Best fabrics and shirt types for your t-shirt quilt

Whether you're making one at home or sending it to MemoryStitch, here's some general guidelines for the best materials and shirt types!
Making T-shirt quilts is lots of fun, but sometimes the materials create lots of problems. To create an awesome experience and the most snuggly quilt, below are our recommendations.
Best Materials
Of course our focus is t-shirts, but there are so many other types of shirts and fabrics you can use in your t-shirt quilts.
You can use polos, sweatshirts, scrubs, and jerseys! You can also use button down shirts and shirts with zippers - these can add a really interesting and unique look to your quilt! Other materials are fleece, flannel, polyester, and dri-fit materials.
You can use tank tops and v-necks too, but please note that these materials may require a little extra sewing if you have to back them to make sure they fit your desired panel size.
Want to include an item that isn't a shirt at all? You might still be able to use it! Measure the item to see if you can get enough material in a block for your desired panel size.
Materials that are difficult to work with
- Canvas and Denim
- Down and Knitted Items
- Leather, Lycra, and Silk
- Letter Jackets
If you're making something at home and feel confident about using these materials, give it a try! With the right needle and some patience, you might be able to get it to work.
If you're sending your shirts off to MemoryStitch, please do not send in materials that are extremely difficult to work with. If you have an item that isn't listed here, feel free to call us and ask! Maybe we haven't used it before, but we'd love to give it a try!
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4 comments
Hi My mom recently passed away and she had alot of I guess they call it moo-moos does that material work?she was not really a t shirt person but would love a quilt to be made. Please let know. Thank you
I started putting a backing on my t shirt squares can you use those
If I wanted to use sashing on a tshirt quilt what fabric do you recommend to use and should the sashing be interfaced also. Beautiful examples. Thank you
Hi! Can you use bandanas as well?
Thank you.