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Thread: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

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    Jean Sewing Machine's Avatar Jean Sewing Machine is offline Senior Member
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    Default Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    A friend is asking me to make a t shirt quilt for her. I know she has dozen of shirts. I don't want to go crazy at any cost! So, for you who have made them, what would you say would be the max number of shirts to incorporate? Would you put them on the front and back? Do you sash round them with quilter's cotton? I know you interface behind the shirts, do you use woven, knit or non- woven interfacing? Is it hard to quilt them? What kind of quilt pattern do you use?

    Before I get in over my head, just thought I'd ask for advice.
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    Doloris's Avatar Doloris is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt-tee-4.jpg

    I use 30 tees, 5x6, and it comes out a large twin, small full. Depends on how big you cut the tees. Mine are usually 12"--14". It depends on the designs on the shirts. Whatever the largest shirt design is what my squares are. Sometimes I can get a design from the front and the back. When I get the shirts the customer has put a note on each shirt for what designs she wants in the quilt.

    I found some ultralight interfacing at J's for this one and I like it a lot. Use to use featherweight, but this was lighter.

    I usually use a 2" sashing, but you can use whatever works to get it to a size you need



    As for quilting, I have someone quilt for me, and I know the rubbery designs sometimes give him trouble, but as long as the tees are interfaced and not rubbery they don't give him much problems. He just does all over designs, no fancy stuff for me.

    I cut the tees up the side seams, across the shoulder, and cut the sleeve off. Cut interfacing about an inch or so larger than your square is going to be and press on the back of the trimmed tee. Then flip it to the front and use a square to center the design as best you can and trim out the tee. I had a local glass place cut some squares of various sizes and they are clear with no lines in the way. Work great and were cheap. Once the tee is stabilized it is very easy to work with.
    Last edited by Doloris; February 24th, 2014 at 08:45 PM.
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    Dolores

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    rebeccas-sewing's Avatar rebeccas-sewing is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    I've made about 5 T-shirt quilts. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of them. Not quite sure how I slipped up on that one. In terms of size I would say anything goes. I think I sashed all of the ones I made and added cornerstones. However, I have seen lots of them that are not sashed. I guess it's just personal preference. Google "images" and you'll see a number of different ways to make them. None of my customers ever gave me a size they wanted. They were very willing to give me free rein on the creativity and the size.

    I preferred using cotton or cotton/polyester for the sashing and cornerstones. It's less work since you would have to use interfacing on that fabric if you go with stretch material. You should be able to judge by the size of one of the t-shirts what your average block size will be. If they don't state a specific size they want I'd just do what I could with what I was given. If they do request a size, once you are given the t-shirts you'll be able to give a ballpark of the size you'd be able to produce. You may find they want a big quilt but there aren't enough t-shirts so you'll have to let them know how large or small you can go. I hope that's helpful.

    My favorite was a fairly large quilt I made for a window company in the town where I live. The t-shirts were company shirts from all the years the company has been in business. Lots of shirts with retro-babes on them, race-car type images. Super fun. I believe the owner has it hanging on the wall in his office. It was a surprise gift from his employees. That was a very satisfying experience and they gave me way more money than I asked for which was the icing on the cake.
    Last edited by rebeccas-sewing; February 24th, 2014 at 08:43 PM.
    Rebecca in Baarn, Netherlands by way of Orange County, CA.

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    K. McEuen's Avatar K. McEuen is online now Moderator
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    Carol aka Snippet was using the coolest interfacing on her t-shirt quilt she was making at the retreat. I can't remember the name of it, but if I ever get around to making one I'm going to hunt that stuff down. Hopefully she will come by and see this post.
    K is for Karen

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    auntiemern's Avatar auntiemern is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    This will be a post I will be following as well. The father that just lost his son when he was born to early, has asked me about t-shirt quilts for his daughters. I no nothing about doing one.
    You should check out our FB Group

    The Quilting Cupboard https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingcupboard//

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    cindirae's Avatar cindirae is offline Member
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    I've made dozens of t-shirt quilts. The number of shirts you will use will depend on the size of the the t-shirt block - which is determined by the size of the largest logo on the shirts you will use. I've written a t-shirt quilt tutorial if you're interested....

    T-Shirt Quilt Tutorial for beginners | Seams to be you and me

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    Jean Sewing Machine's Avatar Jean Sewing Machine is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    Quote Originally Posted by cindirae View Post
    I've made dozens of t-shirt quilts. The number of shirts you will use will depend on the size of the the t-shirt block - which is determined by the size of the largest logo on the shirts you will use. I've written a t-shirt quilt tutorial if you're interested....

    T-Shirt Quilt Tutorial for beginners | Seams to be you and me
    Your tutorial is great! Thanks for sharing. I'm not as scared about the piecing as I am of the quilting. I will practice with some of my shirts to see if my longarm will cooperate.

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    bhaggerty's Avatar bhaggerty is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    Pellon is a must!

    the largest one that I have made was a queen t-shirt quilt (12 inch finished blocks) that was 7 x7 blocks = 49!
    I used a one inch sashing.
    Some of the blocks were more than one shirt - if the shirts were plain I pieced them
    Happy Quilting!

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    Doloris's Avatar Doloris is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    Quote Originally Posted by cindirae View Post
    I've made dozens of t-shirt quilts. The number of shirts you will use will depend on the size of the the t-shirt block - which is determined by the size of the largest logo on the shirts you will use. I've written a t-shirt quilt tutorial if you're interested....

    T-Shirt Quilt Tutorial for beginners | Seams to be you and me
    I think this is a great tute and pretty much how I do my tee shirt quilts. I do my horizontal sashing all in one piece though. Personal choice. Does take a little more effort to get the rows lined up, but no seams in that sashing.
    Just look for a very light weight non woven interfacing and all should be good.
    I've had to piece in the corners of a tee a few times too, and you never see it once the quilt it put together
    Last edited by Doloris; February 25th, 2014 at 09:35 AM.
    Dolores

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    cindirae's Avatar cindirae is offline Member
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    Default Re: Max number of shirts in a T shirt quilt

    Quote Originally Posted by Doloris View Post
    I think this is a great tute and pretty much how I do my tee shirt quilts. I do my horizontal sashing all in one piece though. Personal choice. Does take a little more effort to get the rows lined up, but no seams in that sashing.
    Just look for a very light weight non woven interfacing and all should be good.
    I've had to piece in the corners of a tee a few times too, and you never see it once the quilt it put together
    Deloris, thanks for the kind comment on the tute I just absolutely stink at getting the rows lined up in the sashing, hence the reason I do it that way, LOL! Plus, since it was a beginner's tute I wanted to make it as easy as possible for beginners. Once it's quilted the sashing seams aren't even noticeable. I had actually originally created the tute for my cousins who sew but had never quilted, so that's why it's pretty detailed.
    Last edited by cindirae; February 25th, 2014 at 09:49 AM.

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