DB Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I have just been asked to make a couple of quilts for someone, my neighbor's grandchildren ages 6 and 8 for Christmas. I had actually offered this service, their dad, my neighbor's son passed away this summer. I offered to make the kids quilts from their dad's clothes and yesterday received some of his t-shirts that were either special to him or have significance to the kids. My question is this, I have never worked with t-shirts, is there a stablizer that is better than another one? Are there any special tricks to using the stablizer? I don't want to botch this up as they can't be replaced. Dianne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I have used the tricot (knit) stabilizer with great success - quilts easily and stays soft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sspingler Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I use the cheap light weight fusible from Joann's. Make sure you press the stretch in the opposite way from the tshirts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I have been using Pellon SF101 for a few years now which is up to $4.99 a yard at JoAnn's, but if you use a 40% off coupon, it really helps. I just bought a bolt of it last week and was shocked that it went from $3.49 to $4.99 in a month! I guess it was the new shipment that was delivered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmiequilts Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 I use Stacy Shape Flex, it's a Pellon product and is a knit so that it stretches with the shirts instead of tearing like some of the non-woven stabilizers. The only t-shirt quilts that I've ever seen messed up used a cheap iron on non-woven which tore every time I moved the quilt to quilt it, it was so tight and thin. Just a shame! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 OK, so this might so silly, but I have never used any of these products. Do I just iron the t-shirts to the Pellon/Tricot product and then use the t-shirt fabric the way I would use regular quilting fabric for piecing and quilting? Or do I have to still iron the t-shirt/Pellon combo onto something else? Do some of these products stretch? Isn't that something I want to stop from happening? When I agreed to this project I was dreading getting T-shirts but this seems to be what he wore when he hung out with his kids. I do want this to come out nice for them. Thanks for everyone's imput, I really appreciate it, I always consider this the best source of quilting info. Dianne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna sco Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 I cut out the t-shirt design a couple of inches bigger than I want the block and then fuse it following the instructions that come with the fusible. I have used the lightweight woven fusible. Trim your block and you are ready to stitch together in whatever pattern you have chosen. I think most quilters use a fairly open quilting pattern. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 I treat the tricot stabilizer like any other stabilizer : cut my T-shirt block bigger than needed, apply the stabilizer with the greater stretch going the opposite direction as the greater stretch of the T-shirt per manufacturers directions. Then I cut my block to size and sew like normal. It does add weight to the quilt, but stays soft - drapes well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cblevins Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 reported Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyn Heilman Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 I have used all the stabilizers mentioned with success. The one trick I have found is to wash and dry the shirts before cutting without any fabric softener or dryer sheets. The fusible adheres much better this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cblevins Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Thanks for the tip Lynn. I have just ordered a bolt of Pellon Shape Flex 101 woven cotton fusible from CHECKERS for $2.48 a yard. I believe there is 25 yards on it but it is a great price. I had better get a LOT of t shirt quilt orders! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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