T-Shirt Quilt
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15960)
United States
August 8, 2016 1:00am CST
I found out today that I might be able to make a quilt out of all the souvenir T-shirts that I have collected from different places around the world.
Many of you have read that while I was working for a Jewelry company, I earned over 30 all-expense-paid trips to several different countries, islands of the Caribbean, and different places in the USA.
What I would do on each trip, was to purchase a T-shirt. I have all of them, brand new, never been worn, in a large plastic tub, which I had in the attic, but I got it down a few weeks ago, just to see what I had.
At first, I thought that I would just give the t-shirts to my kids and grandkids and let them wear them. They weren’t doing anyone any good in the attic.
However I saw this ad in “The Family Circle” magazine which said: “We do all the work for you and return your completed t-shirt quilt in as few as two weeks.”
The ad said that this particular company, called “Campus Quilt” was featured on the “Rachel Ray Show” and “The Today Show.” They listed a phone #, so I am going to call and see what kind of PRICE is involved. Probably more than I would like to pay.
I may just try to make the quilt myself. I do have some sewing skills, but I’m not exactly sure how to go about it. Any suggestions.
Are there any “quilt makers” out there in myLot land?
Picture by Pixabay
8 people like this
8 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
14 Aug 16
t-shirt quilts 're a great idea. i did some fer the young'uns 's they grew (diff'rent sports interests 'n such). the 'trick' to makin' quilts outta t-shirts ('r any flimsy, crawly material that's a bugger to cut/sew straight) 'd be to use iron fusible interfacin' 'hind each piece. 'n a template that'll allow ya to make certain that'cha got what'cha want centered (they've the seam allowances, all's clear so ya can see't plainly). then, y'ave got the choice 'f sashin' each 'block' 'r whate'er yer heart desires.
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
14 Aug 16
@IreneVincent yer welcome :) i hope ya find what'cher lookin' fer, hon. heck, they've e'en the iron fusible interfacin' 't wallyworld. ya might check the pricin' to see what'cher best deal'd be. there's prolly some youtube videos fer such?
i wish i did, too. 'd be a blast learnin' 'bout all those t's 'n then helpin' ya create yer own piece 'f memories 'n art. if'n yer worried 'bout makin' errors, gather'p some ugly 'n worn t-shirts to practice with. ya can do such without backin' 'n battin' without sacrificin' much funds :D all else fails - critter bed!
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
14 Aug 16
@crazyhorseladycx Now that's an idea ! To try it with worn T-shirts first. I could do that.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
14 Aug 16
Thank you so much for those tips. I've heard of using the iron fusible interfacing. I'll have to look into that. We have a great fabric store near here. I'll see if I can find that and more instructions on exactly how to use it. I wish I lived near you and then you could show me how to do it, but I am going to try it.
1 person likes this
@JadePlatypus (234)
• Australia
8 Aug 16
I'm thinking that if all the fabrics were of the same material,(eg 100% cotton) and stretched the same way, then yes, it would be easy. But, if some are polyester, some have nylon and some are all-cotton then you might need a bit of expertise to get them all to fit squarely onto a quilt backing. It may well be worth the money to get it professionally done, because it could become an heirloom.
3 people like this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
8 Aug 16
I thought about that too. I didn't buy any really cheap t-shirts. They are all good quality fabric, but I doubt if they are all the same. I think most are Polyester/Cotton.
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
8 Aug 16
@IreneVincent that sounds like a wonderful idea. Hopefully they aren't crazy high with their price. It would make a wonderful keepsake for you.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
8 Aug 16
That's what I'm hoping and then the other thing is sending my T-shirts all to someone I don't know. That's kind of scary too. I would really rather do it myself if I can get some instructions. There is a quilting shop not far from where I live and I think I might just stop in there and see what they could offer.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
8 Aug 16
@IreneVincent that might be the best idea. Sending your t-shirts to someone you don't know is rather scary.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
14 Aug 16
Yes, I just learned about that backing idea from @crazyhorseladycx That sounds like EXACTLY what I need to do.
Thanks.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
8 Aug 16
It may be beyond me too, but it's a great idea if I can get it accomplished somehow.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (21504)
• London, England
8 Aug 16
@IreneVincent The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Most of T-shirts have been worn to destruction, so no quilt for me
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
8 Aug 16
@Ronrybs I hope I can get it done. I think it's a great idea. I have old t-shirts too, but these are all brand new. Still have the tags on them.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
8 Aug 16
Yes, I thought that I would check on the internet. Good idea. I'm fairly sure someone out there has some good tips on making quilts.
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
8 Aug 16
Yes, I am going to check on the internet. I'm sure I'll be able to find something about quilting.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
8 Aug 16
that sounds like a wonderful idea for your Tshirts. I'm sure there are some quilters here to offer advice
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
8 Aug 16
Yes, I hope I do get some quilting advice from other mylotters.
