How to Make a T-Shirt Quilt

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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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Tying Your Quilt

I spent a lot of time jabbering about quilt tying before, so I will try not to rehash too much of what I've said already. I do have some tips based on experience, however, and I certainly learned that my glorious idea to include a design with every tie was a little unreasonable. It turns out you need to tie at intervals between 2-4" which meant that tying was A LOT more time consuming than I anticipated. Double-knots were about all I could handle.

I tied along the edges between my rows and columns of squares and then at about 3.5" intervals throughout the quilt. Because my squares didn't line up perfectly, my tying distances were also a little impercise to keep them lined up with the squares.

1. Thread your embroidery needle and starting at the bottom of the quilt, pull the needle up through the corner between the border and the first square on the left. Make a small stitch, pull the needle down through all three layers and then insert it back up at your 2-4" interval. Repeat, stitching across the bottom edge until you reach opposite corner.

2. On the back of the quilt, cut half-way between each large stitch. Tie a double-knot with the two ends of embroidery thread and trim to about 3 cm in length. (Note: I wanted my ties on the back of the quilt so as not to interrupt the designs on the front. You can easily alter these directions to have the ties on the front).

3. Repeat all the way up your quilt (good luck!) and when you reach the top border you are all done.

I hope this helps anyone interested in making a t-shirt quilt. I'd be happy to answer questions or clarify if need-be. I have had so much fun posting this summer and I know that CraftStylish.com will continue to be one of my favorite distractions this coming year.

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Comments (12)

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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