Thanks Grandma!

Recently I posted about a T-Shirt rag quilt that I was working on for my oldest granddaughter.  It was for her graduation present. Well, it's done and here she is just loving it! 

 And a closeup for all of you who want to know how it was done!  And for those who love Elvis!

How was is done?

I cut out the portion of the T-Shirt that I wanted for the square with another piece of the T-shirt exactly the same size.  This second piece could be any piece, since it was the inside layer piece and does not show except to add to the fringe. Many times I was able to cut the exact piece as the t-shirt lay on the table flat and I cut thru the two layers of the shirt, front and back.  The printed section of the shirt was then fused on the back with a very lightweight interfacing to add stability.  I thought that this was needed since t-shirt fabric is so stretchy.  Then a third piece --  backing fabric, in this case,  a gray flannel with pink polka dots--was cut to the exact dimensions of the other two pieces.  These three layers were then quilted together on the machine into a block. All shirts were done this way, until I had enough blocks to sew together in rows.   Rows were sewn with the backing fabrics together, this insures that the eventual fringe will be on the t-shirt side of the quilt.  After the top is all together, you will need to clip all the ragged seams with a rag quilt snip at about 1/8 to 1/4 inch intervals.  Be careful not to cut the seam stitching.  

I love this because nothing has to be exact.  Cut t-shirts tend to curl at the edges, but don't worry about it.  A friend of mine who made quilts all her life, used to say, "Don't worry, it will all come out in the wash!" 

Anyway, this one will all come out just fine, after it is clipped and washed. 

Anyone ever made a rag quilt before? 

T-Shirt Quilt in Progress



Colleen's Life T-Shirt Quilt

 I know, I know . . . . I did an "in Progress" post a few weeks ago . . . .and I never showed the finished project!  Well, I'm like most of you, I think, and I have several projects going at one time.  The quilted baby blanket that I spoke about earlier is not finished.  The quilting being done is taking quite some time, and is difficult on my old sewing machine.  I definitely want a walking foot for Christmas!!!
Interruptions of a craft show, my Design shop Birthday sale, house sitting for a friend, a giveaway, and choir dresses to hem--eight of them--have impeded my progress! I will get back to the quilt soon and show it to you!  I promise!! 

Anyway, I want to show another project that I am working on.  I know . . I know . . . I've featured my oldest granddaughter in several posts lately, but I want to follow-up on one that I wrote about her graduation present.  (You may have missed it, because it was also about the Last day of the Sale that I hosted--I think it got lost in all the sale hype!) I can finally show you the work in progress.  Her Life T-Shirt Quilt:

Mind you, it is not finished, I will finish it when I am house sitting again at my friends house over Thanksgiving. She has an awesome huge sewing room and I will finish the quilt there. My friend recommended using this 'quilt as you go method.'  The seams are cut in a fringe style and I really like it since t-shirt material tends not to fray and this makes a nice finish for the quilt. 

This quilt has several layers. When cutting a portion of the front of a t-shirt, I cut an identical piece from the back side and used it for a batting. The printed portion is re-enforced with a thin iron on interfacing to provide stability for each design, and besides, it's t-shirt material, very stretchy.  I needed to do something to limit the stretch.  Then the backing, not shown, is a flannel.  This quilt will be very soft and cuddly when it is finished!  I can't wait to see it finished!!

What are you working on that may have taken a back seat to another project?