How to Make a T-Shirt Blanket

Turn T-shirts into a cozy blanket.

A collection of T-shirts can be transformed into a cozy blanket by creating a patchwork pattern of the T-shirt messages and logos. In essence, you will be turning your T-shirts into a quilt. A quilt is composed of a three-part sandwich that includes a patchwork top, a middle section of quilt batting that can be purchased at a fabric store, and a muslin fabric backing. The project is not difficult and can be accomplished with hand sewing or the use of a sewing machine.

Things You'll Need

• 36 T-shirts
• Scissors
• Cardboard
• Pen
• Ruler
• 2 yards fusible webbing
• 2 yards quilt batting
• 2 yards cotton muslin fabric
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Thread
• Straight pins
• Safety pins
• Tapestry needle
• Embroidery thread

Instructions

1. Determine a size for the patchwork squares. Make sure the squares are large enough to show the T-shirt's artwork with a 1/4-inch sewing border.

2. Cut a cardboard template to serve as a guide for the squares. Cut all the T-shirts into squares.

3. Cut the fusible webbing to 2 inches larger than the T-shirt squares. Iron the webbing on the back of the T-shirt squares. Pull off the webbing’s paper backing and trim the webbing to the same size as the T-shirt squares.

4. Sew the T-shirt squares together with a 1/4-inch straight seam, two at a time, then in groups of four. Sew the groups of four together to complete the patchwork T-shirt quilt top.

5. Cut the quilt backing and muslin to the exact measurement of the T-shirt quilt top.

6. Place the muslin on a large tabletop. Place the quilt batting on top of the muslin, matching the edges. Place the T-shirt quilt top over the batting, matching the edges.

7. Pin the three layers together with two safety pins in every T-shirt square.

8. Thread a tapestry needle with three strands of embroidery thread.

9. Make a 1/4-inch stitch through each T-shirt square corner from front to back and returning to the front. Tie a square knot in the thread and the ends to 1-inch.

10. Cut a long 2-inch-wide strip of muslin fabric to the length of the perimeter of the quilt for a binding. Position the binding fabric against the quilt top at the edge. Pin with the straight pins and sew to the top 1/4-inch from the edge, one side at a time.

11. Fold the binding over 1/2 inch twice and hand-sew to the back of the quilt.

References

• Straw Home: How To Make A Tee Shirt Quilt