Instead of taking those old t-shirts to Goodwill, upcycle them into a memory quilt. Learn how to turn your old shirts into a special, memory-filled t-shirt quilt.
Guess what I did! I made a quilt out of old t-shirts! This plan has been stuck in my mind ever since my now 17-year-old daughter was little. I saved up 17 years’ worth of t-shirts and made her a quilt for her high school graduation.
Sound difficult? Trust me on this. If I can do it, you can do it!
I am not a seamstress. Or a quilter. I only sew for fun.
I am going to share with you the basic process I used and then give y’all some links that will give you more information so you can make your very own t-shirt quilt.
Note: If you’re looking for other memory keepsakes, check out my DIY Memory Box and Wedding Memorial Frame and In Loving Memory Wedding Sign projects!
How To Make A T-shirt Quilt
So, I knew I wanted to make this amazing and HUGE queen-size quilt. But where do I even start? I had a big pile of t-shirts and an idea.
I started with lots of research.
Materials Needed
Here are the supplies you’ll need to have on hand to make your t-shirt quilt.
- T-Shirts – lots of them!
- Iron-on interfacing
- Batting (or an old, clean blanket)
- Backing fabric (cotton or flannel work well)
- Iron
- Scissors
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Sewing Machine
Instructions
Here’s a VERY simplified set of instructions. If you need more detail on making t-shirt quilts, check out the resources I include for you down below.
Step 1
Gather all of the T-shirts and backing material you plan to use in your t-shirt quilt. Clean and prepare the material ahead of time.
Step 2
Decide the size you want your finished quilt to be and use that to determine how big you want your squares – and how many you’ll need.
Step 3
Cut off the necks and sleeves of your t-shirts so that you have 2 large rectangles from each t-shirt.
Step 4
Determine your layout for all the t-shirt squares. Begin sewing your squares together to form columns. Then, sew the columns together.
Step 5
In a large open spot (probably on the floor), lay out the backing fabric, add the batting material on top, and add the quilt layer as the top. Sew the pieces together to form your finished t-shirt quilt.
My quilt is very large and fits a queen-sized bed. You can tackle a smaller version for your first project, if you prefer – or jump right in with both feet as I did!
I took it slowly and carefully. Are there mistakes? Oh yes, there are mistakes. I call that “character” from mom making this one herself. I hope she can tell her grandchildren about how mom made her a t-shirt quilt for high school graduation.
Lessons Learned From This T-shirt Quilt Project
I will tell y’all now that this is a lot of work.
The layout was the hardest step, but adding fusible interfacing to all those shirts was no walk in the park either.
It took around 20 to 24 hours to complete this project. I just tied the t-shirt quilt at all of the intersections, so no actual quilting was involved.
I wanted to give my daughter something extra special for graduation. You know what? I succeeded!
FAQs
Here are a couple of questions that I see readers ask about making this handmade t-shirt quilt. Please check to see if I’ve already answered it below if you have a question. Don’t see it? Leave it for me in the comments!
How many t-shirts do I need for a quilt?
You’ll need around 30 t-shirts for a full-size quilt, and it’ll take about 36 t-shirts for a queen-size quilt. A full-size quilt would be about 82″ x 96,″ while a queen-size quilt should be around 96″ x 96.″
Do you have to prewash interfacing?
Yes. Wash and prepare your interfacing the same way you would prepare your t-shirts and backing fabric.
A T-shirt Quilt Is A Blanket Of Memories
There are baby shirts in this quilt. Shirts she painted in preschool. School shirts. Ball shirts. Shirts with so many memories attached to them. I could not throw out those memories.
But, who is going to hold on to and go through a box of old t-shirts to bring back memories? This quilt is something she can keep around for her entire life and remember each and every event associated with these shirts.
I could not keep this a surprise, though, because it was spread out in my living room and other areas of my home for weeks.
I would just work on it a few hours at a time. Once I had the t-shirts sewed together into a quilt top, I knew it was all going to be worth the effort. I could cry looking at this, y’all – I’m so proud of it and touched by all the memories!
I actually used the quilt as a display during her graduation party. If you’re looking for ideas, check out my High School Graduation Party Ideas.
More Resources For Making A T-shirt Quilt
The two tutorials that will help you the most are over at The Sewing Loft and Instructables. Do lots of research, so you feel comfortable with the process and build up your confidence. You can do this!
Don’t throw out those t-shirts with memories. Don’t send them to Good Will. Gather up your courage and make your son or daughter a t-shirt quilt that they will cherish for many years to come.
More Graduation Inspiration
If you have a graduate in your life, check out these other great graduation crafts.
Supplies
Instructions
- Gather all of the T-shirts and backing fabric. Clean and prepare the material ahead of time.
- Determine how big you want your finished quilt to be and decide how big to make your squares you can determine how big the squares need to be.
- Cut off the neck and sleeves of the t-shirts so you're left with rectangles.
- Determine your t-shirt squares layout. Sew your squares together into columns then sew the columns together.
- Spread out the backing fabric, top it with the batting material, then add the quilt layer as the top. Sew the layers together to form your finished quilt.
You did an awesome job!!
Awesome job Angie! Yes, it looks like a TON of work – but something your daughter will treasure for years… and so much better than an overflowing box of old t-shirts! 🙂
awww those are so sweet! I made one for jamie when she graduated HS and I don’t even know where it is now. They really are great keepsakes!
gail
You have done a service to me today. My kids always go to bible camp and they get new tee-shirts each year. They’ve grown out of so many of them and I just packed them into a bag to give them away. I’d been thinking for years about what to do with them and I finally gave in and decided to give them to charity (I didn’t really want to).
Now I know just what to do with them. Thank you!
What a memory for your graduate. A very close friend lost her son and she made a memorial quilt from his T-shirts and baseball uniforms. Thanks for sharing yours and perhaps moms who’ve lost their children could get ideas for doing something like this in their child’s memory. Congratulations to your daughter!
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Oh my Goodness Angie, it looks incredible!! I love that you saved 17 years worth of amazing memories!
~Heather
I have been saving my little ones T’s just for this! You did a beautiful job and I am sure it will be treasured FOREVER!
This looks great! and what a cherished treasure it will be!
I love this! Great job! I have actually been wanting to make something like this for myself for awhile out of all my old Hard Rock Cafe shirts I’ve collected, but I will have to do this in the future too! 🙂
You did a very nice job! For those out there who would rather not tackle this huge project on their own, I make t-shirt quilts for people all over the world, and would be honored to make theirs, as well! If you are now making these to sell, please take this comment down, as I am in no way trying to infringe on your business. I just know when I made my first one – seventeen years ago – I had no idea I would be making them for celebrities, pro athletes, White House Staff, military heroes, and normal ole’ people just like me for retirements, graduations, birthdays, and in memory of loved ones who have passed. Thank you and may you be blessed!
Cindia
http://www.facebook.com/cindiasquiltsnstuff