The biggest issue is not whether the T-shirt can be used. The issue is where the bling is located and how much of it is on the T-shirt. Hard decorations can’t be sewn through. They can break a needle, damage a rotary cutter, or make it difficult to quilt through that area.
But that does not mean the T-shirt is a problem. It just means we must use a creative approach – something we love to do!
If you have a T-shirt with bling, don’t panic. And don’t start pulling rhinestones off the T-shirt. That can make things worse. Just send it as it is.
When we talk about bling, we mean anything added to the surface of the T-shirt that is raised, shiny, hard, or decorative.
Rhinestones
Studs
Sequins
Glitter vinyl
Metallic designs
Puffy paint
Iron on decorations
BeDazzled designs
Decorative beads
Sparkly lettering
We see bling on all kinds of T-shirts. Cheer T-shirts, dance T-shirts, concert T-shirts, boutique T-shirts, vacation T-shirts, and kids’ T-shirts are common places to find it.
Some bling is easy to work around. Some takes more planning. A T-shirt covered with a few rhinestones is very different from a T-shirt where the entire design is made from hundreds of tightly packed stones.
When the bling is where we need to cut the block, we will have to pick the bling off before we cut the block out.
When the bling is on the seam allowance, we will need to pick the bling off the line where we sew. This might leave a glue spot on the T-shirt you can see on the front.
The point when bling is tricky is when we long arm your quilt. We must sew around the bling. This might mean that a block with lots of bling will be quilted less densely. It won’t affect the life of the quilt, it will just look a little different than the rest of the quilting.
Removing bling can leave small holes in the fabric. Sometimes the hole is worse than the bling was. Let us look at the T-shirt first. If something needs to be removed, we can decide the safest way to handle it.
If the bling is in a spot that will cause a problem, we can usually remove just the pieces that are in the way. If a hole is left behind, we will repair it.
The short version is this: send the T-shirt as it is.
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Depending on the T-shirt, we may:
Work around the rhinestones
Adjust the block size
Place the design so the bling is away from the seam
Avoid quilting directly through the decorated area
Remove a few pieces if they are in a bad spot
Repair small holes if needed
This is one of the reasons you want an experienced T-shirt quilt maker handling your quilt. These T-shirts are not all the same. A little problem solving can make the difference between a T-shirt that works beautifully and one that becomes a headache.
It depends on the quantity of T-shirts or items with bling. A few items won't change your price. More than 3 or 4 items may warrant a per item (with bling) surcharge. Read about block repair pricing here.
When you get into dance and gymnastics quilts, they are priced at a higher rate due to the complexity of the items use. This is way beyond a few T-shirts with bling. Here's an article about dance & gymnastic quilts.
If a rhinestone comes off, it may leave a tiny hole in the fabric or a glue spot. If that happens, a product such as Fray Check can help keep the hole from getting larger.
This is not something that happens every time, but it is worth knowing before your quilt is made.
If you are having a quilt made for a baby or young child, we suggest avoiding T-shirts or clothing with rhinestones, studs, buttons, beads, or other small hard decorations.
Babies put everything in their mouths. It is basically their full-time job. If a rhinestone or stud comes loose, it could become a choking hazard. For baby clothes quilts, soft and simple is the better choice.
Basically, don’t use it. Removing the bling is usually not a reasonable option. But if the items is very important and furthers the story you are telling, then you will have to decide between its importance and your dislike of it.
A full photo of the T-shirt is helpful. A close-up of the bling is even better. We can usually tell from a photo if the decorations are likely to cause a problem.
This is especially helpful if the T-shirt has:
Dense rhinestones
Metal studs
Bling close to the edge of the design
Loose decorations
A design made completely from stones or sequins
Bling on baby clothing
If you are concerned, it is much easier to talk through the issue before the T-shirt is cut. Do note, if we receive an item from you that we can't use, we will let you know and return that item with your completed quilt.
The most important thing is this: don’t remove the bling before sending the T-shirt. If you are concerned, let us take a look first. We can usually work around it, adjust for it, or remove only what needs to be removed.
If the T-shirt matters to you, it is worth asking before deciding it can’t be used.
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