This fall/winter I have set a goal for myself to finish a project that I have wanted to do for so so long! I started to collect a lot of t-shirts over the years and I have just stored them away. I did wear them for as long as I could, but I eventually grew out of them. I then thought it would be a great thing to collect these shirts and make a T-shirt Quilt. This way they wouldn't be just in storage. I could keep the shirts and their memories. I had to eventually add more t-shirts to what I had, so I could build the Queen size quilt that I wanted.
This was a very large quilt and it was so much fun to do! It took me about 1.5 to 2 weeks to finish. with about 5-6 hours each day. It all started with me having to cut each shirt into about an 14x14 inch squares, a Total of 25 shirts. I did use some front and back of some shirts. After cutting up all the squares I put an adhesive backing on to the t-shirts. This way it would be more stable and easier to sew. After cutting the shirts, I then had to go and buy all the fabric. The color scheme that I had chose for the blanket is a black and baby blue Mix. The black and baby blue mix has always been my favorite color combination. To me, it just works well with each other. It compliments and brings out the dark and the light. To me it is very calming with each other.
I went to Jo-Ann fabrics, and luckily enough they had a sale going on. I was able to purchase about $80 worth of fabric for only $60. Once I bought the fabric, I had cut up all the pieces up into each size that I needed. I'm glad I did this first. When it got to sewing, I just sewed. I did not have to cut and then sew. I also ordered a batting, which is a piece of cotton that is put between the front and the back of the quilt to help make the blanket warm. I did a lot of research and a lot of people advised that the Natural and Warm brand was a very good one. I agree that it was very easy to work with, and it does keep me really warm. I was surprised how warm it stays and yet how light it is. This batting cost me about $20. Originally it can cost about 40-50$. Thanks to a friend of mine, who helped me order it, shipping was free on Amazon!
Next I was able to borrow a wonderful friend of mine, who is my second mom, sewing machine. Once I got the sewing machine and started pushing that fabric through, it went so quick! It makes the entire process so much easier and quick. I admit I got a little addicted with sewing fabric together and making my t-shirt quilt. In addition to the pictures that were already on the t-shirts, I also added a few of my own. I bought a packet of about 5 sheets, that were fabric transfer. I picked a few pictures that would fill in blank spots. Printed them on the fabric transfer and ironed the pictures on. Some examples are the pictures of the musicals that I like, and some Cancun pictures. After all the long hours, I finally completed my quilt and here are pictures of my final product. I hope you like it as much as I do!
I have to say, some of the hardest parts of putting this together, was getting all the measurements correct, putting the front and backs together, and tying the blanket all together. I also advise to have a lot of space, enough to lay your quilt flat. That will help with aligning everything together. Always allow for a little extra batting on each side because you can always cut it down. When selecting fabric wait to shop with coupons, and try to search for cheaper alternatives to the fabric you are buying. For example, if it is a premium quilting fabric being sold at 9.99 per yard, see if there is a cheaper one for a less price. I had to do that. The lower priced fabric felt and looked the same at only 4.99 a yard. Money saver.
Quilt completed: 12/03/14.
Let me know what you think!
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The tutorial that I used was: http://quiltfinger.hubpages.com/hub/tshirtquiltquiltfinger
Today's music selection is my Favorite Miao/Chinese Singer. I just love the vocal clarity, range and the vocal talent Lei Ayouduo has. Very clean, crisp, ethnic and so traditional, yet so powerful and truly vocal beauty to my ears. She has a lot of different vocal timbres and she really shows you her skills in all her songs.
Here is a link to her bio, as it does the best in explaining more about her life. http://www.cnr.cn/2008zt/hjcd/csmp/gz/qxp/200803/t20080325_504744921.html
Listen to the selection below. You'll see why I love her singing and her talent so much. I know you may not understand her too, but some videos do have translations. I also don't understand her because this is the Miao language. I do still enjoy her singing just based solely on the singing and music. If she is able to capture someone just based on that, then you know she is good. Plus she is a very beautiful person too.
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KaiQaib
KaiQaib
Hi Kai!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt looks amazing! I like how you borrowed and used bargains to preserve all those memories. I'm looking forward to future posts!
Take care,
Nicole
Thanks Nicole!!
DeleteKaiQaib!