Creating A T-Shirt Quilt: A Beginner's Guide

T-shirt quilts are a great way to repurpose old T-shirts that hold sentimental value. The process involves cutting up T-shirts and sewing the pieces together to form a quilt. The level of difficulty depends on the design and materials used. For example, sewing stretchy T-shirt fabric to non-stretchy cotton can be challenging. To solve this problem, quilters often use iron-on interfacing to stiffen the T-shirt fabric before cutting and sewing.

The first step in making a T-shirt quilt is to select and organise the T-shirts to be used. It is important to consider the colour and design of each T-shirt to ensure a balanced composition. Once the T-shirts have been chosen, they need to be measured and cut to the desired size and shape. This can be done using a rotary cutter, quilting square, and quilting mat.

After the T-shirt pieces have been cut, they need to be assembled into rows and columns. This involves pinning and sewing the pieces together, taking care to line up the corners and edges accurately. Once all the pieces are sewn together, a backing fabric and batting are added to create a quilt sandwich. The final steps include quilting, binding, and trimming the edges to create a finished T-shirt quilt.

Choosing a layout

Once you know how many T-shirts you're working with, you can start planning the layout. A good rule of thumb is to aim for an evenly distributed colour pattern, avoiding placing two similar designs side by side. If you're using T-shirts with sentimental value, you might want to arrange them on the floor first to ensure that the colours and designs complement each other. Take a picture for reference, then measure and record the dimensions of each shirt so you can plan the precise layout.

When it comes to the design of your quilt, there are a few options to consider. Traditional T-shirt quilts typically feature uniform blocks and use sashing—fabric strips—between the rows and columns to separate the stretchy T-shirt fabric. However, modern T-shirt quilts often feature blocks of different sizes to accommodate varying T-shirt designs and create a more interesting, dynamic composition. This approach also ensures that small designs aren't lost in too much blank fabric and that large designs aren't cut off.

Another aspect to consider is whether to use iron-on backing or interfacing. Traditional quilts typically use iron-on backing to stiffen the stretchy T-shirt fabric and make it compatible with cotton sashing. However, if you're creating a modern quilt without sashing and using only T-shirt fabric, you may not need to stiffen the fabric.

Finally, think about the overall shape of your quilt. Most T-shirt quilts are rectangular, but you can also experiment with different shapes, such as diamonds or other geometric designs, to create a unique layout.

Cutting the shirts

Now that you have your measurements, it's time to start cutting!

If you are using both sides of the shirt, cut as evenly as you can with scissors up the sides, making sure that you will have enough fabric to cut your desired measurements. If you are only using one side, cut up the back of the shirt. Cut off some of the sleeve, but not all of it, as you may need some of it to keep the width of your cut square. Then, cut along the shoulder seam. If you cut up the back, you can trim the sides a bit so you don't have too much excess.

Lay your t-shirts out to see how you want to organize them. Aim for an evenly distributed colour pattern, ideally without two similar designs side by side.

Use a rotary cutter, quilting square, and quilting mat to cut the shirts into squares or rectangles. Start at the bottom of the shirt, right below the armpit, and cut straight up to the sleeve armpit of one side of the shirt. Then, follow the seam of the shirt all the way around the back of the shoulder seam, neck, and other shoulder. Don't cut the seams out, just use them as a guide.

Lay the t-shirt piece out on your cutting mat and try to get the graphic straight and level with the grid on the mat. Use a quilting ruler and rotary cutter to cut a straight line across the top of the shirt piece, as high as you can above the design, while still getting a straight line across.

Go to the bottom of the t-shirt piece, measuring 15″ parallel from the top cut. If the t-shirt graphic looks centred vertically from the top cut to 15" below, make that bottom cut parallel and 15" away from the top cut. If the graphic is too low, you can go back and take a little more off the top. If the graphic looks too high, there's not much you can do. That's why it's important to get as high as you can above the design when making that top cut.

