T-shirt Quilts

Step 3: Cutting the Shirts

Use scissors or a rotary cutter to get rid of the bulk of the T-shirt.  Cut up the sides of the shirt, around the armhole, and across the neckline. This will separate the usable  "design" portion from the rest of the material.  This is only the first "rough" cut so don't worry about being too precise and DON'T over trim.   Just remember to keep plenty of material at the corners of your block and all excess material around the design can always be trimmed later if you determine you do not need it.  Once the final measurements are determined, the blocks will need 90 degree corners with the design centered and enough room around the edges for seam allowance.

You will be amazed how this step whittles down your pile of T-shirts to a manageable size and allows you to get a better idea of the various dimensions of your T-shirt "designs".  Start to notice and separate into piles those "designs" that are of common dimensions.  Big, wide prints into one pile, narrow and long into another, small pocket prints together... inevitably you will still divide these piles further based on true measurements, but for now just start organizing. The number of T-shirt quilt blocks available will be the primary factor in determining the final dimensions of your quilt.

When all your T-shirts are cut into "rough" blocks and organized by size, consider what you actually have...you will need to create complete vertical strips of the same width that travel the desired length and width of your envisioned finished T-shirt quilt.  Blocks with designs of large dimensions cannot be made smaller without loosing some of the design.  But, smaller design areas can be made into larger blocks by allowing more material to encircle the design.