Has anyone taken old t-shirts and jerseys and tried to make a quilt? I would love to try to do it but have no idea where to start or if there are any books on in how to do this.
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http://www.goosetracks.com/T-ShirtQuiltInstructions.html
Bags, here's one link with directios. If you type in t-shirt quilts, you'll find tons of places you can have them made and probalbly more sites with directions too.
I've never made one although I've thought about it many times. Too many other uncompleted projects and I want to learn to crochet this winter. I've seen many of them though and they're a beautiful keepsake. Our HS volleyball coach is actually gathering up all the old t-shirts from our teams and one of our grandmothers is going to make one for us to display in his classroom! Good luck and let us know how yours turn out if you proceed!!
Bags, here's one link with directios. If you type in t-shirt quilts, you'll find tons of places you can have them made and probalbly more sites with directions too.
I've never made one although I've thought about it many times. Too many other uncompleted projects and I want to learn to crochet this winter. I've seen many of them though and they're a beautiful keepsake. Our HS volleyball coach is actually gathering up all the old t-shirts from our teams and one of our grandmothers is going to make one for us to display in his classroom! Good luck and let us know how yours turn out if you proceed!!
I made a t-shirt quilt for someone else and have been accumulating various team jerseys and favorite t-shirts belonging to my son, so that I can send him off to college with a t-shirt quilt featuring momentos special to him.
T-shirt quilts are simple to make and the real beauty to them is there is no one right way to do them. The only real key is to use a fusible backing on each of the t-shirt or jersey pieces in order to give the fabric stability. Then you can piece them however you want. You can use pieces that are all the same size or mix larger and smaller emblems and sayings. You can vary colors and fabrics, use only t-shirts and jerseys or intersperse them with other non-tshirt fabrics to tie it all together. You can even work in parts of jerseys with buttons or zippers for added dimension. Those can be handled two ways: either sew them closed before adding the fusible backing or fasten them closed and put them over another jersey that is fused to backing. That way, the jersey can be unbuttoned or unzipped to reveal the jersey underneath. That's particularly appropriate if your son had a favorite shirt he always wore under his game jersey, but you don't really want to do that more than once in the same quilt because it will become very bulky.
Something to keep in mind, as well, is that because t-shirt quilts have the t-shirt or jersey material stabilized on fusible backing, they tend to have even more weight than regular quilts when you're putting them together - no big deal if you have a quilter's machine, but it can be tough if you have a regular lightweight sewing machine like the Singer that I use. Putting the top together isn't bad, but once my poor machine is dealing with a large heavy quilt, I have to pay attention to how she feels and give her a break if she starts to heat up. Someday I'm hoping Santa will bring me a real quilter's machine, but until then, I'll just be careful with my baby. She has served me well. I currently have one quilt top sitting on my ironing board ready for borders and backing and a second smaller quilt ready to be pieced.
I don't have a lot of free time, but quilting is how I destress, so I usually have a couple of projects either in-process or ready to go. Son is only a junior, so I have time before I piece his t-shirt quilt, but I am really looking forward to it. I actually have a couple of his baby items that will be added to the quilt, along with the jersey he wore when he played peewee rec s****r.
Have fun with your quilt. There's no wrong way to put together something so special.
T-shirt quilts are simple to make and the real beauty to them is there is no one right way to do them. The only real key is to use a fusible backing on each of the t-shirt or jersey pieces in order to give the fabric stability. Then you can piece them however you want. You can use pieces that are all the same size or mix larger and smaller emblems and sayings. You can vary colors and fabrics, use only t-shirts and jerseys or intersperse them with other non-tshirt fabrics to tie it all together. You can even work in parts of jerseys with buttons or zippers for added dimension. Those can be handled two ways: either sew them closed before adding the fusible backing or fasten them closed and put them over another jersey that is fused to backing. That way, the jersey can be unbuttoned or unzipped to reveal the jersey underneath. That's particularly appropriate if your son had a favorite shirt he always wore under his game jersey, but you don't really want to do that more than once in the same quilt because it will become very bulky.
Something to keep in mind, as well, is that because t-shirt quilts have the t-shirt or jersey material stabilized on fusible backing, they tend to have even more weight than regular quilts when you're putting them together - no big deal if you have a quilter's machine, but it can be tough if you have a regular lightweight sewing machine like the Singer that I use. Putting the top together isn't bad, but once my poor machine is dealing with a large heavy quilt, I have to pay attention to how she feels and give her a break if she starts to heat up. Someday I'm hoping Santa will bring me a real quilter's machine, but until then, I'll just be careful with my baby. She has served me well. I currently have one quilt top sitting on my ironing board ready for borders and backing and a second smaller quilt ready to be pieced.
I don't have a lot of free time, but quilting is how I destress, so I usually have a couple of projects either in-process or ready to go. Son is only a junior, so I have time before I piece his t-shirt quilt, but I am really looking forward to it. I actually have a couple of his baby items that will be added to the quilt, along with the jersey he wore when he played peewee rec s****r.
Have fun with your quilt. There's no wrong way to put together something so special.
Thanks for the information. I got my husband to buy me a new sewing machine this weekend. My old one was my college graduation present and I don't think there is anyone still around that could fix it. I can't wait to start but have to wait until after the holidays or I won't get anything else done!
