What is the Best Interfacing for Tshirt Quilt

Is interfacing required for T-shirt quilts?
No. The usage of interfacing or iron-on backing has become obsolete and superfluous due to new types of T-shirt quilts and developments in sewing machine technology.

What kind of interfacing should I use in a T-shirt quilt?
There will be no interfacing! T-shirt quilt with a double border that’s fun to look at. In 1992, I produced my first T-shirt quilt. The Internet was not what it is today at the time. I couldn’t find any information on “how to make a T-shirt quilt” on Google. As a result, I improvised as I went along.

I didn’t realize there were a lot of “rules” to sewing T-shirt quilts. For example:

Before cutting each T-shirt to its final size, iron-on interfacing should be placed onto it.
The blocks must all be of the same size.
Rows and columns should be used to arrange the blocks.
Cotton sashing is required to separate these rows and columns.
I disobeyed every rule!
I noticed that the graphics on the T-shirts for my first quilt were different sizes when I looked at them. This meant that I’d have to cut blocks of various sizes. My layout would not be in rows and columns if I used different size blocks.

I cut out some little pieces of T-shirt fabric to trial sewing them together before cutting any of the T-shirts. I simply sewed the T-shirts together. There were no issues at all!

I didn’t understand it at the time, but I had skipped the most critical step in the process: iron-on backing. The industry standard was to iron iron-on backing or interfacing onto the backs of T-shirts.

A T-shirt quilt does not require iron-on interfacing.
What is the difference between interfacing and iron-on backing?
Interfacing is a stiffening material that is applied to the backside of a cloth. Materials are stiffened or bulked up by interfacing. It can help knit materials stay in shape by preventing them from stretching out of shape.

Because many varieties of interfacing can be ironed directly onto fabric, it’s also known as iron-on backing. One side of this interfacing is covered with a heat-activated adhesive. The interfacing binds the two fabrics together when ironed on to another piece of fabric.

Interfacing comes in a variety of forms. Some are really hefty and will significantly stiffen fabric. Others are lighter and more flexible, with less rigidity in the fabric. The objective of even the lightest weight interface is to stiffen the fabric to which it is ironed.

If you’re planning to make your own T-shirt quilt, be sure to check out our book, videos, and tools for inspiration. You don’t need to reverse engineer our approach to produce a Too CoolTM T-shirt quilt.
Because I bet you will overlook some crucial measures.

Why were T-shirt quilts constructed using interfacing at first?
This has to do with how early T-shirt quilts were made. We, as a culture, began to accumulate an excessive amount of T-shirts in the late 1980s and early 1990s. T-shirt and silk-screening prices were falling, but the number of events where T-shirts were distributed was increasing. T-shirts have simply become the norm. We were both dressed casually in blue jeans and T-shirts.

800 traditional with sash

Quilt making experienced a revival about the same time. When people first started quilting, they often started with a project called a sampler quilt. Quilters would produce sample blocks from a variety of quilting block patterns, as the name implies. These sample blocks were then pieced together into a quilt, with sashing between the rows and columns.

The material used to separate the rows and columns is called sashing. Sashing can be very tiny (as little as one inch wide) or quite large (three or four inches wide). The sashing in some traditional quilts could be as elaborate as the blocks.

When a quilter was given a stack of T-shirts to turn into a quilt, they immediately thought of the sampler approach. As a result, quilters cut the T-shirts and used the sampler method to create the quilt.

As a result of the marriage of quilting and T-shirts, traditional T-shirt quilts emerged. T-shirt quilts in the traditional style are distinguished by uniformly sized blocks arranged in rows and columns and separated by sashing.

***Note: Too Cool T-shirt Quilts does not produce T-shirt quilts in the conventional form seen here.

There was an issue.
Quilters encountered a problem early on: they couldn’t easily stitch T-shirt material to the typical cotton quilting fabric they were using for the sashing. When they tried to sew a stretchy T-shirt material to non-stretchy cotton, the T-shirt material stretched throughout the stitching process and ended up being longer than the cotton.

The sewing machine technology and experience working with T-shirt material at the time simply did not exist.

stitching (good vs. bad).jpg

Before-1.jpg: Sewing cotton on a t-shirt
A piece of cotton (teal) sashing is ready to be sewed onto a purple piece of T-shirt material in these photographs.

The left side of the second photo depicts what happens without skill, whereas the right sewing machine depicts what happens with expertise. The purple T-shirt cloth has a longer stretch than the teal sashing, which hasn’t.

An skilled quilt maker sews the strip on the appropriate side with the correct sewing machine. This demonstrates that non-stretchy cotton may be stitched on stretchy T-shirt fabric without difficulty.

The Inventive Idea
To stiffen and protect T-shirt material from stretching out of shape, iron-on interfacing was used. It worked, and it became a quilter’s and industry standard solution. I, on the other hand, did not receive that memo!

