How to Make a Quilt From T-shirts

Old t-shirts can have a lot of sentimental value, so instead of throwing away or giving away your memories, recycle them into a fun, functional craft. If you have at least 25 or 30 old t-shirts, making them into a quilt is a great way to utilize your clothes in a craft project, even if you've never quilted before.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 25-to-30 t-shirts
• Fabric scissors
• Thread
• A queen size sheet or other fabric for backing
• Batting
• Sewing machine

1. Cut out each of the t-shirt logos to be the same size. It helps to make a cardboard template to cut around so that they are all the same.

2. Arrange the order you want the t-shirts to be in.

3. Pin the shirts together in rows and pin them together.

4. Sew the t-shirts together one row at a time, putting the good sides facing each other so that the seam is at the back. After you have sewn all the rows, sew the rows to one another in the same fashion.

5. Iron the t-shirt panels so that the seams are flat.

6. Lay the sheet on the ground and place the batting on top of the sheet. Place the t-shirt panels on top of the batting.

7. Tuck the edges of the sheets and the t-shirt panels under and pin together.

8. Sew the edges, removing the pins as you sew.

Tips & Warnings

• Make this project more challenging by adding a matching fabric border between the t-shirts, and by adding ribbon or other accents.

[Susanh]

on 4/14/2008 I've made several T-shirt quilts and I'm surprised that fusible interfacing isn't mentioned here...

Most times, T-shirts will tend to be a bit flimsy, so for each panel, I used fusible interfacing to give the T-shirt some stability. It seems like it would give the quilt a stiff quality, but it doesn't. I've washed mine with no problem and the quilts are very soft and cuddly.

Even if you only have a few T-shirts, you can use them, along with borders and sashing, to make an adorable child's quilt or a larger adult quilt.

Have fun! :)