Batting For T-Shirt Quilts: A Step-By-Step Guide

Batting, or wadding, is the middle layer of a quilt that goes between the quilt top and the backing fabric. It is the insulation that gives quilts their warmth and puffy appearance. When making a T-shirt quilt, you can use batting made from various materials, including polyester, cotton, cotton/poly blends, wool, or bamboo. The type of batting you use will influence the look, feel, and longevity of your quilt. For example, polyester batting is inexpensive but may wad up or poke out of the quilt over time. On the other hand, wool batting is expensive and lightweight, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Ultimately, the choice of batting depends on your personal preference and the desired characteristics of your T-shirt quilt.

Choosing batting material

Batting, or wadding, is the middle "stuffing" of a quilt. It is the insulation that goes between the quilt top and the backing fabric. The type of batting used influences the look, quality, feel, and longevity of your T-shirt quilt.

There are many types of batting to choose from, such as polyester, cotton, cotton/poly blends, wool, and bamboo. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right batting for your T-shirt quilt:

Loft

Loft refers to the thickness of the batting. Low loft batting will result in a thinner quilt, while high loft batting will give a thicker, comforter-like finish. Low loft batting is easier to work with, especially if you are quilting by hand. High loft batting is better for showcasing quilting stitches.

Fiber

The three most common types of quilt batting are polyester, 100% cotton, and cotton/poly blend, each with its pros and cons. Wool, bamboo, and silk batting options are also available but are usually more expensive.

Polyester Batting

Polyester batting is lightweight, durable, and less expensive. It is suitable for hand quilting and does not need to be quilted as closely together. However, it tends to shift when not densely quilted and can "beard," meaning the polyester fibers can migrate through the fabric to the outside of the quilt.

Cotton Batting

Cotton batting feels like thick flannel and is a breathable natural fiber. It is better for machine quilting and needs to be quilted closely to prevent bunching after washing. It washes well without pilling and softens over time, giving the quilt a vintage appearance.

Cotton/Poly Blend Batting

Cotton/poly blend batting, such as an 80/20 blend, combines the benefits of both fibers. It is similar to 100% cotton but is less expensive and shrinks less. It is suitable for machine quilting and is a good choice for T-shirt quilts.

Wool Batting

Wool batting is warm, fluffy, and relatively easy to work with. It resists folding and creasing and has great stitch definition. However, it is more expensive and may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Bamboo Batting

Bamboo batting is an up-and-coming option that is long-lasting, breathable, and warm. It is soft, drapes nicely, dries quickly after washing, and resists mold and mildew. However, it is more expensive.

When choosing batting for your T-shirt quilt, consider the desired thickness, warmth, and weight of the quilt, as well as your budget and quilting method. Additionally, pay attention to the quilting distance or how closely the batting needs to be quilted to prevent bunching or bearding.

Preparing the quilt sandwich

Step 1: Choose the Batting Material

The first step in preparing the quilt sandwich is to select the appropriate batting material. T-shirts can be heavy, so it is recommended to use a thin 100% cotton batting to keep the weight down. Check the label on the batting to determine how densely you need to machine-quilt your quilt. If you plan to avoid quilting larger areas of the quilt due to logos and designs on the T-shirts, choose a batting type that supports stitches spaced further apart.

Step 2: Prewash the Backing Fabric

Before you begin assembling the quilt sandwich, it is essential to prewash your backing fabric. T-shirts have typically been washed and dried multiple times and will not shrink further. However, washing the backing fabric will prevent your quilt from looking puckered. Remember to purchase slightly more fabric to account for any shrinkage during prewashing.

Step 3: Iron the Seams of the Quilt Top

To avoid extra bulk while quilting, it is important to iron the seams of your quilt top open. This step ensures that your quilt top lies flat and smooth, creating a more even surface for the quilt sandwich.

Step 4: Basting

Once you have your quilt top, batting, and backing fabric ready, it's time to baste them together. Be liberal with your basting pins and/or spray adhesive. Knits stretch easily, so take the time to baste correctly to avoid distortion. This step will help secure the layers of your quilt sandwich in place before you start quilting.

Step 5: Layering the Quilt Sandwich

Now, you are ready to assemble the quilt sandwich. Place your backing fabric right side down, then add the batting, and finally, place your quilt top right side up. Smooth out any wrinkles and ensure that the layers are aligned correctly. If you are using a walking foot for quilting, you can start quilting directly on the sandwich. Otherwise, you may want to baste or pin the layers together more extensively to prevent shifting during quilting.

Remember to refer to the specific instructions and requirements of your chosen batting material, and always follow safety guidelines when using tools like irons and cutting equipment. Happy quilting!

Quilting techniques

The first step in quilting is to prepare the t-shirts. This involves cutting them up both sides, along the shoulder seams, just below the neckband, and above the hem. It is important to leave enough room around the image for open space and seam allowances. Using a rotary cutter can make this process easier.

The next step is to decide on a design and get the shirts ready to quilt. This is the most challenging part of the process as it involves a lot of measuring, adding, subtracting, dividing, and critical thinking about the design and construction. It is important to be patient and flexible with the design, as it may require some adjustments along the way.

Once the design is finalized, the next step is to cut the t-shirts into blocks of the desired size. It is recommended to use transparent plastic templates to keep the design centered during cutting.

