...one thing that i still know is that you're keeping me down...

[myurbandream]

so... i may be a little crazy.

i've decided to make a t-shirt quilt this summer. (oh, yeah, btw - DONE with the semester! woot!) i have a lot of tshirts - far more than i really need - and some of them i want to keep but i don't really wear them anymore. so i've had in mind for a while now to make a quilt out of them.

for the record, the extent of my sewing experience is the occasional patch to clothes, and cosplay work. i can use a sewing machine, but just barely.

so, from what i've learned so far from some online reading....

http://www.tshirtquilt.com/t-shirt-quilt.htm
http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/teequilts_layout.html
http://quiltbug.com/articles/Tshirt-quilts.htm
http://www.toocooltshirtquilts.com/Sorority%20KAO%20T-shirt%20Quilt%20front%20small.jpg
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/7394/how-to-make-a-t-shirt-quilt
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/5832/to-tie-or-not-to-tie
http://www.quiltsmart.com/Pages/completing_your_quilt.htm

...these are the basic steps i'm setting myself up for: (and the first thing to do is find a sewing machine!)

1 - decide which tshirts to use; count how many there are and how many designs they have
2 - decide on what material/colour to use for border and backing; decide on what material to use for batting, if any; find the right type of fusible interfacing
3 - get supplies: sewing machine, needles and thread, scissors, backing, batting, interfacing
4 - determine a layout
5 - cut the tshirts (leave lots of extra width around the edges)
6 - iron the interface to the tshirt pieces
7 - lay out all the pieces and sew them together: first in columns, then the columns together
8 - lay the batting and backing with the top piece and make wide hand stitches through all three layers for the ties; cut the stitches on the back side and tie the threads off
9 - sew the edges together (i'm massively simplifying this step from how i'm supposed to do it, but i think i'd rather cheat and spare myself the work)
10 - sew on the border pieces

...this is going to take some time. *facepalm*

ETA: allison (who is about two steps away from being a sister-in-law and is really cool besides) has told me that if i use jersey for the backing then i don't have to mess with the interfacing at all. yay! but this means i can't use cotton for the backing OR the batting OR the borders, so i'll have to keep that in mind.

Comments

[catc10.livejournal.com]

But then WHEN will you have time to read fanfic?! *tragedy*
ME

[jen-chan13.livejournal.com]

um..... sometimes? i dunno. i also am working at least part-time, and i want to read some more books from the architecture library, and i still have a few large things (cleaning the office, thank-you cards...) to do as well. the quilt is my free-time thing, something that i can do while catching up on supernatural and doctor who - admirable goals, y/y? but i'm kinda overloading myself this summer, maybe at least 5% intentionally on purpose so that i don't read fanfic. *hides*

[nzthepirate.livejournal.com]

if you want someone to give it to, i know a cousin of yours who would be interested... ;)

sounds like a super idea!

i took a bunch of t-shirts my old roommate had and made a giant stuffed whale pillow. :D

[jen-chan13.livejournal.com]

WHALE PILLOW. this i have to see. :D

[zaphod-groupie.livejournal.com]

If you just wanted to come over and utilize my cutting table, sewing gadgets and sewing machine, you're more than welcome sweetie. I, too, am working on a tshirt quilt, want to have a work day?

[jen-chan13.livejournal.com]

YESSSSSSSSSSS. *hugs you* are you at your parents' place over the summer?

[zaphod-groupie.livejournal.com]

Nope, I'm still in my apartment--610 and buffalo speedway, in the med center. Let me know when works for you : )