FAQs

The shirts should be clean. Wash them at least once. Any spots on the shirts will be included in your quilt. Mark clearly anything special we need to know, such as if you want to use both sides of a t-shirt. A post-it note and safety pin or pictures work very well for this purpose. You do not need to cut the shirts beforehand unless you want to include both sides of a t-shirt in a picture of how you want them arranged.  Here is a video with info on if you want to cut your t-shirts. Please check with us first to make sure that these directions apply to your style of quilt.

Don’t use duct tape as it can be hard to remove and some of the fibers also come off with it!  Don’t worry if you have some t-shirts that are thin and threadbare. They’ll be reinforced as part of the process. We’ll also be happy to make minor repairs for you.

You sure can. You can include sweatshirts and sports jerseys, such as from hockey or football.  If you have a nylon jacket or shorts with interesting artwork those can also be included. Anything that we can sew down can be included in your quilt. If it is something like a banner or ribbon, prewashing is a good idea to check for bleeding and shrinkage. Mesh or jerseys with holes ? We’ll prepare them so that they can also be included.  Here’s a video for more ideas on what can go into your quilt. 

16 adult-sized whole t-shirts weigh about 5 lbs. A t-shirt quilt made out of the artwork from 30 t-shirts with a backing applied, and with a border and sashing will weigh around 7 lbs or more depending upon the fabric. In general, this is heavier than your typical fluffy bed comforter. Some fabrics can add to the weight and we’ve had some up to 16 lbs. We’ll take your preference in to account–light or heavy during the design phase.  Here’s a video with more on the weight of your quilt. 

Allow a minimum of 4 weeks; 8 weeks for Blocky or Masonry; 12 weeks for Freestyle or a special style you have seen elsewhere. Very detailed styles can take 6 months to a year. There are no rush orders so please allow at least the minimum time needed for your project in order to complete your quilt. If you have a deadline, getting started early means your quilt will be done when you need it.

We make a custom pattern for your quilt. The size of your quilt will be known once we complete the design with your specific items. The cutting and sewing starts once you approve this. If your quilt needs to be a certain size, let us know that up front, and we will start with that as our target. Otherwise, the size is based on ideal measurements for each included item. This often ends up different from standard bed sizes. Fabric or shirts can be added or subtracted during the design phase should you need your quilt to be a certain size. This post has some examples that may be helpful.

Recommended is to wash your quilt in cold water with a mild detergent in a non-agitating washing machine.  Use the minimum amount of heat needed in order to dry it. Better to use lower dryer heat over a longer period of time than a high dryer heat for a short period of time. Do not use any bleach or fabric softener and do not iron the t-shirts as painted or vinyl artwork may melt. Avoid extremes of temperature and harsh chemicals. Pamper your t-shirt quilt and with proper care you should end up with an heirloom that you can hand down to the next generation.

The words are often used interchangeably, but a t-shirt quilt is quilted.  This involves stitching to apply your chosen stitch pattern design throughout all layers of your t-shirt quilt.  Buyer beware:  there are also t-shirt blankets for sale as quilts at very attractive prices. A t-shirt blanket is not a quilt as it is not quilted and does not have 3-4 layers, a separate binding, and quilting. When shopping around ask how your quilt is constructed. Are the seams reinforced?  Are the t-shirts stabilized?  What quilting process and pattern are used to sew through all layers to hold the quilt together.  T-shirts can be stretchy. If the t-shirt is not properly prepared prior to construction it can stretch more and lose its shape over time.  This is compounded if the stretchy t-shirt has been sewn to another stretchy knit fabric such as fleece with no stabilization and no quilting.  Over time your entire quilt may pucker and bunch as the layers begin to shift. Scrutinize pictures and proof that the person or business you’re looking to hire can get the job done.  Just because someone can sew doesn’t mean they can make a t-shirt quilt. Ask the important questions to make sure you are getting what you think you’re getting.  If it looks too good to be true…well you know the rest.  We have properly finished “blankets” once people realized that they didn’t have a real quilt. It is always more expensive to re-do these as there is often some undoing that needs to take place first.