After the t-shirts are cut into blocks, it is time to stabilize them with interfacing. This helps to prevent the stretchy fabric from distorting and becoming wonky during sewing. A lightweight, iron-on interfacing such as Pellon 911FF featherweight or Therm-o-Web Heat’n Bond can be used for this step.

To attach the interfacing, lay the t-shirt block on an ironing surface, right side down. Cut the interfacing slightly smaller than the t-shirt block to avoid accidentally melting glue onto the iron. Cover the t-shirt with a damp press cloth to avoid melting the inks or any rubberized parts of the design. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for temperature and steam settings, then press the interfacing to the t-shirt using firm pressure and holding the iron steady for 10-15 seconds in each spot.

Once the interfacing is attached, the t-shirt blocks can be sewn together to create vertical strips. Pin the blocks together with right sides facing and sew them with a straight stitch, keeping a consistent seam allowance. Press the seams open before attaching the next block.

After all the vertical strips are completed, they can be sewn together to create the quilt top. Again, pinning the strips together with right sides facing and sewing them with a straight stitch will create the desired effect. Press all seams open as you work.

The final steps involve attaching the batting and backing to the quilt top. A thin 100% cotton batting is recommended to keep the weight down, especially if using t-shirts with heavy designs. Place the batting on a work surface, then lay the quilt top on top, using safety pins to secure the layers. Next, place the backing fabric, right side down, on top of the quilt top and pin along the outer seam edge.

These layers can now be sewn together, leaving an opening on one side to turn the quilt right side out. Once turned, press the edges flat, close the opening, and remove the safety pins. Replace the pins through all layers of the quilt to keep them from shifting during the final step of quilting or tying the layers together.

Stabilising T-shirts

T-shirts are made from soft, stretchy knit fabric, which is great for wearing, but not so great for quilting. The stretchiness of the fabric means that, if you try to sew with it, the fabric will distort and become wonky. To avoid this, you need to stabilise your T-shirts before you use them in a quilt. You can do this by applying a fusible backing to the T-shirt fabric. This will help the shirt hold its shape while you cut and sew it. The softer and more worn a T-shirt is, the more it will need stabilising.

To stabilise your T-shirts, you will need:

• Lightweight, iron-on interfacing, such as Pellon 911FF featherweight or Therm-o-Web Heat’n Bond. Woven or non-woven interfacing will work.
• A press cloth you can dampen for pressing the fusible interfacing to the T-shirts.
• An ironing board or ironing surface.

• Use a rotary cutter to cut the T-shirt up both sides, along the shoulder seams, just below the neckband, and above the hem. Leave plenty of room around the image for open space and seam allowances. If you plan to cut a lot of T-shirts into the same shape, you may want to make a cardboard template that is the size and shape you want. That will speed up the cutting.
• Cut a square of stabiliser just a touch smaller than the cut T-shirt. Cutting the interfacing a bit smaller will help you avoid accidentally melting glue onto your iron.
• Lay the image part of the T-shirt on your ironing surface, right side down.
• Lay the stabiliser square with its glue side (the rougher side) against the reverse side of the T-shirt image.
• Cover the whole thing with a damp press cloth to avoid melting the inks or any rubberised parts of the T-shirt image.
• Read the interfacing manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you have the right temperature and steam settings before you put the hot iron on the interfacing.
• Press the interfacing to the T-shirt. Use firm pressure and hold the iron steady for 10-15 seconds in each spot to make sure the interfacing and T-shirt are thoroughly fused together. Overlap the pressing areas to make sure you cover all parts of the image.

The image on some T-shirts is very close to the neckband, which might not leave you enough room to make a quilt block as large as you want. If this happens, consider cutting fabric from the bottom of the T-shirt, stabilising it as above, and sewing the extra fabric to the area where you’re short. Sew the pieces with right sides together and use a 1/4″ quilter’s seam.

You can add extra fabric to the top of the image area, to the sides, or all around. When the quilt is complete, no one will ever notice!

Finishing the quilt

Now that you have cut your t-shirts to size, stabilized them, and sewed them together, it's time to finish your quilt!

Attaching the Batting and Backing

Place your clean blanket or batting on your work surface. Then, lay your quilt top on the blanket, face up, and use safety pins to keep the top from moving. If you want the batting to extend beyond the edge of the quilt top, leave enough room for this. If you want a smaller border, fit the batting closer to the quilt top edge. Once your quilt top is secure, place your backing material face down on top of the pinned quilt top. Pin along the outer seam edge, adjusting to your desired technique of finishing the edge.

Sewing the Layers Together

These layers are now ready to sew together. This can be a bulky process, so remember to use the rolling technique when feeding the fabric through your machine. Sew three edges completely, leaving the fourth edge with enough space to turn the quilt right side out. When the quilt is turned right side out, press the edges flat and close the open portion on the fourth edge by hand or machine. Once the final seam is closed, lie the quilt out flat and shape the edges and corners into their final placement.

Finishing the Edges

Now, carefully remove the safety pins from the top and batting and replace each pin through the backing material, now including all the layers of the quilt. This will keep your layers from shifting while you finish the edges. You can finish the edges with blanket binding or top-stitch.

Tying the Quilt

You can finish your quilt by stitching the top in any design, or by tying the top to the backing. Using a darning needle and embroidery floss, yarn, or any other strong thread, sew a tight stitch from the top, catching enough of the backing material to be secure. Place these tied knots in any pattern across the top of the quilt. When the knots are made, cut away the excess thread.

Frequently asked questions