Making Your Own T-Shirt Quilt – Part 4

Thank you for following along.  If you have completed the previous steps up until this point, you should have everything cut out for both the top and bottom of the quilt.

Today’s step begins the major contstruction steps with the quilt.  We are going to help you complete sewing an entire row of t-shirt blocks together.  Some tips before we start…

• DON’T RUSH
• Make sure seams are lined up evenly along the entire pinned seam before you sew.
• Make sure you have adequate pinning included in the below steps.  You want fabric to feed evenly as you sew – not bunch and create a pucker. 

Let’s START forming rows!!!!!

Step1: To form a t-shirt row, begin by laying out an entire row – both the framed t-shirts and the cut sashing that go between each of the framed t-shirt squares.  The row should contain one more strip than there are t-shirt blocks.

Step 2: Pick up the first strip and first t-shirt block.  Lay the back sides of each piece together and make sure the long edges line up on the left side of the t-shirt block.

As you can see the top sides of each piece are clearly visible.

Step 3: Sew a 1/2″ visible seam along the pinned edge.  You DO want to see the seam on top of the t-shirt for the fringing later on.

Repeat this step until each of the framed t-shirt squares have a piece of sashing sewn to the left side.

Step 4:

We are going to sew the sashing to the right sides.  You should currently have one extra piece of sashing on the right end of the row.  Begin with this piece.  Pin it to the right side of the framed t-shirt block in the same manner you just pinned the sashing on the left side and sew the 1/2″ visible seam.

Step 5:  Continue from step 4 by going back to each of the right sides of the framed t-shirt pieces.  Lay the back sides of the 1st t-shirt/sashing combo to the 2nd t-shirt/sashing combo.  Make certain the correct edges are laying together so that when you pin for the seam, the t-shirts are both laying in the same direction and in the desired order you picked. 

Using the picture as a reference, sew another 1/2″ visible seam.  You should now have to completed seams in the middle of the t-shirt squares. 

Continue this step until you have one entire row sewn together. 

Step 6: Go back to step 1 and repeat each of these steps until each of your t-shirt rows are completed.

 This will take some time, but be patient.  The straighter the stiching and the more even the fabric is at the edges will make successive steps much easier to complete AND your quilt will most definitely rag better.

Hope things continue to go well.  Again, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. fabricgal68@yahoo.com OR 309-530-5620

Men’s Tie Tags into Coasters

Have any of you ever sewn with the men’s ties?  I seem to be making items out of men’s ties all of the time.  As you can see on my Facebook Group Upcycling & More.  When I sew with men’s ties, I tend to pull them apart.  Meaning, I take out the stitching, the padding in the center, and the tags.  However, being a good upcycler, I do not throw any parts of this away.

Sew….in keeping with the upcycling theme, I kept throwing the tags into a ziplock bag until I could come up with a crafty way to utilize them.  One of the things I thought about was what people tend to buy at craft shows in the fall.  Many individuals tend like trinket-type gifts that they don’t have to spend a lot of money on, but are useful to the person receiving them. 

What did I do with the tags from the men’s ties?

I turned them into drink coasters.

I cut out 5 1/4″ squares of fabric (2 per coaster)

I added a piece of cotton woven fusible backing (the same thing I use to back t-shirts before putting them into a quilt) to the back of one side of the coaster.  This support helps when stitching the tags to the fabric.  It is easier to sew and keeps the fabric from bunching when adding the tags.

Before sewing anything, I laid out the tags into a desirable pattern onto the piece that has the cotton backing.  After I figured out a display, I used double-sided, fusible, strips called steam a seam.  I placed a small piece onto the back of each tag and ironed to hold in place before I could sew it on.

You can choose any type of stitching to add the tags onto the coaster – straight stich near the edge or maybe a zig-zag around the edges.

Each coaster will need some type of padding for the center -  such as a couple pieces of flannel or a piece of batting.  I cut these 1/4″ smaller than the fabric size (batting was cut as a 5″ square). 

