Thank you for you thoughts... the size is probably negotiable. It was the Jacob's Ladder pattern that I am feeling attached to. Thanks!

You could always do a crazy quilt, that's how I do all my memory quilts.

I have seen some beautiful crazy quilts.. and I did consider that. I am only hung up on the Jacob's Ladder pattern because I am making the quilt in memory of my nephew - whose name is Jacob..... so right now I feel committed to that pattern

a friend brought one for me to quilt .she did mixed blocks ....a large d.plate in the center and did a few t- shirt like the pic here .then did some patchwork blocks it was for a young man so she added some animal fabrics to the shirts .....was really creative ...where are you ... i am in southern indiana also

This has been a very informative thread. I Hope to make a memory quilt for my 2 nieces and nephew. My sister-in-law has not given me my brother's clothing yet. When she does I will use some of this information. I also love the picture that hopetoquilt posted. I have to look up jacob's ladder. Sorry for your loss meyert, I have been told that making a memory quilt is therapeutic. We will see.

Someone gave me her grandmother's clothes and they were mostly jersey knits to make a quilt with. She also had sweatshirts and a little of cotton. I ended up using the sweatshirts for quilt backs, and put muslin with the knits. It worked out, but I will never try that one again.

I can relate to your "nervousness". Last winter I made a quilt for someone from all her 5 children's baby clothes. She was very sentimental about them and it also included her son's baby blanket that had died as an infant. It took me many evenings of laying out the pieces to see what went well together and then leaving it alone for a couple of days to give me a chance to change my mind. The first cut was the hardest but in the end it was a quilt I was very proud of and she loved it.
I also used alot of interfacing as she had knits, demin, nylon, and even a baby sock. Good luck with your project. Just take your time.

I agree with amyjo. Lighter weight on one side and denim and sweats on back

You asked about backing the tshirt fabric before or after cutting.
If it were me, I'd use iron on light weight fusible interfacing.

Trust your instincts on this one.