T-Shirt Quilt Instructions

Don't feel like parting with your old t-shirts? Got too many old t-shirt, some are faded, some have stitching coming out, some even have holes..? Worry not, use the below instructions to create some interesting t-shirt quilt designs. There are many t-shirt quilt makers, and you can find some online, if you don't have time to make the quilts yourself. But, making the quilt pattern is a fun DIY arts and crafts project and with some materials you can make a great looking quilt at home. Here, are the steps you need to follow and stuff you need.

How to Make T-Shirt Quilt?
Things you require are:

• T-shirts
• Interfacing (fusible, woven type)
• Cotton batting
• Regular quilting cotton fabric
• Cardboard sheets
• Rotary cutter

Step #1: Layout Design
This is an important step, which will guide you in deciding the sizes of t-shirt quilt designs. According to the number of t-shirts you have, design the layout. For example, if you have 12 tees, then they can be made into a 3 across and 4 down quilt pattern, and quilt will be around 48 by 64 inch size. So decide the across and down blocks number, according to the availability of the number of t-shirts.

Step #2: Cleaning and Cutting the T-shirts
Wash all the t-shirts, and if you have t-shirts which are never used, then get wash them twice. Now, take a cardboard sheet and cut out a square of size 15 inches, so that you have a frame. Make sure you make a perfect frame. Now, place this frame on a t-shirt, and using a pencil mark the 15 by 15 inches boundary on the t-shirt, and cut the square pieces of t-shirt using a rotary cutter, and separate the front of the tee from the back. Try to avoid any stained t-shirt, and take care to crop the front design of the shirt well.

Step #3: Cutting the Interfacing
You can get the pre-shrink fusible material if required. In a similar manner mentioned above, make a frame out of cardboard sheet, but the frame this time should be 2 inches larger, so it will be 17 by 17 inches. Place the frame on fusing, mark the 17 by 17 inches size, and cut out the square pieces of the fusing using a rotary cutter.

Step #4: Fusing
Read the manufacturer's instructions while fusing the t-shirt. Now, position the interfacing with the resin side won, on the unprinted size of the t-shirt and try to center the design as much as you can. To avoid getting any glue on your iron, remember to use a press cloth. Take out all the wrinkles when ironing.

Step #5: Arranging the Blocks
Now, arrange the blocks in a pattern you like. Lay out the squares on the floor, and arrange the t-shirt quilt pattern in such a way that you balance out the colors and designs well.

Step #6: Sewing the Blocks
Then, keep sewing together the blocks in rows, which can be either vertical or horizontal. Insert the sashing pieces. Now, assemble the rows, and then add the borders.

Step #7: Finishing
Then layer the backing and batting and the quilt top, and baste or safety pin it together. You can quilt your quilt using a quilting machine or tie it to hold the layers together.

Once you know how to use interfacing and t-shirt to create quilt, you can experiment with different t-shirt quilt ideas and patterns, like arranging the t-shirts in a diagonal pattern or in a random pattern, to create more interesting t-shirt quilts.