The purpose for cutting it slightly smaller is so that you do not have a lot of bulk in the seam when you sew it.  It is not as easy to get clean, flat edges with the finished product if you have too much bulk to deal with.

Now, sandwich together the batting, top side and bottom side of the coaster.  Make certain that the right sides of the fabric for the the top and bottom layers are together.  You are going to sew a 1/4″ seam around the coaster leaving a 2″ opening for turning.

Trim the corners so that the bulk is eliminated.

Turn inside out.  Make sure corners are pushed out evenly.

Press.  Fold the opening closed.

Top stitch around the entire outer edge.

A complete tutorial will be made available at www.expressionsphotogifts.com

If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact me directly at fabricgal68@yahoo.com

Until next time…

Making Your Own T-Shirt Quilt – Part 3

Okay,

How is everyone doing?  Getting your t-shirts framed? 

If you have completed Part 1 and Part 2, you should be at the following point.  This picture shows that all of the t-shirts have a fabric frame completed on each selected t-shirt for the quilt.

As we resume this process, we are at the point where we need to cut out sashing as well as the back of the quilt.

Step 1:

Begin by taking the measurements of the t-shirt now with the completed frame.  You need the width as well as the height.

Step 2:

Take the measurements and cut out a large piece with those exact measurements that fits the back side of the framed t-shirt piece.shirt.  Use the same fabric you with which you created the frame. 

 

 

 

Step 3:

Cutting the sashing that connects the framed t-shirts in the same row:  this will come from your selected patterned piece of fabric.  Using your height measurement, cut out a piece of fabric that is the same height and 4 inches wide.  Keep the fabric folded (doubled).  Then when you cut, you are then able to cut the front and back side at the exact same time.  Cut 1 more piece of sashing than you have # of t-shirts in that row (Example: if you have 4 t-shirts in a row, cut out 5 strips of sashing).

Repeat this step until each row has the proper # of sashing pieces for that row.  Each t-shirt should have a strip that goes on either side of each t-shirt.

 

 

 

 

Step 4:

Cutting rows of sashing that go between rows of t-shirts.  Using your width measurement, you are going to cut from the same fabric.  Cut out a piece of sashing that is the same length as your new width measurement and is also 4 inches high.  This time cut the exact same # that you have # of t-shirts in each row.  You want 1 more row of sashing than you have rows of t-shirts. (Example: if you have 4 rows of t-shirts, cut out 5 rows of horizontal sashing.).  Remember if you keep the fabric doubled when you cut, you will be able to cut out the front along with the corresponding back side as the same time.

With this type of rag quilting, your quilt will have same squares which connect the sashing you have cut in the previous 2 steps.

Step 5

Cut out the 4″ X4″ square.  Count the # of pieces of sashing you cut from step 4.  Cut out this amount plus 1 for each row of sashing. (Example: if you cut out 3 strips for the sashing row, you will cut out 4 squares)

When you are done with the above steps, you should have both the front and back cut out so we can begin sewing everything together.

Continue cutting everything out and we will continue with the next step, next time.

Keep up the great work!  It does take a little time.  If you want are the type of person who would like to learn how to do this live, I’m a traveling teacher.  I do come to groups to help them through this process.  If you are interested in having a teacher come to a group, please contact me for more details – fabricgal68@yahoo.com,  309-530-5620

Best wishes

Until next time…..

www.expressionsphotogifts.com

Making Your Own T-Shirt Quilt – Part 2

We are continuing on our quest to make our own t-shirt quilt using rag-style quilting.  This is a great way to be able to complete the quilt from start to finish without having to pay someone else to quilt and bind the quilt for you.  To complete this type of quilt, the optimal fabric choices include home spun cottons or flannel.  Don’t panic with the word flannel, the choices of flannel have greatly changed over the years.  For more sophisticated options, go to a local quilt shop.

