Quilt advice for someone who doesn't sew !!

**captclearance** · 09-11-2002, 09:37 PM

I have a sewing machine but I am not really very good at sewing, I have tried to quilt in the past and had them come out horribly crocked. I had some success with a large square patchwork I did out of blue jeans.... It's very heavy, but great for using in the park........ I have been buying T-shirts with my dd's school logos at yard sales for a couple of years, I have about 45 of them now. How can an inexperienced sewer go about making a quilt using the silk screened front of these t-shirts???? I have a problem with this fabric slipping and stretching with I sew it .........

**homesteadmamma** · 09-11-2002, 10:58 PM

I've been quilting for 11 years and I can't give you a proper answer. Your best bet would be to go to a quilting store and ask them for some suggestions.

I do know, as you stated, that t-shirt material will stretch so it would be very hard to make a quilt out of it because your blocks wouldn't be shaped right.

Sorry I can't help you much when it comes to making a quilt out of t-shirts. If it was any other material I'd be able to help.

**captclearance** · 09-12-2002, 12:45 AM

Thank you...H.S.Mama....

**dz_blonde_girl** · 09-12-2002, 07:54 AM

I wonder if you got some of that stuff you can iron on the back, to stiffen up the fabric ( I can't think of what it's called, fusible webbing?) a really thin one, if that would help the knit material hold it's shape ???

**cozyquilter** · 09-12-2002, 08:18 AM

A couple of suggestions would be to use a walking foot has you sew also sometimes called a differential foot. This foot pushes both the upper fabric and lower fabric through the machine at the same time.

Also to stabilize the fabric you can use freezer paper. This really does not leave a residue at all, but does still the fabric with a very thin, thin layer of wax. You take the shiney side of the freezer paper and place it next to the back of the fabric and press with an iron...don't iron (going back and forth), just press with a medium iron.

One more thing..I think you can check the pressure of the pressure foot when you put it down. I can set mine so that fabric has a very difficult time moving when being sewn, or I can change the setting so that it is a bit looser and moves more freely.

But I do suggest you check with a sewing store or quilt store for some assistance.

Have fun!!

**captclearance** · 09-12-2002, 08:38 AM

Thank you ladies, I'll tell you what I tried, "Mommy2two" listed an easy no sew blanket in the country sampler. You just put your pieces together right sides out, cut an even fringe around all 4 sides and tie the fringes together. I tried it and it works well.. I made 5 of these and put them together with the fringe sticking up on the face side of the quilt, I then tied the corners with a yarn knot and two knots down the side. Each quilt block is a mini version of the "easy no sew blanket". It's not a thick quilt but that is better, dd doesn't like a quilt that is to heavy anyway. The thickness of 2 t-shirts is enough....... It really is a unique quilt. I hope I explained it right...... Thank you for your help !!! Thank you Mommy2two for the idea........ I think I'll try to get the quilt done for Christmas........

**homesteadmamma** · 09-12-2002, 09:22 AM

Lori good for you for figuring this out.

There is usually an answer for anything that pertains to quilting. When we all put our heads together, somewhere an answer works that makes sense and does the trick.

Can you post a picture of it. Would love to see it.