1. Home
  2. Quilting Forum
  3. Tee Shirt Quilt (by hand?)

Tee Shirt Quilt (by hand?)

So, I've got a suitcase with Son's old tee-shirts and would like to make a quilt for the Kidlet. I am an experienced hand stitcher -- However, I'd like to cut out the t's and be "ready" for the next project.

Theory is as follows (and please, if this won't work, let me know) Layer muslin face down (or perhaps a tone-on-tone) Next, batting Next tee shirt blocks (face up)

THEN, using cotton fabric, (folded under the edges) catch the tee shirts and hold it all together.

Okay, so pretend the block here:

formatting link
is the front of a tee-shirt. I can pin the stuffing out of it (have scads of safety pins) and intend to use Warm and Natural so I won't have to quilt quite so close as I am for the current project.

Can I just strip piece the border part, through all layers and have it work?

HOWEVER, I have also been told that tee-shirt quilts need interfacing. I've never used the stuff, and am a bit concerned by the thought of stitching through it. And I'm clueless -- I do intend (if I can get away without the interfacing stuff) to stitch around the designs on the tee-shirts so it won't be a big naked block if that makes sense. Must I use interfacing?

Have I mentioned no sewing machine? Everything I do is by hand, so though sewing through the stuff might be easy with a machine, how about with a regular needle? I have a hard enough time getting through layers of batting/seams sometimes (have the holes in my fingers to prove that!)

Any advice? I probably won't be cutting the tee-shirts for a while -- just trying to get a grasp of what I need now so I can be ready. And thank you!

Reply to
janice142
Loading thread data ...

T-shirts are so stretchy that it is always advisable to use some kind of stabilizer. One of the very fine non-woven interfacings would work well, and you would be able to hand sew through. It would need to be the fusible sort though. With all that hand-sewing, you will be doing a lot of work on this quilt, and it would be such a pity for the 'feature element' to be less than satisfactory. . In message , janice142 writes

Reply to
Patti

Ladies -- thank you so much for helping me understand the "why" as well as the "how come?" parts... Specifically, this comment: "it would be such a pity for the 'feature element' to be less than satisfactory." was so helpful in getting me thinking straight.

Of course you're absolutely correct -- I want this one to come out well. It's amazing how much can be accomplished by hand though -- it really is. Even in 5 minutes I can stitch quite a bit.

So, next question: The interfacing: So, after I've cut out the backs of the tee shirts. Just layer the interfacing and press? Won't it stick to my iron? Should I try to have the interfacing between the front and back of the tee-shirt to have a double layer of tee-shirt? Can I use the interfacing like stick-um for the batting layer?

And thank you ever so much... I'm going to do the cutting (rough cuts/ just to get rid of the sleeves and square things up a bit) as soon as I find my Fiskars which of course "Nobody" touched. Remember "Not Me" from the Family Circus cartoon? The twin of Not Me lives here with us.

Reply to
janice142

You want interfacing, not fusible web. Interfacing is like a piece of fabric with fusible stuff on one side; buy the lightest weight stuff you can find. Make sure you get the fusible side next to the t-shirt and you won't get sticky stuff on your iron.

I saw something about making t-shirt quilts on TV once. They recommended cutting your t-shirts and interfacing an inch or so larger than you want them, fusing the interfacing and then cutting to the final size. The t-shirts will be easier to cut precisely after they have been fused. Also, all non-woven interfacings have a bit of stretch in one direction; try to position the interfacing on the t-shirt so that the stretch of the t-shirt and the stretch of the interfacing go in opposite directions.

Julia > Ladies -- thank you so much for helping me understand the "why" as

Reply to
Julia in MN

Janice, all fusible interfacings are not created equal. I would suggest that you buy the smallest amount possible and do a test. You'll want to know if it is going to give you the results you want, both as to making the t-shirt stable and as to whether handstitching it is pleasant or a real pain. Only guessing but I suspect that some interfacings would be too stiff and some would be gummy. Polly

"Julia in MN" wrote> You want interfacing, not fusible web. Interfacing is like a piece of

Reply to
Polly Esther

Janice, I personally, prefer HTC interfacing because it has a more even layer of adhesive than some others. (Some have little dots of adhesive and those dots can bleed through the fabric and collect dirt.) As has been said, you want the very lightest weight, non woven fusible interfacing (not fusible web) you can find. Cut your shirts apart, but not to size until you have fused on the interfacing. T-shirt knit tends to roll when it is cut, so be prepared for that too. It is much easier to deal with when stabilized. Most of all, do one at a time and remember to have fun while you are doing it. BTW, I agree with how much you can get done when sewing by hand. It is amazing how much you can accomplish in those little bits of time.

Keep > Ladies -- thank you so much for helping me understand the "why" as

Reply to
Pati Cook

Thank you ladies... it's the next project (am trying to "finish" a few things)

I don't think most realize how much can be accomplished with just a needle and thread -- sure, it would be nice if the sewing machine worked but it's not a priority at this point. Maybe later, but for now...... And having portable projects is helpful... you meet the nicest folks who want to see "what are you making?"

That's the sort of thing that probably doesn't happen when folks only stitch at home in their sewing rooms.

J, who confesses to wishing on ocassion one of those curious folks would say something about having umpteen years of Quilting magazines, and do I want 'em? (laughs) And no, I do not need "More" -- have plenty

After a time too, do you get the feeling that "I've seen that before"

-- saw a Patchwork Place book the other day at the onocology office, and though beautiful (it was!) I've got the patterns for all I saw in her book. (shrugs)

Reply to
janice142

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.