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t-shirt quilts
 




Construction Process
t-shirt quilts
 
Materials and how our t-shirt quilts are made:

Design: A considerable amount of time is spent on t-shirt arrangement and color selection. Balance in color and design creates a visually appealing quilt. This is our favorite part of quilt-making and it gets very close attention and planning.

T-Shirts: The printed areas of your t-shirts are carefully measured then cut according to the planned design.

Fabrics: We use the finest, 100% cotton or cotton-flannel for the sashing, backing and binding. It is pre-washed and treated to limit shrinking and fading after it becomes a quilt. We offer a wide selection of fabrics that contrast well with your t-shirts, including some batik, novelties, prints, and tone-on-tones in a variety of colors.


Using the best materials is best for your t-shirt quilt.

Stabilizer: A light-weight stabilizer is used to back the t-shirts, to prevent stretching and give worn t-shirts extra life without adding bulk or stiffness.

Batting: The batting is a blend of 80% cotton and 20% polyester for warmth and stability.

Quilting: They are closely machine-quilted, (less than 3" apart), for durability, strength and better over-all design. (click on the picture for a larger view) This adds an attractive texture to the quilt. We do not tie our quilts. Tied t-shirt quilts have a tendency to sag and come loose when washed, and the tied threads interfere with the graphic designs on the t-shirts.
close up of the machine quilting example from a Thread Dancer t-shirt quilt
Binding: The binding is double folded, machine stitched to the front of the quilt and invisibly hand stitched to the back for an heirloom look. (click on the picture for a larger view)
Close up of a t-shirt quilt binding example

Helpful Quilt Terminology

Backing: The fabric that is used on the back side of the quilt.   
Block: Refers to a single t-shirt that will be one square in the design grid. (click on the picture for a larger view) 
spokane hoopfest t-shirt quilt block example.jpg
 
Binding: The narrow strip of fabric that finishes the outside edge of the quilt. (click on the picture for a larger view)
spokane hoopfest t-shirt quilt binding example
 
Batting: This is the insulation layer that is between the front and back of the quilt.  
Machine quilting: The stitching that holds all the layers together and prevents the batting from shifting. Stitching is less than 3" apart. (click on the pictures for a larger view) 
spokane childrens choir machine quilting example  spokane childrens choir machine quilting example
 
Sashing: The fabric used between the t-shirts. It separates the shirts into a grid system. (click on the picture for a larger view) 
spokane hoopfest t-shirt quilt sashing example
Tone-on-tone fabric: Consists of different shades of the same color. (click on the picture for a larger view) 
quilting material tone on tone example
 

Care of your T-shirt Quilt

Care methods are just as important as construction methods.

A t-shirt quilt is made to stand-up to repeated washings but as is the case with any heirloom, not harsh chemicals and abuse. I recommend washing with mild detergent in cold water, gentle cycle and drying on a low heat setting.



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