My lovely bride has made two. Perhaps I need her to contact you.
bags - Let us know how it turns out! 
brideofJT is going to set up an account and get back with you. Ladies, please treat my bride well, she has a difficult enough time with me.
Your Missus will be treated well we promise! We like to take care of our own,...and you know what it feels like to be opposite us. ( Not pretty is it?? tee hee!!! )
She's got an " in-for-free " card cause she's a gal pal!
I'd like to send her a hearty welcome,..even before she gets here. We are looking forward to her arrival!! ( wanna hear her quilting tips too!! )
She's got an " in-for-free " card cause she's a gal pal!
I'd like to send her a hearty welcome,..even before she gets here. We are looking forward to her arrival!! ( wanna hear her quilting tips too!! )
quote:MrsJT is going to set up an account and get back with you.
JT - That's super!
bagsbaseball I am sending you PM
quote:Originally posted by shortstopmom:
Your Missus will be treated well we promise! We like to take care of our own,...and you know what it feels like to be opposite us. ( Not pretty is it?? tee hee!!! )
She's got an " in-for-free " card cause she's a gal pal!
I'd like to send her a hearty welcome,..even before she gets here. We are looking forward to her arrival!! ( wanna hear her quilting tips too!! )
Thanks for the welcome...when I am not at work I will let you know how I made my son's quilt...it is quite big and he loves it. Later!
Yes, welcome to JT's better half..... and look forward to you sharing the how to's on the quilt.....
I don't know a darn thing about quilting but I do know when to wish a grand welcome to a new galfriend ...
brideofJT ...
Welcome aboard. But wouldn't it be a more appropriate thing if we used your initials and had JT become the "groomeof_ _ "???
Hope to see you around the boards. And remember that the Ladies Forum is always a kinder and gentler place to visit. Can't remember anytime when anyone in here sniped at a galfriend.
brideofJT ...
Welcome aboard. But wouldn't it be a more appropriate thing if we used your initials and had JT become the "groomeof_ _ "???
Hope to see you around the boards. And remember that the Ladies Forum is always a kinder and gentler place to visit. Can't remember anytime when anyone in here sniped at a galfriend.
hmmmm. GroomofMC? Sure has a good ring to it, but since I was the one who made the purchase, the other way is more accurate (she can explain that one). Besides, that name might get my man-card revoked on the rest of the board, and could result in some very bad KARMA.
Yes, welcome Mrs. JT! Glad to have you join us!!!
Thank you ladies for all the welcomes I have received. Like KmomNH I also quilt to releive stress...it really calms me down and besides unless you watch ESPN on TV All the time like grommofMC there really isn't much to see so I would rather be busy making something...it is good for background noise.
The two t-shirt were 14" finished squares with 30 blocks...and 2" finished sashing between them and then my border which is the same as the sashing only wider...my sashing has been a grass print looking material...Some blocks do require piecing two together and smaller t-shirts may need other t-shirt material added to the sides or the top corners...
Anyway the biggest thing I learned from the first quilt is to make the square larger than it needs to be be...and after you iron the interfacing to the back of each t-shirt square then size it down...so I cut my interfacing (very lightweight) and shirts to 15" (I have a 15" square ruler)iron them together and then trim them to 14.5"...the ironing tends to stretch the shirts some and the become cockeyed...now your squares will be consistent and will make it easier to sew...
I personally have had my t-shirts machine quilted by someone who has a long arm machine...this way I know my quilt is not going to fall apart...it was worth the money...
groomofMC will help me post a picture of my son's quilt...maybe after Thanksgiving as we are going to MI to visit my Mom and siblings...we are going to present her with a photo memory quilt (wall hanging) that has 61 pictures hand sewn on...can't wait to see her face!
Well I really must go since I am at work (with not much to do).
If anyone would like personal assistance or even hire me to make a t-shirt quilt for you just send me a PM.
Happy thanks giving to all!
The two t-shirt were 14" finished squares with 30 blocks...and 2" finished sashing between them and then my border which is the same as the sashing only wider...my sashing has been a grass print looking material...Some blocks do require piecing two together and smaller t-shirts may need other t-shirt material added to the sides or the top corners...
Anyway the biggest thing I learned from the first quilt is to make the square larger than it needs to be be...and after you iron the interfacing to the back of each t-shirt square then size it down...so I cut my interfacing (very lightweight) and shirts to 15" (I have a 15" square ruler)iron them together and then trim them to 14.5"...the ironing tends to stretch the shirts some and the become cockeyed...now your squares will be consistent and will make it easier to sew...
I personally have had my t-shirts machine quilted by someone who has a long arm machine...this way I know my quilt is not going to fall apart...it was worth the money...
groomofMC will help me post a picture of my son's quilt...maybe after Thanksgiving as we are going to MI to visit my Mom and siblings...we are going to present her with a photo memory quilt (wall hanging) that has 61 pictures hand sewn on...can't wait to see her face!
Well I really must go since I am at work (with not much to do).
If anyone would like personal assistance or even hire me to make a t-shirt quilt for you just send me a PM.
Happy thanks giving to all!