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Not all T-shirt quilts are made the same way. The style, construction, materials, price and even what you have to do to your T-shirts before sending them can vary dramatically from one company to another.
This guide will walk you through the decisions you should make before choosing a T-shirt quilt company. You’ll learn what to look for, what questions to ask and which options matter to you.
You don’t need to read everything at once. Start with the topics that matter most to you, or follow the guide from beginning to end.
Table of Contents
Is a T-shirt Quilt Worth It?
What Are You Really Buying?
How Much Does a T-shirt Quilt Cost?
How Do T-shirt Quilt Companies Compare?
What Style of T-shirt Quilt Do You Want?
What Can You Put in a T-shirt Quilt?
How Many T-shirts Do You Need?
What Can Your Finished Quilt Look Like?
What Happens When You’re Ready to Order?
T-shirt quilts can vary a lot in price, construction and quality. Whether one is worth the cost depends on what you want from the finished quilt, how important the T-shirts are to you, and how the quilt is made.
A T-shirt quilt can be worth it when the shirts matter to you, the finished quilt is something you will actually use, and the quality and construction match what you are paying.
The bigger question is not whether T-shirt quilts are worth it in general. It is whether the type of T-shirt quilt you are considering is worth it for you.
A T-shirt quilt and a T-shirt blanket are not the same thing. Really!
A T-shirt quilt has three layers: your T-shirts, batting and backing. Those layers are held together with quilting stitches and the outside edge is finished with binding.
A T-shirt blanket has two layers, T-shirts on the front and fleece or another fabric on the back, without quilting holding the layers together.
That difference affects durability, feel, price and how long the finished product will last.
Before you start comparing companies or prices, make sure you know which one you really want.
Compare a Too Cool quilt and a Project Repat blanket.
T-shirt quilt or blanket prices can range from under $100 for a basic fleece-backed blanket to more than $3,000 for a large, highly customized quilt.
There’s a reason for that huge range. Companies are not always selling the same type of product. Size, quilt style, materials, quilting and the amount of custom work involved can all affect the final price.
Before comparing prices, make sure you are comparing the same type of product and understand what is included. A low advertised price can look a lot less impressive once you start adding extra charges.
T-shirt quilt companies can look similar at first glance, but their finished products can be very different.
Some companies make fleece-backed blankets. Some make traditional quilts with fixed-size blocks. Others use variable-size blocks that allow larger graphics to stay intact. You may also find differences in whether you have to cut your own shirts, whether interfacing is used, what fabrics can be included and how much customization is available.
Before choosing a company, compare more than just price. Look at how the quilt is constructed, how your T-shirt graphics will be handled and what work you are expected to do before sending your shirts.
T-shirt quilts do not all have to look alike.
Some are made with traditional rows of same-size blocks. Others use different-size blocks, stained-glass designs, double-sided layouts or more modern styles that barely look like T-shirt quilts at all.
The style you choose affects how your T-shirts are arranged, how much of each graphic can be used and the overall look of the finished quilt.
Take a look at the different styles available and see what feels right for your T-shirts.
T-shirts are the starting point, but you don't have to stop there!
Depending on the company and the style of quilt, you may be able to include sweatshirts, jerseys, race bibs, patches, uniforms, baby clothes and other machine-washable fabrics. Some quilt makers can also work with much more unusual items.
Before you decide what goes in your quilt or not, take another look. You may have more options than you think.
Yes, you can use sweatshirts!
There isn’t one set number of T-shirts needed to make a quilt.
How many you need depends on the size of quilt you want, the size of the graphics on your shirts and the style of quilt you choose. Large graphics take up more space, while smaller graphics usually mean you will need more shirts.
Use a T-shirt quantity chart as a starting point, not a hard rule. It will give you a good idea of how many shirts you may need for the size quilt you have in mind.
Once you’re ready to move forward, the process should be pretty simple.
You choose the type of quilt you want, send in your T-shirts and other items, and the quilt maker takes it from there. The exact process will vary by company, so it’s worth understanding what you need to do before sending your shirts, how the size and design are determined, and whether you will get a chance to approve anything before the quilt is made.
Knowing what to expect makes the whole process a lot easier.
