Crafting A Cozy Tee: Fleece-Lined, Quilted Comfort

T-shirt quilts are a great way to repurpose old T-shirts that hold sentimental value. The process is fairly simple and typically takes only a few hours. The most time-consuming part is usually arranging the T-shirt panels in an attractive design. There are no special patterns for T-shirt quilts; they can be as basic or intricate as desired. After learning how to make a T-shirt quilt, you can create personalised gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

Selecting and organising T-shirts

Firstly, decide on the T-shirts you want to use. Choose those that hold cherished memories and happy moments. It is best to avoid T-shirts with holes or rips. Wash the selected T-shirts to ensure they are clean before starting the quilt.

Next, examine the T-shirts and consider the following questions: How many T-shirts do you have, and what sizes are they? Will you cut the quilt panels uniformly, or will you vary the sizes to create a jigsaw puzzle-like layout? How large do you want the finished quilt to be, and do you have enough T-shirts to achieve that size?

After deciding on the design and layout, it's time to cut the T-shirts. Use sharp scissors to cut along the side seams, removing the front panel of the T-shirt while trying to preserve as much fabric as possible. Cut off the sleeves, connecting seams, and any hemmed areas. You should be left with a rectangular panel. Repeat this process for all the T-shirts you plan to use.

Now, lay out the T-shirt panels on a flat surface. Play around with the arrangement until you find a design that appeals to you. If there are gaps in the layout, you can cut pieces of coordinating fabric to fill them in, remembering to leave enough fabric for a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Finally, trim the T-shirt panels according to your chosen design. Leave a bit extra fabric for the seam allowance, and remember that you will also need to account for the fusible interfacing that will be applied later.

By carefully selecting and organising your T-shirts, you are well on your way to creating a unique and meaningful T-shirt quilt.

Cutting the T-shirts

The first step in making a T-shirt quilt is to cut apart the T-shirts. Start by washing and drying the T-shirts and ironing them if necessary to remove any wrinkles. Then, use a pair of sharp scissors to cut the front panel of the T-shirt, cutting near the side seams to leave as much fabric as possible. Cut off the sleeves and connecting seams, and cut below the neckband. Remove any hemmed areas along the bottom of the shirt. You should be left with a somewhat rectangular panel. Repeat this process for all the T-shirts you plan to use, including the backs if desired.

Before cutting the T-shirt panels to size, it is recommended to fuse interfacing to the back of the panels to prevent the knit fabric from stretching. Cut the interfacing into squares or rectangles that are slightly larger than your desired panel size. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to fuse the interfacing to the back of each panel, ensuring that the interfacing is securely bonded. Be careful not to touch the hot iron to any printing on the T-shirt, as the ink may smear.

Once the interfacing is fused, it's time to trim the T-shirt panels to your desired size. If you plan to sew the panels together, be sure to leave enough fabric around the edges for a seam allowance (usually about 1/2 inch). You can use a rotary cutting tool to make these cuts quickly and easily.

Now, you can begin to cut the T-shirt panels into squares or rectangles of your chosen size. It is important to centre the design and lettering on each panel, so take your time and measure twice before cutting. You can use scissors or a rotary cutter for this step.

After all the panels are cut, lay them out on a flat surface and arrange them until you find a design that you like. If desired, you can cut pieces of coordinating fabric to fill in any gaps in the arrangement, leaving enough fabric for the seam allowance.

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to use a fusible knit interfacing, such as Pellon Easy Knit, to stabilise the T-shirt fabric and make it easier to sew.
• If using a printed design on the front of the T-shirt, cut the panel as close to the seams as possible to maximise the fabric available.
• Map out your desired layout before cutting the panels to size, as this will help you visualise the final quilt and ensure that the panels are the correct size and shape.
• When fusing interfacing, be careful to avoid wrinkles, as they will not come out once the interfacing is cool.
• If using a rotary cutting tool, always use a cutting mat underneath to protect your work surface.
• If you are new to quilting, consider making a small practice quilt with T-shirt scraps before cutting into your desired fabric.