A New Approach
Sewing-1.jpeg
I didn’t use the iron-on interfacing because I didn’t know what to do with it. Every day, I am grateful.

because of this If I had known how to Google “how to build a T-shirt quilt,” I would have made that first T-shirt quilt along with everyone else.

That new answer was straightforward: don’t use interfacing at all.
This idea succeeded because I created a new method for making a T-shirt quilt that didn’t require cotton sashing. And I was just sewing T-shirt material to T-shirt material without the cotton sashing.

Another option is to look into the history of the sewing machine.
pfaff sewing machine pfaff sewing machine pfaff sewing machine
In the last 30 to 40 years, sewing machine technology has advanced dramatically. Yes, a 50-year-old sewing machine can be used to sew. Those machines, on the other hand, were made for traditional materials like cotton, wool, and denim. They weren’t made to stitch two different kinds of textiles together.

A modern sewing machine, on the other hand, is. A revolutionary sewing machine with computer technology and twin walking feet can easily sew cotton and T-shirt material together. When we make quilts with borders, we do it all the time. All you need to know is how to accomplish it.

And if you want to learn how to do it, you’ll have to put in a lot of practice time and figure it out. Alternatively, you can follow the instructions in my book, How to Make a Too Cool T-shirt Quilt.

Why would someone making a T-shirt quilt want or need to use interfacing?
sewing machine.jpg
Interfacing is no longer required thanks to improved sewing machines, experience sewing with T-shirt material, and new types of T-shirt quilts. So why would a quilter make a T-shirt quilt with it?

Sewing machine from the past
If a quilter uses an ancient sewing machine, she may not be able to stitch T-shirt and cotton fabrics together.
Inexperience
It is critical to have prior experience. Sewing cotton to T-shirt material can be done in a variety of ways. However, all you have to do now is practice.
Habit
Quilt makers, including myself, are not all elderly. However, as you get older, your patterns become more ingrained. It’s far easier to do what you already know how to do than it is to learn something new.
Insufficient knowledge
Quilters who aren’t up to date on the latest technology and methods may not know how to produce a T-shirt quilt any other way.
a reluctance to try a new way
I’m still asked how I can make T-shirt quilts without iron-on interfacing after all these years. This is a question you may have been asking yourself. “Have you tried it?” I respond.
Why is it that a T-shirt quilt doesn’t require interfacing?
3 stained glass quilt in September
Sewing T-shirt material to non-T-shirt material has never been easier thanks to new sewing machine technology. So, even if a quilter is producing typical T-shirt quilts, interfacing isn’t required.

Modern T-shirt quilt styles have also made it unnecessary to use non-T-shirt fabrics in a quilt. T-shirt quilts can be totally fashioned of t-shirt fabric. It’s simple to sew two pieces of T-shirt material together.

Why should you refrain from using interfacing in your quilt?
Your quilt will be stiffer and less soft with interfacing than one produced without it.
A quilter who uses interfacing is out of touch with current technology and procedures, or is trapped with an outdated solution.
The cost of your quilt will be higher if you use interfacing.
You’re not going to get the best quilt.
It’s simply unnecessary.
Conclusion
It is not necessary to use interfacing or iron-on backing when making T-shirt quilts. Because of advancements in sewing machine technology and new T-shirt quilt patterns, the way T-shirt quilts are manufactured has evolved.

Consider updating your skills, equipment, and quilt style if you are a quilt maker. More information can be found here.

Find a quilt maker who does not use interfacing if you want a quilt created from your T-shirts. Here’s where you can learn more about how to discover a quilt maker.

For t-shirt quilts, there is no single optimum interfacing. It is dependent on the type of quilt and the level of softness desired. The backs of some people’s t-shirts are not interfaced. This is a matter of personal preference. I chose to interface my quilt because, in my opinion, it makes it a little sturdier and simpler to machine quilt.

Try Pellon 906 nonwoven fusible interfacing with a bamboo blend batting for a super-soft, drapey quilt.

With a cotton or cotton-blend batting, a fusible knit or 100 percent cotton woven fusible interfacing is a fantastic choice for most t-shirt quilts.

Try Pellon 911 nonwoven fusible interfacing if you prefer things a little firmer. Use batting that is either cotton or poly. Even though I use 100% cotton fusible on the rest of the shirts, I use the Pellon 911 with flimsy knit t-shirts. I also make wall hangings with the Pellon 911. It improves the sturdiness of the product. This specific interfacing is mentioned in the Missouri Quilt Company’s t-shirt quilt making video.

In the end, I already have Pellon 906FF and 911FF bolts on hand. When I see the SF-101 on sale for 50% off, I’ll be adding a bolt to my stash.

You might be wondering why the cost of interface is so important. Consider that each t-shirt requires 1/3 to 1/2 yard of interfacing. On a full-size mosaic t-shirt quilt, I used roughly 15 yards of interfacing (or my version of the Tool Cool T-Shirt quilt).

