How to make a t-shirt quilt
A t-shirt quilt is a grid of squares cut from shirt fronts, each backed with fusible interfacing so the knit doesn't stretch, set with sashing. With 12" blocks and 2" sashing, a throw takes 16 shirts.
Knit stretches and quilting cotton does not, so the interfacing is not optional: it makes each shirt behave like woven fabric.
By Editorial Staff
Making the blocks
Wash the shirts without fabric softener. Cut each one open up the sides and across the shoulders, so you have the front as a flat piece.
Cut a square 1" bigger than the block will be cut, 13½" for a 12" block, centered on the design. Cut a square of lightweight woven fusible interfacing the same size.
Fuse the interfacing to the back of the shirt square with a hot, dry iron, pressing (not sliding) for the time on the interfacing label. Let it cool flat.
Turn it over and trim it to 12½" square with the design centered, using a square ruler.
Sew the blocks with sashing strips and cornerstones, the same way as any sashed quilt: see how to add sashing. Quilt it fairly closely, every 4" or so, so the shirts don't sag.
Shirts and interfacing for every size
| Size | Finished | Shirts | Interfacing, 20" wide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crib | 52" × 66" | 12 | 5 yd |
| Throw | 66" × 66" | 16 | 6¾ yd |
| Twin | 66" × 94" | 24 | 10 yd |
| Full | 80" × 94" | 30 | 12½ yd |
| Queen | 94" × 108" | 42 | 17½ yd |
| King | 108" × 108" | 49 | 20¼ yd |
12" blocks with 2" sashing and a 4" border. The [T-shirt quilt pattern](/patterns/t-shirt-quilt) has the sashing, border and backing for each size.
Plan your next quilt in your own fabric
Quiltspiration draws any pattern in the fabric you own and works out the cut list for any size.