The next step in the process of creating this type of t-shirt quilt is to make the frame around the t-shirt. 

1) Begin by making sure you have the measurement of the height (top to bottom) of the cut t-shirt square.

2) Cut a piece of solid fabric 2 1/2″ wide by the length determined in the previous step.  Cut out 2 of these pieces (one for each side of the shirt frame).

3. Place one strip on from step 2 on either side of the t-shirt (right sides together) and sew a 1/4″ seam.

4. Press the newly sewn piece open.  Make sure the seam on the bottom side is pressed away from the t-shirt. 

5. Measure the width of the newly formed t-shirt piece from above step.

6. Cut 2 strips from a solid fabric that are 2 1/2″ wide and the same length as measured from this picture.

7. Place one piece on the top and one on the bottom with right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam. 

8. Press open.  Make sure pressing open that the seams underneath are pressed out.

9. Continue this process until all the t-shirts you selected and cut for the quilt are framed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at fabricgal68@yahoo.com.  Or check out the newly formed website  at www.expressionsphotogifts.com

Until next time….!!!

Making Your Own T-Shirt Quilt – Part 1

Do you ever think – oh, I can do that! That looks so easy. BUT!!! How do I begin. In the following t-shirt quilt series, I’m going to address this step-by-step.

Step 1: Determine the shirts you wish to put into the quilt

 Step 2: Cut up along the side of the shirt as far as you can go to cut directly across to the other side to make a large rectangle.

Step 3: Iron on a cotton woven fusible backing. This can be purchased at any craft store like JoAnn Fabrics or your local Quilt Fabric store.

Step 4: Using a sewing ruler (not classroom rulers – quilting rulers), measure the logos on your shirts. Find the measurement which is the widest and the measurement which shows the tallest. This doesn’t necessarily come from the same shirt. Add 1 inch to those measurements.

Step 5: Using the established width and height measurements, cut out this amount from each t-shirt to form uniform squares with which to sew.

Step 6: Layout the cut squares in the desired order you wish to place them into the quilt.

Step 7: To maintain the order, pin the shirts to a bed sheet. Roll up the bed sheet until you are ready to sew again. Keep the bed sheet thru the process so you can keep all the pieces in the desired order while you are designing the quilt.

         Keep going! You can do it. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at fabricgal68@yahoo.com

Get Upcycling

Upcycling – not a term that many are familiar with.  It simply refers to a process where you deconstruct an item and reconstruct it into a new and useful purpose.  This could mean something like cutting apart a sweater and turning it into a pair of mittens and a matching scarf.  You can use many different types of media to accomplish this – not just clothing which is either out of date or no longer worn.  Another example would be taking a pillow case and turning it into a dress or top.  Upcycling is only limited to one’s imagination.

If you like to attempt at your hand at designing/sewing but just are not confident in your skills, start with something simple.   Are you getting ready to discard old bedding? Wait!!!!  Locate one of the pillow cases.  It may not look like much be you are looking at a little girls dress or maybe a top. 

1) Cut along the end with the seam.  Don’t cut much off, but just enough to get rid of the seam.

2) Cut diagonally at the same end so it looks like you cut out a triangle piece.  The triangle should be large enough for a girls arm to fit thru it comfortably.

3) Fold the edges along the diagonal cut about 1/4″ and press.  Sew a top stitch to keep the edges of the cut hidden and you have a finished looking seam.

4) Next, fold the edges where the seam use to be over about 1″ and press.  This should form a hole on the front and back of the pillow case for placing a ribbon thru it.  Sew a top stitch near the raw edge inside of the pillow case to reveal a finished edge.

5) Place a matching ribbon thru each of the front and back holes.  The ribbon should be long enough so that you can run it thru and still have enough to tie into a bow at the end of each sleeve. 

If you have any questions about what this looks like, feel free to check out the picture at the Facebook Group…..Upcycling & More.  There are visuals of this quick sew dress at this location.