I'd like try making a quilt out of 15" sweatshirt blocks. Any tips for keeping the seams from being too bulky? (I've never made a quilt before, but this idea seems like a simple way to start - big blocks, no pattern. Any speed bumps I should watch for?
by 
JodyMae
ANSWERS: 3
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All the sites with instructions on how to make a quilt using sweat shirts seem to say you have to cut the front off the shirt and use just that single piece. The same for t-shirts. To keep them from stretching out of shape, you should iron on some thin lining before you even cut out the block. On mine, I layed the block flat, and stitched a strip of hem binding all around the edges, then all I sew is the hem binding together, instead stitching on the shirt pieces. My friend sewed 12" blocks to 15" muslin, and then sewed them together. The shirt blocks were sewn flat onto the muslin with a decorative embroidery stitch.
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I suggest making the seams bulky on purpose - do the whole thing inside out, that is, sew it so that the right-side of the fabric is facing out, but so is the seam. Make your seams extra large, say 1/2 an inch, and do a very good one, maybe even two. Then the fabric will fray and it will look very neat and be soft and interesting as well. Otherwise, if you are set on neat, not-bulky seams, and if you have a surger, surge your seams and then sew down the seam to one side or the other; or you can do a flat-felled seam if you do not have a surger.
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I am just now starting a sweat shirt quilt. I liked the idea of the seams being outside. But that would be more like a throw. Cut your sweat shirt where the logo is, centering it. Now your could go has square as 12 inches. No matter what use 1/4 inch seams. It's easier to sew. Use the back of the sweat shirt cut the same size and put it right next to the logo one kind of like a checkerboard. One logo and one plain. Even a 10 inch square would be cool. you could use fleece as a backing. It's nice and warm, but get low-loft batting. If you would like to contact me further about your quilt, my email is purbabe@neo.rr.com, I would be very happy to assist you. Putting it together it to just by yarn and tie knots. I hope I helped
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