On the cutting mat, see what number on the grid is in the middle of your shirt's design (it was usually around 12 or 13 for me). Take that centre number and subtract 7.5 from it. Make a straight cut perpendicular to the top/bottom cuts at that number on the mat. Now, add 7.5 to the centre number. Make a straight cut, perpendicular to the top and bottom cuts. Your t-shirt graphic should be centred.

And voila! You have a centred, pretty t-shirt square. Rely on your cutting mat's grid and your rotary cutter to cut the tees. Having straight lines and 90-degree angles makes sewing so much easier.

Now, cut your interfacing. Cut a rectangle of interfacing to match each shirt. Cut a section large enough to match the length and width of each shirt piece you measured, and it’s a good idea to leave extra room around the edges. It’s better to have extra than to be forced to piece interfacing together later.

Interfacing the Shirts

Iron the shirt on its own before applying the interfacing, to ensure that the fabric is as flat as possible. Then, lay the interfacing on top of the t-shirt and apply even pressure with a dry iron to fuse the interfacing to your fabric. Your interfacing may come with more specific instructions for how to apply it correctly. If your interfacing is wider than the shirt fabric, be careful to avoid ironing the parts of the interfacing that hang over, otherwise, you may fuse the interfacing to your ironing board.

Final Cutting of Each Block

Now you can cut your design blocks to the exact measurements. I find it a great help to use transparent plastic templates to keep the design centred during cutting. Cut the width for each block within a strip. Then measure the additional needed material from both the top and bottom of the design and cut the length. Remember this is the final cut, so measure twice and cut once!

Sewing the skinny rows

Now that you've cut your t-shirts into squares, it's time to start sewing them together to create the skinny rows. This part is fun! Begin by pinning your pieces together. Remember that everything in this project will have a 1/4-inch seam allowance unless otherwise noted. Mark this measurement on your machine with masking tape for ease of reference.

Take one 15″ x 3.5″ piece of fabric and pin two of the small squares to its ends, lining up the edges and putting the front sides together. Repeat this process to create the "three-piece" section shown in the original quilt diagram. Once complete, unfold and lay it flat. Then, take another 15" x 3.5" strip and lay it front side down on top of the three-piece, lining up the left edges. Pin and sew the left edge. Do the same with another 15.5" x 3.5" strip for the right edge of the three-piece.

Now, your sewn part should look like the diagram. Make a total of three sections like the five-piece one in the diagram. Unfold and set them aside.

Sewing the t-shirt rows

Prepare the T-shirt Squares:

Before you begin sewing, ensure that you have cut and prepared all the t-shirt squares according to the size and design of your choice. It is recommended to cut the t-shirts along the seams, removing the cuffs and neckbands to create a flat surface. You may also need to trim the squares to your desired size, ensuring that the design is centred.

Layout the Design:

Lay out all the t-shirt squares on a flat surface in the order you want them to appear in each row. This step is crucial to ensure that the colours and designs complement each other and that there are no "funky" combinations. You can also rearrange the squares until you are happy with the overall layout.

Pin and Sew the T-shirt Squares:

Take the first two t-shirt squares of each row and pin them together, with the front sides facing each other. Use a 1/4 inch or 1/2-inch seam allowance, depending on your preference, and sew along the right edge of the squares. Then, unfold and lay the sewn piece flat.

Attach the Remaining Squares:

Take the next t-shirt square in the row and place it on top of the previously sewn piece, with the front sides facing each other and the right edges lined up. Pin and sew along the edge. Repeat this process until all the t-shirt squares in the row are attached.

Repeat for Each Row:

Once you have completed the first row, move on to the next row. Follow the same process of pinning and sewing the t-shirt squares together, working from left to right. Continue this process until you have sewn all the rows according to your desired quilt size.

Press the Seams:

After completing each row, it is essential to press the seams to ensure they lay flat. You can use an iron to open the seams and create a smooth surface for the next steps.

