Choosing The Right Interfacing Weight For A T-Shirt Quilt

T-shirt quilts are a great way to preserve memories and upcycle old t-shirts. When making a t-shirt quilt, it is important to use interfacing to give support and structure to the stretchy t-shirt fabric. The type of interfacing you use will depend on the weight and material of the t-shirts you are using. For example, if you are using cotton t-shirts, a lightweight fusible interfacing such as Pellon 911FF featherweight or Therm-o-Web Heat’n Bond is a good option. On the other hand, if you are using polyester athletic shirts, you will need to use a lower heat setting when fusing the interfacing to avoid melting the fabric. In this case, a lightweight or sheerweight fusible interfacing such as Pellon 906F Sheerweight is a better choice. It is also important to use a pressing sheet when fusing the interfacing to protect your iron and ironing board from the adhesive.

Interfacing weight depends on the t-shirt fabric

Interfacing is a material used to give support and structure to the T-shirt fabric. It is essential when quilting with T-shirts because their stretchy fabric can get distorted and wonky if sewn without preparation. The softer and more worn a T-shirt is, the more it needs to be stabilised before quilting.

The type of interfacing you use depends on the T-shirt fabric. If your T-shirts are made from cotton, you should use a natural, lightweight woven cotton stabiliser such as EZ-TEE or Stabili-TEE. If your T-shirts are made from polyester, you should use a lightweight fusible interfacing such as Pellon 906F Sheerweight.

You should also consider the weight of the interfacing. If your T-shirts are heavy, you may want to avoid adding extra weight with a heavy interfacing.

Lightweight interfacing is ideal for t-shirt quilts

T-shirts are made from soft, stretchy fabric, which is great for wearing, but not so great for quilting. Interfacing is a piece of material used to give support and structure to the T-shirt material. It is adhered or stitched to the T-shirt and prevents it from stretching out of shape while you cut and sew it.

There are different types of interfacing available, including woven and non-woven. Woven interfacing has two layers: the top layer has woven threads that run vertically and horizontally, and the bottom layer is a thin sheet of glue that lets you iron the interfacing to another fabric. Non-woven interfacing is a single sheet that looks and feels more like felt. It also has two layers: the top layer of polyester fibres that have been matted or bonded together, and a bottom layer of glue that lets you fuse the interfacing to another fabric.

Interfacing comes in a variety of weights, but for T-shirt quilting, a lightweight fusible interfacing is ideal. This will provide some stability to the T-shirt fabric without adding too much stiffness or bulk. It will also be flexible enough to move through your sewing machine smoothly.

Some recommended lightweight interfacing options for T-shirt quilts include Pellon Shape-Flex® (woven) and Therm-o-Web Heat’n Bond (non-woven). Other brands to look for include EZ-TEE, Stabili-TEE, June Tailor, and Pellon Sheer Fusible Interfacing.

When applying interfacing to a T-shirt, it is recommended to cut the interfacing slightly larger than the T-shirt to ensure full coverage. The bumpy side of the interfacing is the fusible side that adheres to the fabric. Place the T-shirt design side down, and then put the interfacing bumpy side down on top. Press with your iron until the interfacing has fused to the back of the T-shirt, following the manufacturer's instructions for temperature and timing.

Using lightweight interfacing for T-shirt quilts will help create a soft and cosy quilt without adding too much weight or stiffness. It will also ensure that the T-shirts maintain their shape during the quilting process, resulting in a well-constructed and durable quilt.

Use woven or non-woven interfacing

Woven and non-woven interfacing are two different types of materials used to give support and structure to T-shirts. Woven interfacing is more like regular quilting fabric, with two layers: a top layer of woven threads running vertically and horizontally, and a bottom layer of thin glue. This type of interfacing has a sheer look with a nice drape and is most similar to the fabric it fuses to, only thinner. Non-woven interfacing, on the other hand, is more like felt and has a stiffer feel with an opaque, shiny look. It consists of a top layer of matted or bonded polyester fibres and a bottom layer of glue. When ironed onto a T-shirt, non-woven interfacing will give a crisper look that will easily crease.

There are pros and cons to both types of interfacing. Woven interfacing is more similar to the fabric of the T-shirt, making it a good choice for those who want to maintain the softness and flexibility of the fabric. It can be ironed directly, as it is a natural fibre. However, it may shrink with too much heat, so it is important to use a press cloth to protect it. Non-woven interfacing, on the other hand, is less likely to shrink and can be useful if a stiffer feel is desired. However, it cannot be ironed directly as it will melt. Instead, a Teflon ironing sheet or pressing cloth must be used. Ultimately, the choice between woven and non-woven interfacing depends on the desired outcome and the instructions of the pattern.

Interfacing should be 100% cotton

Interfacing is a piece of material used to give support and structure to the T-shirt fabric that is adhered or stitched to. The rule of thumb is that the interfacing should be 100% cotton, just like the fabric it is adhering to. You want a natural, lightweight woven cotton stabilizer such as EZ-TEE or Stabili-TEE. It should also be fusible on one side.

A woven stabilizer is most similar to the fabric it fuses to, only thinner. You will be able to see the threads in the fabric of the woven stabilizer running horizontally and vertically. It will have a sheer look with a nice drape.

A nonwoven, synthetic fusible stabilizer will have a stiffer feel with an opaque, shiny look. When ironed onto a T-shirt, it will give a crisper look that will easily crease. It will also have a sheen to it.

There are times when a nonwoven stabilizer is needed. It just depends on what the pattern designer had in mind, so pay attention to what the pattern calls for.

An additional tip to keep in mind: You can iron directly on woven stabilizer as it is a natural fiber. You cannot iron directly on a non-woven synthetic stabilizer, or it will melt.

If you are using a non-woven stabilizer try using a teflon ironing sheet or a 'pressing cloth' (any old piece of fabric that you don’t need) in between your iron and your project.

For both stabilizers, the bumpy side is the fusible side that adheres to the fabric.

The process is to turn your T-shirt design side down and put the stabilizer bumpy side down on top, then press with your iron until the stabilizer has fused to the back of the T-shirt.

The packaging for your fusible interfacing will tell you how long to leave your iron in place and how to move it around the T-shirt for best results.

Fusible interfacing is a popular choice

Fusible interfacing typically comes with one side coated in heat-activated glue, which fuses the two fabrics together when ironed. This type of interfacing is available in various weights, from lightweight to medium and heavy, each adding a different level of rigidity to the fabric. When choosing a fusible interfacing for a t-shirt quilt, it is essential to select a lightweight or sheerweight option as t-shirts are already heavy, and additional weight is unnecessary. Examples of suitable lightweight fusible interfacings include Pellon 906F Sheerweight, Pellon 911FF Fusible Featherweight, and Stabili-TEE.

When applying fusible interfacing to a t-shirt, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results. The general process involves placing the interfacing, bumpy or glue side down, on the reverse side of the t-shirt, then pressing it with an iron until the two layers are thoroughly fused. Using a press cloth, preferably damp, between the iron and the fabric is essential to avoid melting the glue onto the iron and protecting any designs on the t-shirt.

While fusible interfacing is a popular choice for t-shirt quilts, it is not the only option. Some quilters choose to sew the interfacing to the t-shirt instead of fusing, and others forgo interfacing altogether, stabilising the t-shirts by sewing them to other t-shirts or stabilised t-shirts.

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