How to Make a T-Shirt Quilt

Lilly Campbell, contributor

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Here is the finished product... just waiting to be moved to my dorm bed :)

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I am proud to say that my summer project is complete and just in time, might I add, since I will be heading back to school this coming weekend. I wanted to offer a tutorial for my quilt as a final goodbye and good luck to all you crafters out there.

Now, I should definitely specify that given my time constraints and inexperience I cut some corners (both literally and figuratively) in putting together this final product. I did not bind the quilt because I was intimidated by all of the instructions I found for binding. Unfortunately, Mary Ray's "How to Make Mitered Corners for Bindings" came out just a few days too late because I think her awesome tutorial would have given me the courage to give it a try. Regardless, you can apply binding and quilting techniques to your t-shirt quilt if you're up to the challenge.

Get more T-shirt projects: • How to Restyle a T-Shirt into a Ruffly Cardigan • How to Upcycle a T-Shirt into a Cardigan • How to Crochet a Rug out of T-Shirts • How to Make a Headband from an Old T-Shirt

How to Make a T-shirt Quilt

Supplies:

- 24 cotton t-shirts (this was for a 4 x 6 square quilt for a twin-size bed). You may want extras so that you can decide to leave some out at the end if they don't fit your color scheme.

- fabric scraps galore (these should be strips of fabric, up to 14" in length, in widths from 1-4")

- large piece of fabric for backing (2 yards (72") by 3 yards (108") gave me enough extra to make a border for the front as well)

- rotary cutter, cutting mat, long plexi-glass ruler, and scissors

- sewing machine, pins, and thread

- iron and fusible interfacing

- heavy-weight batting

- 3 skeins of embroidery thread in a neutral tone and an embroidery needle

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Comments (13)

mariadvg writes: I haven't sewn before and want to tackle this project. Is there hope for me??
Posted: 9:23 pm on June 25th

LSzogas writes: Hi!

I just finished my first t-shirt quilt, and I'm ready to start tying. My squares are 12", and my sashing is 1-1/2". I've decided that I'll tie every 4" in the shirt, plus at 4" intervals on the seams. Does this sound reasonable?

Your method of tying sounds very efficient - I hadn't thought about making a line of stitches, and then cutting them. What kind of thread did you use to tie? I was thinking about embroidery thread - but not sure whether 3 strands or 6 strands would be best. I've seen both mentioned.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

Laurie


Posted: 1:59 pm on September 12th

librarygirlo writes: Very inspiring. I think the key to success just may be the use of interfacing behind the t-shirt material!
Posted: 10:16 am on March 7th

sd101 writes: how long did it take you to make the quilt!!
It looks fabulous!!!
Posted: 6:45 pm on November 26th

arienna writes: JUST SIGNED UP TODAY AND YOUR T-SHIRT QUILT GOT MY EYE.I HAVE IN A BIG BAG AROUND FORTY T-SHIRTS AND NOW I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING WITH THEM AND THE BOX OF FABRICS IN MY CLOSET.THANK YOU!
BEST WISES TO YOU AT SCHOOL!
Posted: 5:25 am on July 16th

Mickderb writes: Your quilt is very nice, so colorful and fun. T-shirt quilting is my favorite pass time. I would like to share with readers that recycling the unused backs and sleeves of the t-shirts can be donated to animal shelters or to painters/construction companies. (Some who might even pay for them as clean-up rags).
Posted: 12:45 pm on January 17th

coffee_snob writes: Thank you. Your instructions have inspired me to make a t-shirt quist for my husband. He collects t-shirts, but he no longer wears the older ones. This way he can enjoy them all over again.
Posted: 8:26 am on October 15th

4dogs3cats writes: I am delighted to find this....its something I have planned to do, for a long time, for my son..he was into all kinds of activities and each time, we got another t shirt..this will be a REAL memory quilt! thanks.......
Posted: 2:49 am on September 28th

KeetaCollection writes: What a wonderful quilt. I can see you put a lot of time into it.
Posted: 4:20 pm on September 18th

_nikki_ writes: is that a t-shirt with a Corgi on it I see!?!!?
Posted: 4:21 pm on August 25th

IggyJingles writes: Congratulations, it looks just beautiful. Don't forget to sign the back. Quilters will often sew a small hand written (or embroidered) label with their name, the date, and any name they have given the piece. It's art. It deserves a signature.
Posted: 9:28 pm on August 11th

MichaelaMurphy writes: Wow, Lilly, this is terrific! I agree with Diane, the framing really sets off the whole quilt very nicely. Thanks for all of your hard work this summer! Good luck at school, I'll miss you. M
Posted: 6:08 pm on August 11th

Sister_Diane writes: I love the idea of framing the t-shirt pieces in other fabrics - the mix is really fun, and also makes this more elegant than any other t-shirt quilt I've seen. Nice work! And, good luck at school!
Posted: 5:01 pm on August 11th

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