LadyLake Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 This is the first, and probably the last, t-shirt quilt I have made (took me 2 years). My niece asked me to make it for her, out of the many concert t-shirts she had. She has a country rock concert t-shirt collection to die for and I like how it turned out, but never again. I have developed a healthy respect for you longarmers that specialize in making t-shirt quilts (Sylvia). Thanks for looking! P.S. Even though I'm not a heavy rocker, spending time up front and personal with a photo of Brett Michaels was not an unpleasant experience...:P:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted September 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 closeup of quilting -- I thought swirls would be just the ticket for this quilt, but somehow they seem a bit informal for the rockin' t-shirts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachside Quilter Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 Nice job, Joan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 Ohhhhhhh I like, I like!!! The black background makes for a dramatic look!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 that turned out cool I like the staggered layout contrast between light and dark backgrounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srichardson Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 Neat quilt. I think it turned out well even if you did find it a pain. I have a bag full of T shirts that I hope to do something with someday! Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 That came out great Joan. I'm sure your niece will love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltinchicks Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 I think it looks great! I wouldn't mind staring at Brett Michaels either lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyT Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 Don't give up on t-shirt quilts as you did a terrific job on this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaLKB Posted September 3, 2011 Report Share Posted September 3, 2011 That looks great.............I like the layout and the black really sets it off............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Joan, What did you use for the backing?? And did you use parts of the t shirts for the top and bottom border? I really like this layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oma Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 This is the prettiest and classiest t-shirt quilt I have ever seen. I love it. Beautiful job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted September 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Originally posted by LibbyG Joan, What did you use for the backing?? And did you use parts of the t shirts for the top and bottom border? I really like this layout. I used Kona Black Cotton fabric on the side borders and to fill in between tshirts where needed. I used a batik for the backing (photo attached). My niece's favorite color is lavendar, so this batik works well, including the fact that it is both lavendar and has secondary gold and teal colors which picked up the tshirt colors well, especially Reba's signature purple. This quilt will be reversible -- as I love how the back looks with the black binding. And, yes, I cut up some of the tshirt backs for the top and bottom border. My original plan was to have one row of 3" wide cut-up backs around the quilt as a border, but it still wasn't wide enough. I decided to add a 3" wide row of the Kona black cotton, but it didn't look right. So, I switched the borders to be double wide on top and bottom, and put the Kona on the sides. Arranging the light/dark/colored tshirts was the challenge, but when done it worked well. She had a white tshirt of Lucille Ball, as well, but Lucille in death, as well as life, wanted to dominate the whole scene, so I left her out. I'm going to recommend that she be framed and put up on the bedroom wall. I used Quilters Dream Cotton Select for the batt. I wanted to use QD Poly, but did not have a batt wide enough in stock. One thing nice about QD cotton, is that even though the batt was 93 x 121, and my quilt was 95 x 111, I was still able to use the batt. They make them wider than stated -- it was actually about 97" wide and perfect. I was surprised at how much the quilting pulled in the batt length, however -- probably took up about 4" as compared to 1-1/2 to 2" that is usually the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted September 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Okay, last thing. I used King Tut #902 'Stone Age', which I always thought of as black and grey. It turns out it is deep blue and grey -- a beautiful color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connieb Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 I love how your quilt turned out. I am scared to attempt one of these. Although I am saving my husbands old Harley Davidson shirts, so maybe someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 It really turned out great! The black background really enhances all of the shirts and the batik backing is very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainquilter Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Beautiful quilt! Lucky niece to have seen so many concerts. Once I was able to get tickets to see the BOSS! My daughter said it was to dangerous for me to go alone so I had to buy her a ticket also. I didn't think she would enjoy it but she was a rockin along with me. That was heaven and I was so glad to have seen Clarence at the same time. Diana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmilner Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 I hope your niece loves and treasures this fantastic quilt that Auntie Joan made her! I'll bet she keeps is forever! What a great job Joan, this quilt is really an inspiration to try a T-shirt quilt. Thanks for all the details! Donna APQS Liberty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Joan, every decision you made on this quilt was the correct one!!! You may not make these all the time but it surely looks as if you do. I guess it is just the artist coming out in you!!! One thing I do when I have a "left over" T, I put it on the back. Here is where I put it: Put the quilt on the bed and turn back the top as if going to get into bed. At the top right I put the T so it can be seen with the top folded back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 That came out really nicely. I'm with you, I am not a fan of T-shirt quilts. Many folks like them and that's all well and good, but I had two as my first quilts to do when I entered the business and I hated every minute of them. Your quilt is beautiful and I know she will really enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenquilts Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Why did you hate it. I made a t-shirt quilt top that I will long arm when I get a machine and some experience. Is it way more difficult and tempermental? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne from Guam Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Tshirt quilts are so great! I like knowing that the owner loves these Tshirts so that no matter how you put it together, they just love how it looks. This quilt is a real winner! Sometimes it can be a bit of a puzzle as to the arrangement of the blocks and deciding what size block to cut out from the tshirt front--I think that's why some people hate making them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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