T-Shirt Quilt Instructions–How to Sew T-Shirt Frame Blocks

Jun 19, 2010
Christine Mann

T-Shirt Frame Quilt Block - Photo by Christine Mann

Show off the t-shirts in a memory quilt by framing them in an easy Log Cabin quilt block that makes a great-looking quilt and can be strip pieced for speed.

A simple frame of quilt fabric is all it takes to turn a pile of mismatched t-shirts into a memory quilt block that looks good and is easy to assemble into a quilt, with no need for sashing. The t-shirt frame block is a variation on the Around the Hearth Log Cabin block, and it can be strip pieced for fast assembly. Learn how to make it in this article.

Tools and Supplies for T-Shirt Quilt Frame Blocks

The tools and supplies needed to make quilts from t-shirts can be found in just about any sewing room. You will need some additional supplies to stabilize the t-shirts for quilting.

Cutting mat
See-through, no-slip 24” cutting ruler
Rotary cutter
T-shirts (at least eight to make a lap sized quilt)
Quilt fabric, cut into 2½” wide strips the full width of the fabric. You can either use one color or frame each t-shirt in a different color of frame fabric.
All-purpose or 100% cotton quilting thread in a neutral color such as beige or grey
Sewing machine
(Optional) 1/4" quilting foot for the sewing machine

Step-by-Step Instructions for Piecing T-Shirt Frame Blocks

The photos at the bottom of the page give a visual guide to this technique. Click on any photo to enlarge it. Here's how to frame a t-shirt in a square quilt block:

First, stabilize and cut the t-shirts for piecing. To make a 12½” finished t-shirt block, cut the shirts into an 8½” square. If the t-shirt images are bigger than 8½”, simply cut them into larger squares. For larger blocks, you will also need to cut more frame fabric strips. The larger the t-shirt squares, the more strips you will need.
Cut the frame fabric strips.
Stack the stabilized t-shirt squares and fabric strips into two piles for sewing. If you’re using more than one color of frame fabric, stack each color in a separate pile. Only use one frame color for each t-shirt.
Lay a t-shirt square over a frame strip, with right sides together, as shown in Photo 2 below. Align the right edges, then sew the shirt to the strip with a scant ¼” seam. When you reach the end of the first t-shirt, chain piece the next shirt onto the same strip until the whole stack of shirts has been sewn.
Cut the blocks apart and trim them with a rotary cutter and ruler, as shown in Photo 3 below.
Lay the opposite side of the t-shirt over another framing strip, with right sides together. Sew the shirt and strips together as described in step 3 above.
Cut the blocks apart, trim, and press the seams toward the strips, as shown in Photo 4 below.
Stitch the top and bottom of each square to the frame fabric strips in the same way you sewed the side strips. After adding each set of strips, cut the blocks apart and square them with the rotary cutter and ruler. Press the seams toward the frame fabric.

The blocks are now ready to sew together into a memory quilt top.