Preparing the fleece backing

The first step in preparing the fleece backing for your T-shirt quilt is to choose the right type of fleece. Polar fleece yardage or anti-pill fleece are good options, and you will need enough to cover the entire back of your quilt. The fleece should be 3 inches or more wider and longer than the finished dimensions of the front of your quilt, which is typically made up of T-shirt panels.

Once you have your fleece, lay it right side down on a large table or the floor. Center the wrong side of the patchwork front against the fleece, smoothing and pinning it to hold it in place. Use thread that matches the colour of your fleece and machine stitch down the vertical and horizontal patchwork seams.

To finish the edges, trim the excess fleece about 1 1/4 inches beyond the edge of the T-shirt edges. To create a neat miter at each corner, carefully fold down the excess fleece and secure it with a drop of glue or sewing pins about 1/4 inches from the cut edge. Continue this process for all corners and edges, using a ruler and rotary cutter to ensure straight edges.

Finally, sew the fleece binding to the quilt by machine stitching about 1/2 inch from the folded edge. Trim any excess fleece close to the stitching line and finish by zig-zag stitching over the raw edge to neatly cover the straight stitching.

Sewing the quilt

Next, cut the batting and backing fabric to the size of your quilt top. If you're using fleece as your backing, you can skip the batting as the t-shirts will already make the quilt quite heavy. If you're not using fleece, you can use cotton, flannel, or fleece sheets for a warmer blanket. Layer the batting between the top and backing, and pin the three layers together. Sew together the layers, using a stitch design of your choice. Finally, sew quilt binding (strips of fabric to cover the raw edges) around the perimeter of the quilt with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

If you're using fleece as your backing, you can bring the extra fleece to the front to cover the raw edges of the t-shirts, rather than applying a separate binding fabric. Use a ruler and rotary cutter to trim the excess fleece 1 1/4 inches beyond the edge of the t-shirt edges. To finish the edges, fold the excess fleece to the front of the quilt. Begin by folding one corner down and securing with a drop of glue 1/4 inch from the cut edge. Fold down the excess fleece along one edge and glue, taking care to keep the glue about 1/4 inch from the edge. Use a few pins to hold the fleece in place until the glue dries. Fold down the excess fleece along the adjoining edge and glue. Continue to glue the remaining corners and edges.

A neat miter will be formed at each corner. Use a few pins to keep the folds in place. Sew the fleece binding to the quilt by machine-stitching 1/2 inch from the folded edge. With small sharp scissors, trim the excess fleece close to the stitching line. Zig-zag stitch over the trimmed edge to neatly cover the straight stitching and finish the cut edge of the fleece.

Binding and trimming the edges

Step 1: Sew a Seam Around the Quilt Edge

Begin by sewing a seam all the way around the perimeter of the quilt, approximately 1/4 inch from the edge of the quilt front. This step helps to secure the layers of your quilt together and prevents them from shifting or bunching.

Step 2: Trim the Excess Fabric and Batting

After sewing the seam, it is time to trim the excess fabric and batting that extend beyond the quilt top. Use sharp scissors to carefully cut away the backing fabric and batting, getting as close as possible to the seam you just sewed. Be careful not to cut through the stitching or the quilt top itself.

Step 3: Prepare and Attach the Binding

There are different methods for creating the binding for your quilt. One common approach is to use bias tape, which can be purchased pre-made or made from fabric. Another method is to use the fleece backing fabric itself as the binding, as described in the previous section. Fold the excess fleece over the raw edges of the T-shirts and secure it in place with glue or stitching.

Step 4: Finish the Binding

Once the binding is in place, you may need to trim any excess fabric or fleece close to the stitching line. You can also add a zig-zag stitch or another decorative stitch over the raw edge of the binding to create a neat finish and ensure that the binding is securely attached.

Tips for Binding and Trimming:

• It is important to take your time and work carefully during the binding and trimming process to ensure a neat and secure finish.
• Sharp scissors and a rotary cutter will make it easier to achieve precise cuts through the layers of fabric.
• Consider using a walking foot on your sewing machine if you have one, as it can help feed the layers of fabric through the machine more easily and prevent shifting.
• If you are using bias tape for binding, there are many online tutorials and resources available to guide you through the process.

Frequently asked questions