Sew the Rows Together:

Now that you have individual t-shirt rows, it's time to sew them together. Place the second row on top of the first row, with the front side facing down and the bottom edges lined up. Pin the rows together, ensuring that the corners of each t-shirt square are aligned. Sew along the edge, removing the pins as you go.

Continue Sewing the Rows:

Repeat this process, adding each subsequent row to the previous one. Take your time and work slowly to ensure that the seams align and the corners match up. Continue until all the rows are sewn together, creating the complete quilt top.

Add the End Pieces (Optional):

If you wish, you can add end pieces to the sides and top/bottom of the quilt. Simply lay the end piece on top of the quilt, with the front side facing down, and line up the edges. Pin and sew, then repeat for the other sides as desired.

Your t-shirt quilt top is now complete! You can continue with the final steps of quilt-making, including adding batting, backing fabric, and binding to create a beautiful and memorable t-shirt quilt.

Sewing the quilt rows

Firstly, pin together the panels in your desired design. Then, sew the panels—along with any sashing (strips of fabric between the panels) or other patchwork—together by row. Press the seam allowances open. Then, join the rows, matching intersections where the seams meet if necessary for design purposes.

For example, let's take the original diagram of the quilt. Take one 15″ x 3.5″ piece of fabric and pin two of the small squares on the ends, lining up the edges and putting the front sides facing each other. Once the three-piece section is sewn together, unfold and lay flat. Take another 15" x 3.5" strip and lay it, front side down, on top of the three-piece, with left edges lined up. Pin and sew that left edge. Do the same with another 15.5" x 3.5" strip for the right edge of the three-piece.

Now, your sewn part should look like this:

Make three total sections like the 5-piece one in the diagram above. Unfold and set aside.

Now that the "skinny" rows are done, start on the t-shirt rows. Lay all 12 of your t-shirt blocks out on the floor, in the arrangement they will be in the quilt, to make sure your colours are correct and there aren't any odd colour combinations. You should have 4 rows of 3 shirts if you're following a standard pattern.

Take the t-shirt square on the far left of each horizontal row and pin a 15" × 3.5″ strip on the right-hand side of it, with front sides facing each other. Sew down the right edge of this with your ¼″ seam and unfold. We've just completed this part of the quilt:

Next, take the second t-shirt square in the horizontal row and put it, front side down, on top of the section you just constructed, with right edges lined up. Pin, sew, and unfold. Now, you have this:

Next, do the same with a strip. Place the strip on top of the piece you're constructing, with front sides facing each other, and right edges lined up. Pin, sew, and unfold. You now have this:

Finally, take the last t-shirt square from each row and place it, with front sides facing each other, on top of the piece, lining up the right sides. Pin, sew, and unfold.

Let's attach our rows! Lay out the top t-shirt row. Place a skinny row, front side down, on top of the t-shirt row. Line up the bottom edges, pin, and sew. The important thing here is that you line up the corners of each individual piece in the row so that there won't be any funky lines. It's a little tricky, so you might want to sew a little bit of the row at a time, giving it periodic checks to make sure everything is in line.

Once the first two rows are sewn together, unfold. Lay down the second t-shirt row, front side facing down and upside down, on top of the sewn-on skinny row. Align the bottom edges, pin, and sew. Once again, take it slow and make sure the quilt squares are lining up while sewing.

Once you have this piece, take another skinny row, front side down, and line up the bottom edges of the completed piece and the skinny row. Pin, sew, and unfold.

You're probably seeing a trend here. Pin the third t-shirt row to the bottom of what you see above, front side down and upside down, bottom edges lined up, then sew. Do the same for the next skinny row, then finally the last t-shirt row.

Your quilt should now look like this: The two keys to getting this part right are...

A) taking it really slowly and making sure your pieces line up and

B) making sure to place each t-shirt row upside down and front side down when pinning, so when it unfolds it will be right side up.

Frequently asked questions