Four levels of T-shirt quilt making…
- The Novice Quilter
- The Intermediate Quilter
- The Advanced Quilter
- The Expert Quilter
Just about any one can make a T-shirt quilt, but very few can actually do it well.
They are your T-shirts and they are important to you. They tell an important story about you. Don’t just choose a T-shirt quilt maker without doing some research.
Quilters all have to begin sometime. I began making quilts 47 years ago when I was 5 years old. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making a quilt. Some quilters begin making quilts when her children are born or when the kids leave home because they are looking for something to do. And quilting is a great pastime to work at.
The question is, how skilled do you want your quilt maker to be? Below are four levels of quilt making…
The Novice Quilter
A novice quilter’s experience making quilts of any type is limited. She may have gained her knowledge by taking a class, reading a book or watching a video. A novice is expected to need help and guidance making a quilt. Her focus is learning the basics of quilt making.
The Intermediate Quilter
The intermediate quilter knows the basics and can usually make a quilt independently. Advice and help from an expert is still needed from time to time. Her focus is on learning more of the basics and improving her knowledge and skills.
The Advanced Quilter
The advanced quilter can make a quilt without assistance. They have made enough quilts that they can apply theory to unique problems that arise. The advanced quilter focuses on teaching and developing new styles and applications.
The Expert Quilter
The expert quilter is known as an expert in her specific area of quilting. She has been making quilts for years and has experienced and solved just about every conceivable issue that arises. She can provide guidance, troubleshooting and answers to questions related to her area of expertise.
If they were my T-shirts, I would want an advanced or expert quilter to work on them. This is especially true if there are any unique items or special issues with the group of T-shirts you want made into a quilt.
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.
So ask your quilter the following questions to see what level of quilter they are…
How many T-shirt quilts have you made?- How many years have you been making quilts?
- Is quilting your full time job or a hobby?
- Can I see a T-shirt quilt you have made? Here is an article on how to tell the quality of a T-shirt quilt from a photograph.
- What quality of materials do you use? The more skilled the quilter, the better quality materials they will use. Read more about quality materials here.
- If you have a special item you want used, ask to see a photograph of another quilt with a similar item used.
Is your shop or home smoke free?- How many quilts do you have going at any one time and how do you insure that my T-shirts won’t get mixed up with another quilts?
- Do you make the entire quilt from beginning to finish? Some quilters will only make part of the quilt and then send the quilt to another company to be finished. Think about the care, control and custody of your T-shirts
- Do you have a long-arm quilting machine? If not, how do you quilt your quilts?
There is more to making a T-shirt quilt than you might think. If your T-shirts are important to you, put consideration into your choice of T-shirt quilt makers. Strive to find the most experienced quilter you can to make your quilt.
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.
