Unexpected Costs of Having a T-shirt Quilt Made

Having a T-shirt quilt made sounds simple enough: send in your shirts, get back a quilt.

But just like with airline tickets or cell phone plans, the final price isn’t always what you thought it would be. There are often hidden or unexpected costs that can sneak up on you if you're not paying attention—or if your quilt maker isn’t transparent.

We’ve put together this list to help you spot those surprise charges before you have your quilt made.

Here is a list of all of Too Cool T-shirt Quilt's Special Request and Services that go beyond what's included in a basic quilt.

1. Shipping To and/or From the Quilt Maker

Every company has different policies about who pays for shipping to and from the quilt maker. Shipping costs can sneak up—especially if you’re overnighting a box to meet a deadline.

Read your quilt maker’s website to know what part of the shipping cost are your responsibility.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
The return shipping cost is included in the price of a quilt. You will pay to ship your T-shirts to us.

2. Fabrics Other than T-shirts

Some quilt makers charge extra for dealing with wicking, jersey, or paper-thin shirts. Some charge per shirt cost while others have separate pricing tiers. And some makers will only work with typical cotton T-shirts.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We have different pricing for jersey, baby clothes or clothing quilts. On our pricing page you will see this broken out. Note - we can mix of match any machine washable fabrics. 

3. Custom Layout or Design Fees

Want something beyond a basic grid? Some places tack on fees for non-standard designs. Read more about different quilt styles here. 

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
Our standard design is the puzzle-style layout. We also offer stained-glass and ultra-modern styles, which are priced based on complexity.

4. Additional T-shirts

Found five more T-shirts you “forgot”? Adding them mid-project might mean a layout redo and an additional cost. Every quilt maker will have their own policy about adding in last minute T-shirts.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
If we’re early in the process, no problem. If we’ve already laid out the quilt, there’s an hourly fee to adjust. Once sewing begins, additional shirts can’t be added.

5. Backing Fabrics or Material Upgrades

Some quilt makers always charge for the backing material—making their base price look lower but adding “hidden” costs later. Read your quilt maker’s website carefully to figure out what backing materials are standard in the cost of the quilt.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
100% high quality cotton is inclusive in our pricing. We do have an option to have use Minky backing fabric. There is additional cost for that. Our Austin TX location offers Minky backing. 

6. Rush Charges

Need your quilt in time for graduation or the holidays, but you’re late to the game? Rush charges are common—sometimes a flat fee, sometimes a percentage of the total.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We charge a percentage of the quilt cost, if necessary. If we need to add a rush charge will depends on our workload and the time of year. 

7. Quilting and Binding

Some quilt makers prices are only for the quilt top. They either don’t do the long-arm quilting or will charge extra for it. Some makers have an ala carte pricing system.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
Our pricing includes quilting and binding!

Planning a T-shirt quilt?
Here are step-by-step directions for ordering your Too Cool T-shirt quilt.

8. Embroidery or Personalization

Names, dates, quotes—most places charge extra for those touches. Each quilt maker approaches this differently depending on what equipment they have. 

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We do not offer embroidery services here. But we do know people we can refer you to! That cost would be between you and the person doing the embroidery.

9. Extra Large Quilts

Moving up in size can lead to a price jump. There is just a lot more acreage in a large quilt. Some quilt makers only can make a smaller quilt because they don't have the larger machine necessary. Check their website.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We have the size of the quilt built into our pricing system. But you will see a larger step between sizes as you go over a king size quilt. 

The photo here show the different size T-shirt quilts all lined up in the upper left hand corner. Each quilt is a different color. The dark purple is a king size and the red is a lap size.

10. Fixing Damaged or Stained Shirts

If a shirt has holes, ink, or sweat stains, you may be charged for patching or working around the issue. There might be a charge for extra thin T-shirts. 

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We can fix T-shirts that need a little TLC. Your first five fixes are free. After that, there’s a small charge per fix. 

11. Photo Transfers or Appliqués

Printing a photo or adding something non-flat can increase the cost of your quilt.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We do not print photos here. You would have to have those printed on a T-shirt or other fabric before you send your T-shirts to us. Appliqués: your first five are free. After that, there’s a small charge per item.

To learn more about T-shirt quilts, visit our Learning Center.
We have over 200 articles about all aspects of T-shirt quilts.

12. Taxes

How much tax will be added to your quilt will depend on the state/county your quilt is made in or shipped to. Ask your quilter a head of time what the tax will be.

If your quilt maker is working under the table, there might not be tax. But you risk other issues with unregistered businesses.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We have three locations. You will need to check with your specific quilt maker. The Charlotte MI location is in a state where there is no sales tax on services and our product made at this location is consider a service.

13. Insured Return Shipping and Signature at Delivery

Some quilt makers add insurance by default. Others don’t. Requesting insurance or signature confirmation can add up.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
If you would like your quilt insured, we can give you a quotation for it when were a finished with your quilt. We charge a small fee if you want a signature at delivery.

14. Do-Over Fees (a.k.a. Regret Tax)

Did you get the wrong T-shirt in your quilt? Is there something you hate about your quilt? If the quilt maker messes up, they should fix it. But if it’s your mistake—like sending the wrong shirt most quilt makers will charge an hourly rate to fix your quilt.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We charge an hourly rate for customer mistakes that require fixing. If we mess up? We’ll fix it, no charge.

Conclusion

Don’t assume every quilt maker plays by the same rules—or includes the same services in their pricing. A quilt that looks less expensive at first glance might have hidden nickel-and-dime charges later.

Too Cool T-shirt Quilts
We aim to keep things clear. We’d rather be up front about what things cost than surprise you later. Because a T-shirt quilt should make you feel good—not give you sticker shock.