Good idea. Be sure you quilt enough so that the shirt doesn't have a chance to stretch. It might help to iron freezer paper on the back of the shirt to keep it from stretching, or you can use fusible webbing which is the easy way out of so many craft problems. There is also tear-away or wash out stabilizer out there that is widely used in machine embroidering. Lots of ways to go; all of 'em will work.
posted by JFKRJK
about 1 month ago
I have done this. You have to cut the fronts all the same size squares or same size rectangle. Then cut strips of fabric to act as a border. Cut them a little longer than the sides of your tee blocks. I would probably cut them about 2-1/2" wide, but you can make them wider if you prefer.
Lay out your tee blocks and arrange them for the best visual appeal. Then pin a note on each row Row 1, Row 2, etc. I stack them from left to right in order to sew them.
Sew a border strip BETWEEN each block, but not on the outside ends. Cut off any extra border fabric sticking out beyond the blocks.
After you get your across rows all sewn together with their strips that connect them to make a row, lay out a row and measure the length from left end of the left block across to the right end of the right hand block.
Now cut enough long strips to that measurement, plus a bit extra to go between each of your rows.
Sew one long strip along the whole BOTTOM of your first row.
Now line up Row 2, on the bottom of this border strip, making sure the blocks line up with each other. Do a lot of pinning to keep them anchored in place, and sew the second row onto the border strip.
Now sew another border strip onto the bottom of your Row @ blocks. Then sew Row 4 onto the bottom of the strip using the same procedure for the previous rows.
When you have all your rows sewn together with their strips, you now have one big block. Time to put the outside border strips on.
Measure all the way down both sides of the big block you have made. You measure both sides in case they are not quite equal. Then cut two side border strips the length of the longer measurement, plus a little extra.
Sew the side border strips on each long side of your big block. Cut off the extra hanging beyond the block.
Now measure across the top and bottom, INCLUDING the two side strips. Cut two more border strips this length. Sew across the top and bottom, making a 'frame' for your big block.
Now you might want a bigger quilt, so you can add more borders any width you like. Maybe a 4" or 5" or 6". Use the same measuring technique.
Now you have a big quilt top all finished. You need the backing and the batting. You can use any fabric you like for the backing. If what you buy is not wide enough, you will have to sew it together lengthwise to make sure you have a backing that is wide enough to cover the entire back of your quilt.
Lay the backing fabric on the floor and then lay the quilt top on it, and cut the backing fabric 2" wider all around.
Batting: buy whatever the fabric store has. It usually comes in a package and opens up to some big full quilt size.
Lay that opened batting on the floor, then lay the cut backing fabric on it, WRONG side down on top of the batting. Cut the batting the same as the backing fabric. Then flip it over this double piece thing over, and place your quilt top on it, WRONG side of quilt top on top of batting. From top to bottom it will be: Quilt top RIGHT side up on top of batting which is on top of WRONG side of backing fabric. Pin it all over with a kazillion pins to hold everything taut. You now have a quilt sandwich.
Will you be hand quilting or machine quilting? Because you have to sew this three-part sandwich together.
I did not use any stabilizer on my tee shirts. Just don't be yanking and pulling at them to get them out of shape and size.
Thought I would machine the pieces together and hand quilt the whole thing together. Have made many quilts before but this will be a first.
OH, sorry for the long explanation. LOL Did know you already were a quilter.
Just sewing the pieces together is OK, but it never looks all that great. I've done it both ways. It really looks better with the strips between, plus gives it more stability from getting stretched all out of shape.
Also, hand quilting through tee shirt material will really have a different feel that what you are used to. I am a handquilter.
Give us photos of your progress as you go. I would love to see them.
Duh. Should be 'DIDN'T know you were already a quilter.' Can't type worth squat this morning.