What Should I do After I Have Found a T-shirt Quilt Maker?

Every company or person who makes T-shirt quilts, does it in her own unique way. Each maker’s process can differ from another maker’s process. If you are not careful, you might run into some confusion while you are having your quilt made.

Confusion can arise because you might not remember what process your chosen quilter uses. If you confuse another company’s process with the one you are using, you may expect something that doesn't happen.

For example, we have had customers upset with us for failing to send them a photograph of their quilt before it’s sewn.  Except we never say that we will send a photograph of your quilt before it’s sewn. This would be something you might have remembered from another website. If you knew not to expect a photograph, then you wouldn’t have had a reason to get upset for failing to get a photograph.

It’s differences like this that lead you and your quilter into situations that sometimes can’t be resolved.

Don’t set yourself up for a bad situation due to false expectations!

Here are 10 simple steps that you can take to help make your T-shirt quilt experience easier and more enjoyable.

1. Bookmark the website of the T-shirt quilt company that you choose to make your quilt.

This will help you quickly find information about that company including email and physical addresses.

2. Delete the bookmarks of any other company.

This will eliminate any confusion mixing up different companies.

3. Reread the website of the company that you have chosen. 

Look for a page that explains their process of how everything works.  Read this carefully and make sure you understand and can live with that company’s process. 

4. Read the company’s directions for marking what you either want or don’t want used on your T-shirts.

This is important! Every company has a unique method for marking your T-shirts. There is nothing more frustrating to a quilter than to have T-shirts marked wrong. Use the directions of your quilt maker. Don’t make up your own directions.

For example, here at Too Cool T-shirt quilts we ask you to X out any graphic you don’t want used with blue painter’s tape. It’s an easy way for us to tell what you do and don’t want used. 

When we get a box of T-shirts that has everything boxed in with blue painter’s tape we just groan. First, we have to remove the tape. Then if something is not boxed, we don’t know if you want is used or not! This is because we ask you to X things out you don’t want. So, if it is not X’d out and not boxed, we don’t know what to do.

Carefully following your quilter’s marking directions will result in a better quilt and less guessing. 

Read more about Too Cool T-shirt quilt’s direction for marking your T-shirts here.

To learn more about the different types, styles and qualities of T-shirts, download our T-shirt Quilt Buyer’s Guide. 
It’s a great place to begin your journey to finding a quilt maker.

 5. Be careful of what you send.

If there is part of or a side of a T-shirt that you would “just die” if it is in the quilt, cut it out and just don’t send it!  This could save you and your quilter a lot of grief.

Also make sure that the items you send belong in that quilt. We have had customers send T-shirts that had a roommates or sibling’s name on it. Changing a T-shirt quilt after it’s been made is very difficult. And it may result in an additional cost to your quilt.

6. Photocopy your completed order form.

If there is a conflict about what you requested, having the order form will help you determine what happened. 

If the email and physical addresses and phone number of the quilter is not on the order form, print out this information separately.

Here's the link to our order from.

7. Some people choose to photograph the T-shirts they send.

This can be helpful if your quilt turns out too large and you need to remove blocks to make it smaller. 

This also will force you to double check what you are putting in your quilt. One of the biggest issues we have is, “Oh, I didn’t want that shirt in the quilt.”  We ask, "Then why did you send it?" 

Once a quilt is finished, you can’t remove a T-shirt block. The best that we can do is to cover it up.  And honestly, that does not look that good.

8. Get a tracking number on your package and hang onto it.

If you don’t hear from your quilter that they received your box within 24 to 48 hours of its delivery, call them. Don’t sit around worrying.

We always try to email you on the day of your packages arrived.

9. Make sure that e-mails from your quilter don’t end up in your junk mail.

This can cause delays and frustrations.  It helps to print your e-mail address very clearly on the order form.

If you are expecting an email and don’t see it, check you junk mail. If you don’t see it there – call!

10. Try not to micromanage the process.

Some directions are great.  Three pages of typed single spaced directions might be a bit too much!

The more directions and special requests you have, the more you tie the hands of your quilter from creating something awesome with your T-shirts.

Remember, a T-shirt quilt should be a work of art. If you don’t feel like the quilter you have chosen will make a work of art, you might consider finding a quilter that will.

Once your box arrives at your quilter’s shop, I can’t tell you what will happen. It will depend on the quilt maker you choose.

But if you are careful in your planning, your quilt maker should be able to make you a quilt that you want and love.

To learn more about the different types, styles and qualities of T-shirts, download our T-shirt Quilt Buyer’s Guide. 
It’s a great place to begin your journey to finding a quilt maker.

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