Fashion Fuse 15 yards at $6.59 per yard = $98.85

SF-101 Pellon 15 yards on sale for $2.75 per yard = $41.85 (retail price is $5.49 per yard).

Every day, the Pellon 911FF costs $2.25 per yard, making it even less than the woven SF-101 on sale. That same 15 yards of interfacing costs less than $20.00 when it’s on sale.

In the end, the sort of interfacing you choose is determined by the project, the recipient, and your budget. You can save at least 50% on your interfacing by careful buying and brand substitution.

One reason we all love wearing t-shirts is because they are made from such soft, stretchy knit fabric. When it comes to making t-shirt quilts, though, their stretchiness poses a problem. The same give that makes t-shirts so comfortable also makes them get distorted and wonky if you sew them without preparing them in advance. Being a lazy quilter, I have actually tried this, and the end result isn’t pretty.

That’s why you need to stabilize your shirts before you use them in a quilt or any other sewing project. You do this by applying a fusible backing to the t-shirt fabric. The backing helps the shirt hold its shape while you cut and sew it. The softer and more worn a t-shirt is, the more it needs stabilizing before you try to sew with it.

Steps in T-Shirt Quilting

Making a t-shirt quilt involves four steps:

1. Deciding on a design.
2. Getting the shirts ready to quilt.
3. Sewing the quilt top together.
4. Quilting and finishing the completed quilt top.

This post covers Step 2, how to prepare the shirts for t-shirt quilting.

Supply List

Here’s what you will need:

• Light-weight, iron-on interfacing such as Pellon 911FF featherweight or Therm-o-Web Heat’n Bond. Either woven or non-woven interfacing will work fine.
  Interfacing update from reader Sandy Shula: “Just from my own personal experience, I like to use Pellon P44F for colored T’s and 911 FF on very thin, polyester, or white shirts. I found the SF101 to add too much weight on larger quilts and it bubbled on me after washing. This also saves on interfacing cost since there can be a lot of waste depending on the size of your shirt blocks.”
• A press cloth you can dampen for pressing the fusible interfacing to the t-shirts.
• Rotary cutter
• Steam iron
• Ironing board or ironing surface

How to Stabilize T-Shirts for T-Shirt Quilting

How to Stabilize T-Shirts for T-Shirt Quiltinghttps://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.503.0_en.html#goog_1464986386[Advertisement] Your video will begin shortly: 0:03Skip Ad 

Step by Step Stabilizing Instructions

1. Use a rotary cutter to cut the t-shirt up both sides, along the shoulder seams, just below the neck band, and above the hem.Try to leave plenty of room around the image for open space and seam allowances.If you plan to cut a lot of t-shirts into the same shape, you may want to make a cardboard template that is the size and shape you want.  That will speed up the cutting.
2. Cut a square of stabilizer just a touch smaller than the cut t-shirt. I cut my interfacing a bit smaller instead of exactly the same size as the t-shirt so I don’t accidentally melt glue onto my iron when I press them together.https://cae6ee063cf9c5b5041aaf50b603975b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
3. Lay the image part of the t-shirt on your ironing surface, right side down.
4. Lay the stabilizer square with its glue side (the rougher side) of the interfacing against the reverse side of the t-shirt image.  Update from reader Marilyn, who has made many t-shirt quilts and taught t-shirt quilting: “Super Lightweight interfacing is great as it adds no bulk, but there is some stretch to it one-way. T-shirts stretch one way. To lock the stretch out and make the t-shirt stable like any other quilt fabric you need to turn the stretch of the interfacing opposite (90 degree) to the stretch of the t-shirt.”
5. Cover the whole thing with a damp press cloth to avoid melting the inks or any rubberized parts of the t-shirt image. In the photo below, I just dampened a piece of cotton batting I had lying around. I have also used a purchased silicone pressing sheet and part of a t-shirt as press cloths.https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.503.0_en.html#goog_1310431753
6. Read the interfacing manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you have the right temperature and steam settings before you put that hot iron on the interfacing. Because once you do that, you’re committed!
7. Press the interfacing to the t-shirt. Use firm pressure and hold the iron steady for 10-15 seconds in each spot to make sure the interfacing and t-shirt are thoroughly fused together. Overlap the pressing areas to make sure you cover all parts of the image.
8. Here’s what the stabilized t-shirt looks like with the interfacing fused to its back side. The t-shirt will now hold its shape as you sew, trim, and quilt it.

What if I Need A Bigger T-shirt Area?

The image on some t-shirts is very close to the neck band. Sometimes this doesn’t leave you enough room to make a quilt block as large as you want it to be. If this happens to you, consider cutting fabric from the bottom of the t-shirt, stabilizing it as shown above, and sewing the extra fabric to the area where you’re short. Sew the pieces with right sides together and use a 1/4″ quilter’s seam.

You can add extra fabric on the top of the image area, on the sides, or all around. When the quilt is complete, no one will ever notice!←Previous post