With graduation season coming up quickly, one of the most widely asked questions is "how do I make a t-shirt quilt?" Cut Loose Press™ has a REALLY good answer. The answer is in pattern T-Shirt Quilt #CLPHA009
With just 3 things: this pattern, the Creative Grids® 14-1/2" Fussy Cut Square Up Ruler #CGRSQ14 by Penny Haren (available at local quilt shops), and The Gypsy Quilter® Quilt Tee Fusible #TGQ050 (also available at local quilt shops), you have an entire kit that makes it easy to learn and fast to make. There are some other things you need to know before getting started.
- The fusible is necessary to prevent stretch when you are cutting and sewing the T-shirts so it is advisable to iron it onto the back side of the t-shirt section you are using BEFORE cutting.
- DO NOT IRON OVER THE VINYL DESIGNS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE T-SHIRTS. In fact, when ironing the fusible onto the back side, be sure your iron is hot enough but not too hot to melt the vinyl on the front.
- DO NOT USE SHIRTS WITH PATCHES. Patches are just too thick for a longarm machine to penetrate and they will send it back to you undone. If you HAVE to use a T-shirt with a patch, you will likely have to quilt the quilt yourself and go around the patch, or hand tie it yourself.
- The Creative Grids® 12-1/2" Fussy Cut Square Up Ruler #CGRSQ12 by Penny Haren is another option for smaller sized t-shirt designs but it doesn't always encompass the entire picture on larger designs.
- For border fabric, find a print with lots of color that picks up from the colors in the T-shirts. It doesn't matter if there are a few whose color is not represented. This is a colorful quilt and it's fun that way!
- A Solid color sashing fabric is a good 'break' for the eye. Make sure that you use some. You could even put it in the border instead of a patterned fabric.
I have seen T-Shirt quilts made with, and without batting. They can be done both ways but usually those who choose not to use batting put a flannel or cuddle cloth on the back. This gives the quilt a bit more of the cozy factor if no batting is chosen. It can be quite heavy to use both batting and flannel. I am partial to batting and a regular quilting cotton on the back. The heft and loft of the finished quilt is perfect to cuddle up with.
Give it a try!
FOR QUILT SHOPS: Why not put a kit together that is all ready to go the next time someone asks about T-Shirt quilts? Just 3 items. Checker Distributors has everything you need. www.checkerdist.com