Quilting Process
Determining Layout of a Memory Quilt
Once I receive your order form, and your stack of t-shirts, hankies, ties, pageant sashes, or even baby items, I lay out the quilt to determine colors and shape of blocks. If the quilt is for a person going off to college, it is fun to use the college's colors in the t-quilt. If the t-shirt quilt is a Memorial quilt it is nice to use the person's favorite colors. Or, I can use colors that compliment the quilt blocks. Once I have an idea of what I want the quilt to look like. I cut every t-shirt.
Molly in Action Making T-Shirt Quilts
Cutting and Interfacing the blocks
I cut the sides of the shirt to separate the front and the back, and I cut the sleeves and collar off. Then, I cut every t-shirt into the appropriate size block using a quilt template. These cuts must be exact.Interfacing is then applied to the back of each t-shirt block to stabilize the knit fabric. All of your t-shirts and blocks are kept safely in a bin labeled with your name.
Sewing the Modern t-shirt quilt
The blocks are positioned out again. For the Modern quilt, I make 7 rows of blocks-3 rows with large blocks, 4 rows with smaller blocks. I continue to arrange the blocks. I make additional blocks where necessary from the t-shirts that remain. I sew each row together until the quilt is complete. 100% cotton batting and backing is added to the quilt. Finally, the quilt is bound.
Sewing the Traditional t-shirt quilt
All sashing shapes are cut from 100% cotton fabric. There are 120 different shapes that I cut and sew together. I make 4 rows of t-shirt blocks, and 5 rows of sashing. The sashing rows are sewed to the t-shirt rows until the quilt is all sewn together.100% cotton batting and the backing that you selected are then cut and basted to the quilt. Machine quilting is done, and then the entire quilt is bound.
Long Arm Quilting
This is what sets my quilts apart from Memory Blankets. Every one of my quilts are expertly long armed. This process makes the quilt a true quilt.A choice of three stitches is offered This long arm quilting is done through out the entire quilt. This stitching is needed due to the weight of the large quilts. It really gives the quilt a finished look. You can see more pictures of this in my Photo albums link above Below is the meander Stitch.
Or, a wonderful swirling stitch can be used. The stitching is done through out the entire quilt. This stitching is needed due to the weight of the large quilts. You get to choose which style of stitching. You can see more pictures of this in my Photo albums link above.
Binding the t-shirt Quilt
This is the final stage. The quilt is bound using the same fabric that is used for the backing. Below is 320 inches of binding ready to be sewn on a quilt! I make all of the binding that I use. The binding "frames" the quilt. Blankets do not have binding.
A Completed Memory Quilt
It takes about 10-12 weeks to make a quilt.
