seam to sleeve seam you should have about 13 inches. This is going to determine your block size. Remember that in quilting you use a 1/4 inch seam allowance rather than a 5/8 inch seam. Measure ALL the t-shirts as one may be a little larger or even a little smaller. The size for all the blocks will have to be the size of your smallest measured T-shirt. For example...If one t-shirt is 12 and 1/2 inches and the rest are 13 inches then you will have to cut all the shirts to equal the smallest t-shirt across the chest. That means the size of your blocks will be 12 and 1/2 inches since that was the smallest one measured. You must make all the blocks the same size.
Step 2:
As the T-shirt is laying flat on the table, cut up both sides and through the sleeve. This opens the t-shirt up.
Step 3:
For the next step you will need to cut fusible interfacing into 12 squares that are apx. 14 inches square (or about 1.5 inches LARGER than your block size.) Iron each fusible square on the back of the t-shirt being careful to center the interfacing over the design on the front of the shirt or if no design then center the interfacing. You can usually see through the t-shirt to see where your design is, so this isn't too difficult.
Step 4:
It is easier to cut the blocks if you use a cutting mat, and rotary cutter with a large plastic ruler. Use a wooden yard stick if you don't have the large plastic ruler. With an erasable marking pen or pencil, mark your square on the front of the t-shirt. Be sure to make your sides equal and then cut the square out. Remember that each block MUST have a ¼ inch seam allowance and that ALL the blocks must be the same size. These are then your finished blocks and there should be a total of twelve.
Step 5:
Let us assume that your blocks are 12 ½ inch squares. Now all you need to do is sew them together. I use 100% cotton fabric and cut 2 ½ inch strips for the sashing (the strips that are sewn in between the blocks) and the borders (the strips that go around the outside edges of the quilt.) Cut 8 strips 2 ½ inches wide by 12 ½ inches long. These 2.5"X12.5" strips are the ones that will go in between your square blocks on each row going across the quilt ß --à Sew one strip on the right side of a block. Then sew the left side of the next block to that strip. Then sew a strip to the right hand side of the second block and sew the third block to that strip. If your blocks are 12 ½ inches square, you will now have a 40 ¼ inch long strip that consists of a BLOCK, a STRIP, a BLOCK, a STRIP and a BLOCK. Now use the rest of your 2 ½ inch X 12 ½ inch strips to make three more rows of blocks and strips. This will give you a total of four rows. Now cut 5 strips of cotton fabric 2 ½ inches wide by 40 ¼ inches long. Sew 3 of these strips in between the three rows of blocks using one strip between each row. Finally, sew the last two strips to each end of the rows. You should now have a large rectangle measuring 44 ½ inches wide by 58 ½ inches long. This is your finished quilt top. ALWAYS, ALWAYS check and recheck your measurements !
Step 6:
Now you need to layer the quilt top with batting then the backing. You should have a sandwich of A) Quilt top B) Batting and C) backing . For backing use cotton or muslin cut about 2 inches LARGER than the quilt top. Pin these layers together with safety pins to prevent the layers from slipping.
Step 7.
Either tie the blocks using cord or machine quilt the entire thing by sewing around each block and around each design if the blocks if you used designs.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS check and recheck your measurements !