Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • tshirt quilt - confused! >
  • tshirt quilt - confused!

  • tshirt quilt - confused!

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 01-27-2013, 10:40 AM
      #1  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Mar 2012
    Posts: 78
    Default tshirt quilt - confused!

    I am confused on making a tshirt quilt. What do I use for the backing of the tshirts? If fusible interfacing, what kind and weight or is there something else I'm supposed to use besides interfacing. When I went to the fabric shop there are so many different types and the clerk wasn't very helpful. I've only made two other quilts and just confused on how to go about the tshirt quilt, so any other tips will be appreciated.
    mary74 is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 10:42 AM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Eastern Washington
    Posts: 29,524
    Default

    I have used a light or medium weight NON-woven fusible interfacing, and with great success. You need a non-woven to help keep the t-shirts from going wonky on you!
    Mariposa is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 10:46 AM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Scissor Queen's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2009
    Location: Southwest Kansas
    Posts: 4,820
    Default

    The interfacing I use is a knitted fusible. It's called Fusi-knit. You put the stretch of the interfacing the opposite way of the stretch of the t-shirt. It keeps them soft but makes them stable.
    Scissor Queen is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 11:06 AM
      #4  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: Northern Michigan
    Posts: 12,861
    Default

    the difference between a non-woven & a woven interfacing is:
    non woven is like a paper- woven is like a lightweight fabric
    i use woven interfacing in my t=shirt quilts- it is softer & doesn't tear as easily as the non-wovens do
    you do not want (paper backed fusable) like heat n bond-or wonderunder---you want to ask for lightweight fusable interfacing- pellon seems to be the one most places like joannes carries- it is white, thin (see through) with a bumpy side (the side with the fusable on it) and a smooth side- the bumpy side goes on the back of the t-shirt decals, you press it on- it stablizes the shirts so they don't stretch out of shape while you are sewing. it is the same stuff found in the cuffs/collars of shirts (except those sometimes are a heavier weight) or along a placket (where the buttons/button holes are on the shirt)...just adds some stability- and stays in- does not need to be removed.
    ckcowl is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 12:02 PM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    sak658's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: down Houston way...
    Posts: 1,581
    Default

    I just finished my first t-shirt quilt..and I used Pellon EK 130 Easy Knit Fusible Knit interfacing and underlining...it worked out great for me...fusing on one side...[ATTACH=CONFIG]391144[/ATTACH]it made the t-shirts very easy to work with..and crisp looking...I cut out the design larger than necessary..ironed on the fusible then trimmed to the size I wanted..good luck...
    Attached Thumbnails maeghans-t-shirt-quilt-top-001.jpg  
    sak658 is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 12:06 PM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    ssnare's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Location: Arma, Kansas
    Posts: 3,079
    Default

    Beautiful quilt!
    ssnare is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 12:10 PM
      #7  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2012
    Posts: 101
    Default

    sak658 - Love your quilt. I really like the idea of offsetting the t-shirt with the black "shadow". Makes it really pop! Good job.
    21quilter is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 12:25 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    franc36's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Tennessee
    Posts: 1,501
    Default

    What a gorgeous quilt!
    franc36 is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 07:23 PM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    blahel's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2007
    Location: other side of the black stump, Perth Western Australia
    Posts: 1,902
    Default

    Originally Posted by ckcowl
    the difference between a non-woven & a woven interfacing is:
    non woven is like a paper- woven is like a lightweight fabric
    i use woven interfacing in my t=shirt quilts- it is softer & doesn't tear as easily as the non-wovens do
    you do not want (paper backed fusable) like heat n bond-or wonderunder---you want to ask for lightweight fusable interfacing- pellon seems to be the one most places like joannes carries- it is white, thin (see through) with a bumpy side (the side with the fusable on it) and a smooth side- the bumpy side goes on the back of the t-shirt decals, you press it on- it stablizes the shirts so they don't stretch out of shape while you are sewing. it is the same stuff found in the cuffs/collars of shirts (except those sometimes are a heavier weight) or along a placket (where the buttons/button holes are on the shirt)...just adds some stability- and stays in- does not need to be removed.
    this is excellent advice as I had the same problem with only no name stabilisers available and I too was confused. lightweight fusible interfacing (dont worry about the brand as long as it says that) is the one you want and ckcowl is right it has those dots only on one side.
    I cut my tshirts out first but as big as i could along the seam lines. Then I ironed on the fusible being careful to iron the fusible with the stretch opposite to the tshirts stretch (hope this makes sense)Then I cut out the tshirts to the size I wanted.
    Mine is still a work in progress as I can only work on it when my husband is away as it is a surprise 50th quilt for him but so far all going well.
    I also love your quilt sak658 as I too have got light grey material for my quilt and i am going to do the shadows behind.
    blahel is offline  
    Old 01-27-2013, 08:47 PM
      #10  
    Senior Member
     
    PlanoDebbie's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2012
    Location: Plano, TX
    Posts: 447
    Default

    I use the featherweight fusible interfacing for my t-shirt quilts. When it goes on sale for 50% off at JoAnn's, I buy at least 2 or 3 bolts of the stuff! There are 25 yards on a bolt.

    T-shirt quilts are really a lot of fun to make!
    PlanoDebbie is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Denice_a
    Main
    5
    07-25-2014 06:10 AM
    sarah333
    Pictures
    16
    09-22-2012 05:24 AM
    Elizabeth A.
    Pictures
    18
    06-09-2011 11:34 AM
    howard anne baumann
    Main
    7
    02-24-2010 03:16 PM
    KSCrafter
    Pictures
    24
    06-22-2009 11:29 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter