T-Shirt Quilts Today - The Blog About T-Shirt Quilts

T-Shirt Quilt VS. T-Shirt Blanket

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 11:00:03 GMT

Why the Difference Matters (and why a blanket SHOULDN'T be called a quilt)

T‑Shirt Quilt vs. T‑Shirt Blanket: Why the Difference Matters (And Why a Blanket Shouldn’t Be Called a Quilt)

When families start looking for a way to preserve their loved one’s shirts—graduation shirts, sports jerseys, band tees, or memorial clothing—they often run into two very different products that sound almost the same: T‑shirt quilts and T‑shirt blankets .

But here’s the truth most shoppers don’t realize:

A T‑shirt quilt and a T‑shirt blanket are not the same thing. Not in construction, not in durability, and definitely not in quality.

And if you’re trusting someone with your memories, the difference matters.

At Meg’s Quilted Memories , we create true quilts—the kind that last for decades, hold up to real life, and become heirlooms. Let’s break down what sets a quilt apart from a blanket and why calling a blanket a “quilt” is misleading.

�� What Is a True T‑Shirt Quilt?

A real quilt has three layers :

The T‑shirt top – carefully cut, stabilized, and pieced together
The batting – the soft, insulating middle layer
The backing fabric – cotton, minky or flannel, chosen for comfort and durability

These three layers are then quilted together , meaning they are stitched through all layers to create structure, stability, and longevity.

A true quilt:

Holds its shape
Lays flat
Washes beautifully
Lasts for years (often generations)
Feels substantial, cozy, and high‑quality

At Meg’s Quilted Memories , every quilt is professionally pieced, layered, and quilted so it becomes a long‑lasting keepsake—not just a throw.

�� What Is a T‑Shirt Blanket?

A T‑shirt blanket is usually:

A single layer of shirts sewn together
Backed with fleece or plush fabric that can pill
No batting
No quilting
No structure

It’s essentially a lightweight throw made from shirts.

Blankets:

Stretch out overtime and shirts droop
Large graphics get cut off
Curl at the edges and don't lay flat; meaning, you can't smooth out the wrinkles
Lose their shape
Wear down faster
Don’t offer the same warmth or durability

They’re fine if you're shirts aren't important to you or for casual use, but they’re not built to last—and they’re definitely not quilts.

❗ Why It Shouldn’t Be Called a Quilt If It Isn’t One

Calling a blanket a “quilt” is like calling a sandwich a wedding cake.

Sure, they both involve layers… but only one is crafted with the skill, structure, and intention to last.

Here’s why the terminology matters:

1. Quality Expectations

When someone orders a “quilt,” they expect a multi‑layered, professionally quilted piece—not a single‑layer blanket.

2. Longevity

Quilts are heirloom‑quality. Blankets are temporary.

3. Price Transparency

A blanket is cheaper to make. A quilt requires significantly more time, materials, and craftsmanship.

Using the wrong term confuses customers and undervalues the work of professional quilters.

4. Emotional Value

Most people ordering T‑shirt quilts are preserving memories. They deserve to know exactly what they’re getting.

�� Why Meg’s Quilted Memories Creates Only True Quilts

Your shirts hold stories—championships, concerts, milestones, memories of loved ones. They deserve more than a quick‑sewn blanket.

At Meg’s Quilted Memories , every quilt is:

Thoughtfully designed
Professionally stabilized
Pieced with precision
Layered with high‑quality batting
Quilted for strength and beauty
Finished with durable binding
Made to last for decades

This is why your quilts feel substantial, look polished, and hold up to real life.

❤️ Which One Should You Choose?

If you want something:

Lightweight
Cheap
Casual

A T‑shirt blanket might work.

But if you want something:

Durable
Beautiful
Structured
Cozy
Long‑lasting
Worthy of your memories

Then a true T‑shirt quilt is the only choice.

And that’s exactly what we create here at Meg’s Quilted Memories .

What Is a Bereavement Quilt? A Comforting Memorial Keepsake

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:41:00 GMT

A Meaningful Way to Honor a Loved One

When Clothing Becomes a Legacy: The Healing Power of Memory Quilts

When someone we love passes away, the world shifts. Suddenly, the smallest things — a favorite flannel shirt, a well‑worn hoodie, the dress they wore every holiday — become priceless. These pieces of clothing hold stories, scents, textures, and memories that feel too important to pack away in a box. A memory quilt offers a way to honor those moments while creating something comforting, beautiful, and lasting.

Why Clothing Holds So Much Meaning

Clothes are deeply personal. They carry the shape of a life lived — the softness of years of wear, the colors they loved, the places they went, the routines they kept. When families bring clothing to be made into a memory quilt, they’re not just handing over fabric.

They’re sharing:

A father’s favorite work shirts
A mother’s cozy sweaters
A spouse’s beloved band tees
A child’s pajamas or tiny outfits
A grandparent’s Sunday best

Each piece represents a chapter, and together they tell a story no words can fully capture.

How a Memory Quilt Helps with Healing

Grief is not something we “get over.” It’s something we learn to carry. A memory quilt becomes part of that journey by offering:

Comfort you can hold

There’s something deeply soothing about wrapping yourself in the clothing of someone you miss. It feels like a hug you can return to again and again.

A way to keep memories close

Instead of storing clothing in a closet or bin, a quilt keeps those pieces visible, useful, and cherished.

A meaningful family heirloom

Memory quilts often become treasured keepsakes passed down through generations — a tangible reminder of love, legacy, and connection.

A gentle step forward

Sorting through clothing can be emotional, but it can also be healing. Choosing pieces for a quilt gives families a way to honor their loved one with intention.

What to Include in a Memory Quilt

There’s no right or wrong choice — only what feels meaningful to you. Some families choose:

Shirts, sweatshirts/pants, or pajamas
Robes or flannels
Dresses or blouses
Handkerchiefs or scarves
Uniforms or work shirts
Baby clothes or non-knitted/crocheted blankets

Even small pieces can be incorporated into a beautiful design.

The Process: Thoughtful, Respectful, and Personal

At Meg’s Quilted Memories , every memory quilt is created with care, respect, and an understanding of how important these items are. Families can choose the size, layout, and special touches — or simply trust the process and allow the quilt to come together naturally.

Some choose to add:

Embroidered names or dates
Special blocks featuring pockets or logos
Coordinating fabrics that reflect their loved one’s style
A custom label honoring their memory

Each quilt is one‑of‑a‑kind, just like the person it celebrates.

A Quilt That Tells a Story

A memory quilt is more than fabric sewn together. It’s a way to keep someone’s presence woven into everyday life — draped across a couch, folded at the foot of a bed, or held close on the days when missing them feels especially heavy.

If you’re considering a memory quilt, know that you’re not alone. It’s an honor to help families preserve the love, laughter, and legacy of someone who meant the world.

Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to help you create something beautiful.

Meg’s Quilted Memories Where love lives on, one stitch at a time.

I would love to speak with you about your project. Feel free to reach out via email meg@megsquiltedmemories.com or call at 810-250-1825.

10 Things to Consider Before Ordering a T-Shirt Quilt for Your Graduate

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:51:14 GMT

Start their new chapter of life with great memories.

Graduation season sneaks up fast. One minute your student is learning to tie their shoes, and the next they’re walking across a stage in a cap and gown while you try not to cry into your phone camera.

A T‑shirt quilt is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give a graduate — it wraps up their memories, accomplishments, and favorite moments into something they can take with them into the next chapter.

But before you box up those shirts and send them off, here are the most important things to consider ensuring the quilt turns out exactly the way you envision.

1. How Many Shirts Do You Actually Need?

Most people underestimate this. A throw‑size quilt usually needs around 12–20 shirts, while larger quilts can use 30 - 50 or more.

If your grad has:

Sports shirts
Club shirts
Musical or theater shirts
Vacation shirts
“I just liked the color” shirts

…you’ll have plenty to choose from. But it’s good to count before you commit.

2. What Size Quilt Fits Their Next Chapter?

Think about where this quilt is going:

A dorm bed
A first apartment
A couch for late‑night study sessions
A keepsake they’ll treasure for decades

Choosing the right size ensures the quilt is both meaningful and practical. While they may be in the dorm for a year, those mattresses are twin XL which is not a normal size after college.

3. Are the Shirts Clean and Ready?

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many shirts arrive with:

Mystery stains
Locker‑room aromas
Wrinkles that have achieved sentience

Give everything a quick wash and dry so the quilt maker can work their magic.

4. Do You Want All the Shirts Included… or Just the Favorites?

Some grads want every memory represented. Others prefer a curated collection of their most meaningful shirts. If your child played sports, do you want/need every number? Or are the just a few to include. Although you may want this to be a surprise for your graduate; if you’re unsure, ask them. You may have pulled a shirt that they didn't like or worse yet...wasn't theirs! (Shirts can migrate especially between teens!)

5. What Style of Quilt Do You Want?

Not all T‑shirt quilts are created equal. Some makers use:

Uniform block sizes
Variable block sizes
Sashing
Borders
Custom layouts

At Meg’s Quilted Memories , the goal is always to highlight the shirts in the most flattering, balanced way — but it helps to know your preferences. Also, we'll show you a picture of your layout so you see exactly what you're getting and you can move things around during the layout process. You won't just send the shirts off, cross your fingers and hope for the best!

6. How Important Is Professional Quality?

DIY T‑shirt quilts are a beautiful idea… until you’re wrestling stretchy fabric at midnight and Googling “why is my quilt shaped like a trapezoid.”

A professional quilt maker:

Stabilizes every shirt
Cuts blocks accurately
Uses high‑quality batting
Quilts everything securely
Ensures the quilt lies flat and lasts for years

If this gift is meant to last through dorm life, laundry cycles, and adulthood, quality matters.

7. What’s the Turnaround Time?

Graduation season is the Super Bowl of T‑shirt quilts. Makers book up fast — sometimes months in advance.

If you want your quilt ready for:

Senior night
A graduation party
The big day itself

…be sure to check availability early. (At Meg’s Quilted Memories , spots fill quickly every spring.)

8. Do You Want Extras Like Names, Dates, or Special Blocks?

Some families love adding:

The graduate’s name
Graduation year
School colors
A special photo block
A message from Mom or Dad

These little touches turn a quilt into a true heirloom.

9. What’s Your Budget?

T‑shirt quilts vary in price depending on:

Size
Number of shirts
Quilting style
Custom features
Some makers call their product a quilt when it's really a blanket. There's a difference! You can read about that here https://www.megsquiltedmemories.com/blog/we-make-real-quilts-not-blanquilts.

A well‑made quilt is an investment — one that lasts far longer than flowers, balloons, or a gift card to Target.

10. Who Do You Trust With These Memories?

These shirts represent years of hard work, late nights, victories, friendships, and milestones. You want someone who treats them with care, communicates clearly, and delivers a quilt that honors your graduate’s story.

That’s exactly what Meg’s Quilted Memories specializes in — thoughtful design, professional craftsmanship, and quilts made to be loved for a lifetime.

Ready to Create a Graduation Quilt They’ll Treasure?

Whether your grad is heading to college, the military, a new job, or their next big adventure, a T‑shirt quilt is the perfect way to send them off wrapped in memories.

When you’re ready, you can explore options, check sizing, and get started right on my website. If you have a quick question, give me a call! I do pick up the phone. I’d love to help you create something unforgettable for your graduate.

Making Your Own T-shirt Quilt? What Could Go Wrong?

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:28:12 GMT

Everything that could go wrong (and why Meg's Quilted Memories exists)

Making a T‑shirt quilt sounds like a wholesome, crafty weekend project. You picture yourself sipping tea, humming peacefully, and stitching memories into a cozy masterpiece. You dream of posting your creation on your Instagram page and getting thousands of heart emojis.

Then you start… and suddenly you’re in a battle of wills with stretchy fabric, rogue logos, and a sewing machine that’s questioning its life choices.

If you’re thinking about making your own T‑shirt quilt, enjoy this humorous tour of what might go wrong — and why so many people eventually hand their shirts to Meg’s Quilted Memories instead.

1. The Stretchy Fabric That Laughs in Your Face

T‑shirt fabric stretches like it is training for the Olympics. You cut a perfect square. You blink. Now it’s a rhombus.

It’s not you — it’s the fabric. (We tame this beast daily.)

2. The “I Just Accidentally Beheaded the Mascot” Crisis

Logos are rarely centered. Some are crooked. Some are huge. Some are tiny. And one confident rotary‑cutter swipe can turn:

“STATE CHAMPIONS” into “ATE CHAMP”
A mascot into a lone torso
A sentimental shirt into a tragic memory
I’ll just use scissors to cut, I can cut straight!

Professionals know how to save those off‑center designs. Just saying.

3. Stabilizer Shenanigans

Fusible interfacing is useful but dramatic. Use the wrong kind and your quilt feels like a medieval shield.
Use too little and everything flops like a wet noodle. Fuse it wrong and your iron becomes a sticky crime scene.

Meanwhile, over at Meg’s Quilted Memories , stabilizer is applied with the precision of a NASA launch. While we don't fuse all our shirts, just the ones that we know need some taming!

4. Block Sizes That Make You Question Geometry

You start with good intentions. You end with blocks that are:

12"
14"
9.5"
And one that is somehow 12" on top and 11.25" on the bottom

It’s basically fabric Tetris, but with higher emotional stakes. We’ve mastered the quilt math, so you don’t have to.

5. Seams That Ripple Like a Potato Chip

You sew a seam. It waves. You iron it. It waves harder. You threaten it. It waves with confidence.

A walking foot helps — and yes, we have one. Several, actually.

6. Wrestling the Quilt Sandwich

Once you add batting and backing, your quilt becomes a heavy, slippery creature with the personality of a sleepy walrus. Expect:

Shifting layers
Puckers
Broken needles
Existential dread

7. Quilting Lines That Wander Like a Lost Tourist

You aim for straight lines. Your quilt says, “Let’s take the scenic route.” Suddenly your minimalist quilting looks like a toddler took the wheel.

Even with a walking foot, t-shirt quilts need to be quilted professionally. We have 2 long arm machines to quilt all our t-shirt quilts with beautiful designs.

8. Binding: The Final Boss

Binding a T‑shirt quilt is where hope goes to die. Bulky corners. Wavy edges. A quilt that refuses to be square.

At Meg’s Quilted Memories , binding is done neatly, evenly, and without tears (yours or ours).

9. The Time Warp

You think it’ll take a weekend. Then suddenly:

It’s been three months and little progress
Your dining table is missing
You’ve fused stabilizer to your pants
You’ve watched 47 tutorials
You’re Googling “why is my quilt shaped like this”

10. The Emotional Rollercoaster

These shirts matter. They’re memories. Which means every cut feels like performing surgery with a rotary blade.

One slip and you’re whispering, “I’ve ruined everything.”

If you’d rather skip the stress and keep the memories safe, that’s literally what Meg’s Quilted Memories is here for. Even if you started, we'll take what you have and think it's beyond repair; we'll finish your quilt, while you finish your coffee and get on with your life.

So… DIY or Meg’s Quilted Memories?

If you love chaos, challenges, and character‑building experiences, go for it.
If you prefer your quilt to be flat, square, soft, and beautifully finished — without the drama — you can always give us a call and we can discuss your project. Reach out to us at 810-250-1825.

5 Ways to Get Organized This Year

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:39:06 GMT

While I am not “THE” expert or even “AN” expert in organizing (ask my husband), I am the one that everyone in the house goes to when they can’t find something. So, I must be doing something right! Here are my tips to help you get organized this year.

Write it down

Whatever you’d like to accomplish should be committed to paper. It puts your goals in front of you, and one of the most satisfying accomplishments is crossing completed items off your list.

Make your goals small

Organizing the entire house is a great goal at 60,000 feet in the air, but when you start to dive into it, you may find it’s a bit unmanageable. Start in a small spot and let it ripple out like a pebble tossed into the water. Tackle the junk drawer, organize the coat closet or just start with your least favorite job. For me, that’s the desk paper – bills, kid’s school stuff, tax info.

Enlist a partner

This can be someone to help you with actual organizing or just an accountability partner that you call or text. If you’re feeling really brave – post it on Facebook. Just find someone who will hold you accountable and cheer you on when a task is done.

Do a search for helpful solutions

The internet can provide a vast amount of ideas. Quite frankly, some of those people on Pinterest scare me with how organized they are. I try not to spend too much time there, but there are helpful sites from professional organizers that can provide solutions to your problems. But in the end, what works for one person may not work for you. Keep working a space until you find what works best for you, your household, and your way of doing things.

Keep your budget in mind

While all those cute baskets and elaborate storage solutions may look lovely, you can quickly break the bank if you don’t keep it under control. Plus, there are lots of things around your house that you can use. Get creative with what you have. An old cupcake baking pan can be used for small items like paper clips and push pins. Old pickle jars, butter tubs, candle jars, etc. can be repurposed for storage use.

Here’s a Thought – Convert Those Tees Into a Quilt!

Now, when you get to a closet or dresser drawer and find a pile of vacation or concert t-shirts that have been sitting unworn for years, it may be time to consider transforming them into a t-shirt quilt. It’s a great way to showcase your shirts while also making them usable. Visit my website at www.megsquiltedmemories.com to check out some of my recent projects.

Write it down

If you have some organizing tips that have worked well for you, please feel free to share them. I’m always looking to learn something new! Email me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com or contact me online at https://www.megsquiltedmemories.com/contact .

How to Care for Your T-Shirt Quilt

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 17:24:01 GMT

Congratulations! You’re enjoying your t-shirt quilt and now you’re wondering how to care for it? Is it washable? Can I put it in the dryer?

WASHING Your T-Shirt Quilt

Good News - your t-shirt quilt is completely machine washable! You’ve washed your shirts before, so they’re fine. Here at Meg’s Quilted Memories, we pre-wash the backings to ensure that if the fabric shrinks, it shrinks before it’s put on the quilt, not after. Also, if the fabric bleeds dye, it bleeds before it goes on the quilt! The batting that we use is completely washable as well.

Use Cool Water

We suggest that when you wash your quilt, you wash it in cool/lukewarm water. There’s really no need to use hot water. Use a mild detergent like an Arm & Hammer® or Tide®. You may want to throw in some Shout Color Catchers® as well, just to be safe.

No Center Agitator

It’s also important to wash your quilt in a front-loading machine or a top loader that does NOT have the center agitator. The agitator twists and pulls on the quilt and the stitching.

If you have a smaller drum in your home machine, don’t stuff it with a large quilt like a full, queen or king size. You don’t want to throw off your drum or your timing. It may be better to take the larger sized quilts to your local laundromat to have them washed and dried. They tend to have larger capacity drums.

DRYING Your T-Shirt Quilt

You can dry your quilt in your dryer on medium heat. We suggest that you take the quilt out of the dryer mid-cycle and rearrange it so that the center dries completely. You may also wish to line dry it, but as with most line drying, the fabric tends to get stiff. Or you can partially line dry it and finish it in the dryer just to soften it up a bit.

Should I Dry-Clean My Quilt?

The answer is no, it’s probably not necessary with the following exception; you put an article of clothing on the quilt that requires dry cleaning. A silk tie or something with wool, like a varsity jacket or letter, can be put on a quilt, but then it needs to be dry-cleaned.

Red Flag!

If you research other t-shirt quilt companies and notice their washing instructions indicate dry clean only, it should be a RED FLAG for the following reasons:

The company doesn’t pre-wash their backings
Cottons will shrink, and the lower the quality of the cotton, the more it will shrink! If your backing material isn’t pre-washed and you wash it for the first time with your quilt, it will shrink. Except, now when it shrinks it will bunch up your shirts and your batting because the batting and the shirts are still the same size, but the backing material isn’t.
The backing material will bleed dye
Again, this is due to a lack of pre-washing. Pre-washing is an extra step, no doubt, because after you wash and dry, it means you have to iron as well. While skipping pre-washing saves time for the quilt maker, it is a potential headache and heartache for you, the customer!

Making it Last

At Meg’s Quilted Memories, our quilts are made to last many, many years. The materials we use are selected for their longevity. If you have any questions on the proper care of your quilt, please feel free contact me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com. To learn more about our full range of t-shirt memory quilts, click here .

Meet Meg

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:50:56 GMT

Are you ready for this?

Are you ready for this? My name is not Meg. It’s actually Maribeth, but my initials are MEG, and since Maribeth is such a mouthful to say, I shortened it to Meg for the sake of my business name, and it stuck! I don’t mind if you call me by my real name or my company’s name - some people just insist on calling me Meg, so if that’s your preference, go with it!

In addition to owning my business, I’m also a wife, mother and grandmother and have two of the most lovable dogs on the planet, and they are truly bottomless pits of need!

How it All Started

I’ve been sewing all my life. As my oldest son was growing up I noticed that he had the cutest shirts! My heart remembers them so well and I knew that I wanted to preserve those memories and give him back a piece of his childhood. I always knew I wanted to make a t-shirt quilt. It was over 9 years ago that the spark ignited! I was sure that others, like me, would want the same for their children. This was the start of Meg’s Quilted Memories.

Working with business people across many different fields to develop my business plan, I was challenged by one mentor who asked me “What are your non-negotiables?” He explained that as businesses grow they change, they face challenges, etc. I needed a guide for my non-negotiables. At the top of that list was quality . So that means no inferior batting and no cheap thread. It means only quilt shop quality fabrics are used in making my quilts. My customers deserve only the best from me and my company.

Stitching Together Your Life Story

Since we started, we’ve made over one thousand t-shirt quilts. Our tag line is “Stitching Together Your Life Story” and we’re passionate about doing just that. Each shirt is important to you and it’s important to us as well. We strive to provide you with the best quality, high precision, and a high level of communication in the quilt making process. You’re not a number to us. We have a handful of dedicated employees who will handle your order – from the cutting/layout department, to the sewers and quilters and in the final stage of shipping it back to you. We keep your quilt and your needs top of mind during the entire process.

What Your Quilt Says About You or Your Loved One

I think everyone’s favorite thing is to see all the different shirts that come in. We can learn so much about someone through their shirts. We love to see all the places you’ve visited and the concerts you’ve attended. We love to celebrate your life accomplishments as well as honor your loved one’s passing. We always say “This is not our quilt, it’s yours.” We appreciate being able to give you something unique and special.

So, let us design a quilt for you!

Please contact us at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com or call us at 810-250-1825 , and check out all our quilt options at www.megsquiltedmemories.com .

www.megsquiltedmemories.com .

Warmly,

Maribeth and Staff

Meg’s Quilted Memories

Preserve High School Memories With a T-Shirt Graduation Quilt

Sat, 09 Feb 2019 20:23:34 GMT

A T-shirt graduation quilt is an excellent way to save all the T-shirts collected during school that will never be worn after graduation. During the graduation season, typically we’ll need 8 weeks or more to make your quilt. However, if you don’t have 8 weeks until you need your graduation quilt, please call or e-mail to see if we can squeeze in your order. We will do everything possible to make this happen for you.

HERE ARE SOME QUICK TIPS TO ENSURE A GREAT T-SHIRT GRADUATION QUILT:

YOU MAY WANT TO SURPRISE THEM IF…

This is something that you’ve discussed with them, so they know it’s coming at some point and you have been collecting t-shirts for years so you have enough variety to make the quilt.

You know for a fact the quilt style they like.

You know the color preference for the backing of the quilt.

SPLITTING IT DOWN THE MIDDLE

Regardless if you decide to include them or go for the surprise, your graduate will treasure his/her quilt. If you’d like to blend the yes and the no reason, you can let your graduate know that you’d like to make a quilt from his/her tees. Ask them what they would want to keep forever versus donate. Talk to them about colors for the backing or perhaps show them the website and let them see some options. You’ll get some wheels turning and soon you’ll have some direction. You can still keep the final design a secret and let them know they’ll see the quilt at graduation or the graduation party. It will still be a surprise…trust me!

QUILT SIZE

The size of the quilt will depend on the style you like and the number of shirts you have. We can always make quilts bigger by adding borders.

We’d love to speak with you if you have any questions. Please email me at meg@megsqulitedmemories.com or contact me online. Or you can download my T-Shirt Buyer’s Guide that walks you through the quilt making process.

A Quilt for under $100? Really?

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 19:14:29 GMT

Don't Let This Happen to You!

I’m going to tell you two stories from customers who purchased the lesser expensive “quilts” that you see advertised. Those inexpensive quilts resulted in some expensive and painful lessons!

Story #1 came from a lady who peppered me with a ton of questions on process, material quality, cutting methods, binding, thread usage and more. I was happy to answer all her questions and then commented that she really knew a lot about the t-shirt quilt process. I was impressed!

She then confessed, “I had another company make a quilt for me and it was awful. I thought that $74.99 was a good deal and once I received it, I realized why it was so cheap. All my sorority shirts that I had been saving were chopped off and the sewing was uneven. When my mother passed away, I knew that I didn’t want to make the same mistake with her shirts. She had some really old concert tees from the late 70s. There’s no way, I wanted those graphics to be chopped.”

Story #2 started like this: “I thought you were all the same!” This began the conversation with a woman who I had been previously emailing and talking with about a quilt she wanted made from her deceased husband’s shirts. She didn’t respond to any communication for a couple months, then out of the blue she called me and she was sobbing. She explained that her daughter, whose intentions were in the right place, took her husband’s shirts to “another company that always advertises on Facebook” to have a “quilt” made.

When she got the “quilt” she was distressed. She didn’t want her daughter to think she was ungrateful but she was disappointed in the product she received. She said “her husband’s shirts are saggy and it doesn’t lay nicely.” She couldn’t get them smoothed out. She asked if I could “fix” it.

Your Parents Were Right! You Get What You Pay For!

I totally understand budgets and costs. We all have budgets and have to live within them or make trade-offs. So if cost is the most important factor, then there are some expectations you should have with letting cost drive your decision.

What to Expect From a $74.99 “Quilt”

As a child we were taught an important life lesson – you get what you pay for. Nowhere is that saying truer than when it applies to quilts.

Here is what you can expect from a $74.99 so-called “quilt”...

1.Your graphics will be cut off.

This is a given. The standard industry square size is either 12” or 14”. If you’re graphics are larger than those two sizes, they’ll be cut and many times cut off center. The die machines they use don’t allow for the operator to see where the cut lines will go. Many times, two or three, are cut at a time. They have to. For the price, they have to cut as many as possible as quickly as possible.

Here at Meg’s, we do two styles of quilts. The mosaic will guarantee that your graphics will never be cut. We also do the checkerboard style and use a 14” square. This fits most shirt graphics. However, if any graphic will be compromised in the cutting process on the checkerboard, we will take pictures and send them to you for review and approval before we cut. This way you know where the cuts will take place. You’ll also have the opportunity to switch to the mosaic, if you’re not comfortable with cutting the graphics.

2.You’re getting a blanket, not a quilt.

I put the word “quilt” in quotations when referring to what you get for $74.99 simply to set it apart from the actual meaning of the word quilt. Sewing squares together in a row does not make a quilt. What those companies are actually making are blankets but they’re advertising them as quilts, which is deceiving -- they know it and think that you don’t.

Think of sandwich cookies and potato chips. A quilt is like a sandwich cookie! It has three layers. For a quilt, you have your shirts (top), the middle (batting) and the backing. The three layers are held together with stitching or quilting. The quilting is important for keeping the three layers together as well as to stabilize your shirts. They will not continue to sag and stretch with use and wash.

Blankets are like a bag of potato chips. There are only two layers. You can pull the front and back apart like you’re opening a bag of chips. This means your shirts aren’t stabilized. That’s what gives the saggy look to blankets and ensures that they don’t lay flat and can never be smoothed out. Once you move one area, it wrinkles another. Here are some examples:

Blankets are less expensive than quilts for a few reasons:

Skill
A blanket doesn’t require a high skill level. If you can teach someone to put shirt next to shirt and sew in a straight line, you can make a blanket. T-shirt blankets are taught in high school sewing classes.

Machinery
A blanket maker needs only a sewing machine. A t-shirt quilter needs a long arm quilter to complete the quilt. A long arm quilter can cost between $10,000 and $35,000. View our quilting video here:

Materials
Typically, blankets are backed with a fleece which is an inexpensive fabric. You can pick that up at JoAnn Fabrics for $4.99/yard retail, the wholesale cost will be significantly less. An experienced t-shirt quilter knows that an inexpensive backing can ruin a quilt. In addition to the batting and the specialized long arm thread, there is the backing fabric. High quality 100% cottons are best and many experienced quilters will purchase the same fabrics from the same manufacturers that you will find in quilt shops (not JoAnn’s).

Time
A blanket takes less time because there are two steps. It’s a production line. A stack of shirts are placed in front of a sewer. A 12 shirt blanket can be made start to finish in well under an hour. A 12-shirt quilt, here at Meg’s, takes 6 steps and about 4 hours to complete.

Workmanship
Due to the nature of the blanket making process, workmanship can be compromised. Blanket production lines have to work quickly and move as many through as possible, so if corners don’t match up, they don’t have the time to go back and fix it. The mistake is left in. If there’s a stack of shirts and three white shirts or three red shirts happen to be placed on top of each other, they are sewn together with no thought for the look or the design.

Meg's = Real Quilts, Real Quality!

Here at Meg’s, we are very thoughtful on the design and will move shirts around to separate colors when possible. In addition, we send you a picture of the layout before we sew anything. Sometimes, we rearrange a layout 3 or 4 times before a picture is sent to you for approval.

Compare the photos above to the high-quality craftsmanship you can count on from us:

Final Thoughts

You’ve been saving your shirts for a while or you’ve been collecting those shirts as your child grows, knowing that you want a quilt made that you’re going to love. There are many factors to consider – quality, style, workmanship and cost.

When looking at a quilt and comparing it to a blanket, remember that you are not comparing apples to apples. It’s more like comparing a fast food burger to a specialty bar burger. Both are food, but one costs more because of the superior quality of the ingredients and the time it takes to make it properly.

I would love to talk with you further about how our process works. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com !

The Costs Involved in Making a T-Shirt Quilt

Sat, 25 Aug 2018 18:33:02 GMT

Aren’t you all the same?

A review of T-shirt quilt companies will reveal a wide range of quilt pricing ranging from $125 to over $1,000. Believe it or not, in some instances your “t-shirt quilt” company may not make real quilts at all, but rather blankets that are falsely advertised as quilts. Not all quilt companies are alike, and the quality you receive can very widely, so it’s important to know the costs involved to better understand if you are receiving a genuine quilt.

There are two major factors that impact t-shirt quilt costs – labor and materials.

Labor

This is a large component of your quilt. A high quality t-shirt quilt company has skilled quilters who have worked at their craft for many years. With the current minimum wage at $7.25/hour, a t-shirt quilt company focused on high quality knows that minimum wage workers will not have the skills for the job. Talented and knowledgeable t-shirt quilters are not unskilled. This means their hourly rate is higher than an entry level worker.

Also, in the labor costs, is the time that it takes to make a quilt. Quilts that have a simple design, like a shirt next to a shirt, next to a shirt, etc. really don’t take much time at all. This design is taught in many high school sewing classes and in many cases, your shirts are simply put in a stack and sewn starting at the top and working down to the bottom without any consideration as to whether the same colors should be so close to each other.

More complex t-shirt quilts require more time not only in properly cutting the shirts but also in the layout and design. We lay out all our quilts and analyze them for color balance and aesthetics. We also send you a picture of the layout for your approval. This way you have an idea of what it will look like prior to anything being sewn and quilted. The approval process takes time too, and that is included in the cost of the quilt. We may rearrange a quilt 3 or 4 or 5 times until a customer is happy. We don’t sew it until you like what you see!

All quilts (as opposed to blankets) should be quilted, and that process takes time. Whether it’s stitching in an all over pattern or specialty quilting, it takes skill and time that entry level workers don’t have.

Materials

All genuine quilts have the same basic material components which are fabric, batting and thread. If you are looking at a quilt company and they don’t mention batting, then these are the companies that advertise “quilts” but really make blankets.

Fabric – Not All Cottons are Alike

Fabric is used not only on the backing of the quilts but also on the front in the sashings that separate a checkerboard design. Fabric comes in many different colors as well as many different weights or thread counts. You can buy fabric at Walmart and you can buy fabric at a specialty quilt shop. Both may sell 100% cotton but it’s the weight and quality that matters. A low quality 100% cotton will not hold up to the wear and washing like a high quality 100% cotton. At Meg’s we use only 100% quilter quality cottons and flannels for our fabric.

Batting and the Quilt Sandwich

Batting is the layer between your quilt top (shirts) and your backing. In the quilting world, this is called a quilt sandwich. The batting that is used is very important and like fabric, it comes in many different materials from polyester to 100% cotton batting as well as an 80/20 cotton/poly blend. They are now even making batting from recycled plastic bottles! However, we will focus on the main battings you may hear and see.

Polyester batting:

Polyester battings are made from polyester fibers and tend to bunch up with multiple washings. If you find a low end quilt price, chances are they are using polyester batting. As far as quality and price, polyester batting falls on the low end. Many t-shirt quilt companies looking to cut costs will use a polyester batting. Polyester batting needs to be quilted closely. Meaning the stitches need to be put close together so that the batting in between those stitches does bunch up with use and washings. I don’t suggest polyester batting for t-shirt quilts.

100% cotton batting:

This is fine for t-shirt quilts but it tends to be thin and tears easily when it’s moved or loaded onto the quilter. This batting needs to be quilted closely too, otherwise, like the polyester it may bunch up with wear and washings.

80%/20% cotton/poly blend:

This is the batting that most quilters use. It’s a high quality blend of cotton and poly. As the batting is needle punched over hot drums, the needles melt the poly and that binds the cotton fibers together to form a strong batting that will not bunch and will lay flat. 80/20 blends are very hard to tear; therefore quilting stitches can be farther away from each other. It also won’t bunch up and break down with washings like the other two battings mentioned above will.

Here at Meg’s we only use 80%/20% cotton/poly blend that is manufactured by the Warm and Natural Company. All their battings are made here in the United States.

Thread

Again, another material that has a variety of materials used to make it. All-purpose polyester thread is a great thread for sewing and is used by most t-shirt quilt companies. There are different companies with different qualities of all-purpose thread. We use only Gütterman brand all-purpose thread. We’ve found that it holds up extremely well to wear and washings with minimal breakage.

Thread for quilting is different from sewing threads. We suggest that only cotton thread is used for quilting and those that are specifically woven for use on long arm quilting machines. Some companies use “invisible” threads and they are similar to fishing line. We don’t suggest that these be used for quilting because they break too easily. Here at Meg’s, we use Superior Thread Omni line for all our quilting.

Good Work Ain’t Cheap …

I realize that all of this may be confusing, but if you want your quilt last you for many years to come, you want a knowledgeable and skilled quilter who uses only high quality materials. As my father used to say…”good work ain’t cheap and cheap work ain’t good.”

If you have any questions, please feel free to download my T-Shirt Quilt Buyers Guide, or you can contact me directly at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com or (810) 250-1825 . I look forward to hearing from you!

BEREAVEMENT QUILTS: A Source of Comfort

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 18:54:56 GMT

“Farewell is said by the living, in life, every day. It is said with love and friendship, with the affirmation that the memories are lasting if the flesh is not.”
~ R.A. Salvatore, The Legacy

Bereavement quilt made of Hawaiian shirts (above)

When we lose a loved one, memories are all that we have left, and most of us cling to those memories with all our might.

Often, one of the hardest things to let go of is our loved one’s clothes – such a personal reminder of who we’ve lost. We may even find ourselves burying our faces in those clothes to catch a brief scent of them and a reminder of all the happy memories we’ve shared.

Sadly, those scents will fade with time, but the clothes remain and still conjure powerful memories - Dad’s “lucky” shirt that he wore to every game or Mom’s special Thanksgiving apron or Uncle Joe’s one-of-a-kind fishing jacket. Sometimes those memories are just too powerful to pack up and take to Goodwill. Sometimes, it’s just too hard to let go.

A Source of Comfort

That’s when a memorial quilt or a memory bear made with those special clothes can help you through the grieving process. You can wrap yourself up in the memories and hug that bear when you feel a cry coming on. It will be sad at first, but you’ll find comfort over time.

When is a Good Time to Have a Memorial Quilt Made?

Timing is completely on your schedule. It’s when you feel ready and comfortable. Everyone grieves differently; there’s no grieving timetable that everyone follows.

I had one customer who lost her father. She brought me his things less than a week after his funeral because she needed something to wrap up in as quickly as possible. Another customer contacts me every year inquiring about making a quilt, but she is not quite ready to release her daughter’s clothes to have a quilt made.

Sometimes, when we lose someone, and we begin thinking about creating a memory quilt our thoughts turn to surviving children, siblings, friends, etc., and the last person we think of is ourselves. Even if you’re not ready for a memory quilt or bear for yourself right now, we suggest putting some clothes aside. You’ll be happy that you did later.

Everyone is different, which is entirely understandable. We work with compassion and love with each memorial quilt that we create.

What Garments Can I Use in a Memorial Quilt?

Anything that says “dry clean only” on the label - such as suit material or neckties - can be used in quilts but that means your quilt will also need to be dry cleaned. If you’d like to be able to wash your quilt, then whatever you would normally throw in the wash is fine. That includes:

Tees
Sweatshirts
Pants – jeans, washable dress pants, khakis
Bathrobes
Dress shirts
Jackets – Denim jackets, windbreakers, etc.
Socks and suspenders
Dresses
Flags and banners
Scarves and Handkerchiefs
Hats – baseball or knit or ski caps
Pajamas
Linens – tablecloths, towels, sheets, blankets, etc.
Athletic clothes – jerseys, shorts, singlets, swimwear, etc.

Memorial Quilt Costs

Memorial quilts cost the same as regular T-shirt quilts. However, if the quilt includes more than five unique items such as flags, suspenders, socks, baseball hats, etc., there may be an additional cost. These items – called “sew-ons” - need to be cut and sewn onto another piece of material, which requires a little more time.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of the situation, the loss of a loved one is always a painful process. If you’re a friend of someone and want to have a memorial quilt made for them, remember that timing is everything. While most would agree that a quilt or a memory bear is much easier to cuddle with than a pile of clothes, you have to be sensitive to your friend’s needs and their timing. Even if your intentions are sincere, they may not be ready. Talk to them and be patient.

I’m Here if You Need Me

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me. I’d be happy to speak with you – call me at (810) 250-1825 or email me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com .

Scouting T-Shirt Quilts - They Deserve One, Right?

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:47:08 GMT

Congratulations!

Congratulations! Your Boy Scout just finished his Eagle project and will be aging out of the program soon. Your Girl Scout just accomplished her Bronze, Silver or Gold Award and you’re proud of all her accomplishments! But there are many memories stored in all those great t-shirts they’ve accumulated through the years. Like sections of a mosaic, each shirt tells a piece of the story of your son or daughter’s scouting experience.

Showcase Your Scout’s Accomplishments!

A great way to showcase those accomplishments at their final ceremony is to have those shirts made into a t-shirt quilt that will celebrate those memories for life! Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on a quilt:

Timing

If you’d like to have the quilt made to display at a Court of Honor or Advancement Ceremony, make sure you give your t-shirt quilt maker plenty of time. Normal turn-around times can go between 4-8 weeks for a quilt to be made and it will depend on time of the year. Graduation and Christmas are busy times for t-shirt quilt makers.

Choose Your Shirts Carefully

They get A LOT of shirts in scouting, but there may be some duplicates or some that are less important than others. Therefore, choose your tee shirts carefully while keeping in mind they will be in the quilt for many years to come. Be sure to include shirts from younger scouting years too, like those from their Brownies or Cub Scouts days. You may want to include your scout in this process. Explain to him or her what you’d like to have done. You may get more input on which shirts they would like to include in the quilt as well as input on the next thing to think about – the design!

Quilt Design

Quilting Counts!

Your t-shirt quilt should be quilted . That simply means that there is stitching throughout (not just on the edges) to secure the top of the quilt (your shirts) with the back fabric and the batting that is in the middle.

A so-called quilt company that doesn’t actually use a quilting process is not a true quilt maker, but they are hoping you don't understand the reason why they charge less. They make blankets and market them as quilts, but it’s a deceptive practice and gives the t-shirt quilt industry a bad name when the customer realizes that their cherished "quilt" is not holding up well over time.

For more information, read our blog post to learn more about why t-shirt quilts need to be quilted. It contains a video so you can see real quilting in action.

Get Our Free Quilt Buyer’s Guide!

If you’d like to know more about the quilt making process, please download my free Quilt Buyers Guide , or email me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com .

T-Shirt Quilt Buzzwords

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 20:07:29 GMT

They're just T-shirts, right?

They’re just t-shirts, right? Sometimes when you talk with a T-shirt quilt maker they throw out words that seem so far removed from the actual word “t-shirt,” that you wonder if you’re talking with an alien. Well, not anymore. Here is an A to Z glossary of t-shirt quilt words to help you better understand the world of t-shirt quilting.

Backing:

This is the fabric on the backside of the quilt. Backings can be made from cotton, flannel, wool, or even the new Minky fabrics (luxurious and silky soft fabrics that feel like real mink to the touch). Typically, Meg’s Quilted Memories uses pre-washed, pre-shrunk 100% high-quality cotton backings. Pre-washing and pre-shrinking allows you to wash your quilt safely.

Batting:

This is the layer of “stuffing” between your backing and your quilt top. Batting comes in various materials from polyester to wool. At Meg’s Quilted Memories, we use an 80% cotton/20% poly blend material for batting. This blend allows you to wash your quilt without causing any bunching of the batting between the top and back fabric. Other battings can be used if you prefer.

Binding:

Binding is used to encase the raw edges of the quilt and to frame your t-shirt quilt. Bindings are normally made of the same material as the backing, but they don’t have to be. They can be any color that you choose to match or contrast with your quilt. There are three methods of binding a quilt.

Fold over:

With this approach, the backing is cut slightly larger than the quilt top. It is then folded over twice and wrapped around the quilt top and attached to the front of the quilt. No extra fabric is needed for this type of binding, but the look is not as crisp. This is not a method of binding that is used at Meg’s Quilted Memories.

Blanket binding:

This type of binding is traditionally used when binding blankets and is rare with professional t-shirt quilt makers. With this method, the quilt top is placed on top of the backing with the right sides (the sides you will see when the quilt is finished) facing each other. A ¼” – ½” seam is sewn around the edge leaving a 6-8” gap (known as the “birthing” gap). Then, the quilt is turned inside out – so the right sides are facing out - using the birthing gap. The “birthing” gap can then be closed with either a hand stitch (preferred) or a machine stitch. Blanket binding is not a preferred method of binding a t-shirt quilt and is not used at Meg’s Quilted Memories.

Traditional binding:

This method requires separate strips of fabric that are cut on the bias and sewn together to create one long strip of material. This strip is sewn onto the backing of the quilt and mitered at the corners. That strip (the binding) is then folded over the side of the quilt where it is attached to the quilt top using either a “stitch in the ditch” method or a decorative stitch in a contrasting or blending color. This is the binding method used by Meg’s Quilted Memories.

Block:

A block is a term used to describe the t-shirt after it’s been cut. Whether it’s a traditional quilt or a t-shirt quilt, blocks are what make up the quilt top. Blocks can all be the same size if you prefer the more traditional checkerboard look, or blocks can be cut to different sizes for a mosaic quilt look.

Graphic:

The graphic is simply the design of the shirt – the logo, wording, or a combination of both.

Quilting:

Quilting is the stitching that holds the three layers of the quilt (top, batting, and backing) together. Quilting can be done in a combination of ways.

All-over quilting:

With all-over quilting, the piece is quilted from top to bottom and edge to edge. Or each block can be quilted individually. This quilting can be either a simple meander or a complicated design.

Stitch in the ditch:

This quilting method involves stitching in the seam line between the blocks. Normally, it’s best to leave no more than 4-6” between quilting stitches, so this method works well on quilts with small squares (such as 2” squares) but is not recommended for t-shirt quilts with large blocks. Stitching only in the seam allowance often leaves too much room between stitches and may cause the batting to bunch up when washed.

Hand tying:

Although technically not a type of quilting, hand typing can hold the three layers of your quilt together. To hand tie a quilt, the quilter places a knot of embroidery thread, called a “tack,” or a knot of machine thread every 4” across the top and bottom of the quilt.

Quilt top:

The quilt top (as opposed to the backing) is the side of your quilt that you want to show off. With t-shirt quilts, it’s the side where you will see all of your t-shirt graphics.

Get My Free T-Shirt Quilt Buying Guide eBook!

You can find more information about the quilting process by downloading my free eBook. Or feel free to ask me anything directly! You can email me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com.

We Make Real Quilts, Not "Blanquilts"

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:59:05 GMT

Let’s say you’re searching for a company to make you a quilt, and you come across a myriad of companies that advertise “T-Shirt Quilts.” Buyer beware! There’s a huge difference between a real quilt and a blanket advertised as a quilt. Some companies call themselves quilt makers but they are really blanket makers. Even if they’ve mashed the two words together to make a new word such as “Blanquilt”, it’s still just a blanket.

Here’s how to spot the difference:

Q uilts According to Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster’s definition of a quilt is a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (such as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs, like this:

When We Say Quilt, We Mean Quilt!

Here at Meg’s Quilted Memories we make real t-shirt quilts. We don’t advertise quilts and then make you a blanket. Why does it matter? Blankets are stretchy and thin. They will only hold up as long as the t-shirt holds up. How many of your shirts have seen better days simply due to wash and wear? A blanket will wear just like your shirts. Initially you will receive a very soft stretchy product, but over time it will sag and continue to stretch. It really is not in the same league as a real quilt.

Quilt Sandwich, Anyone?

As Webster’s definition suggests, quilts are made up of three layers. In the business, it’s called a quilt sandwich. The top layer is the layer of your shirts that have been sewn together. The bottom layer is what is called the backing. The middle layer is the batting. The batting is what will keep your quilt lying flat and will give the quilt body and warmth. Batting manufacturers have guidelines that indicate how far apart the quilting should be. This can range between 2” – 6”, depending on the manufacturer.

Here's what the layers look like:

Professional Machine Quilting

Our quilts are professionally machine quilted with a layer of batting in between the layers. We use an APQS long arm quilting machine for all our quilting, and we “quilt” all our quilts according to batting manufacturer guidelines for density. This process stabilizes everything and is the key to your quilt lasting you a lifetime.

Our competitor’s T-shirt “quilt” blankets are often made by taking the stretchy t-shirts and only backing them with stretchy fleece without any stitching whatsoever for reinforcement. Stretchy material backed with stretchy material is not a good recipe for a long lasting keepsake. Of course, they are very economical because they only take a few steps to construct, but the quality is lacking, resulting in a t-shirt “blanket” that fails to keep it’s original look and feel.

So, if you want them to last a lifetime, you can rely on Meg’s Quilted Memories to create a real QUILT for you!

See Real Quilting Action!

Here's Why You'll Love Our Quilts:

Quality is the most important thing at Meg’s Quilted Memories.
We use 100% quilter’s grade cotton for all sashing and backing fabrics.
All quilts are professionally machine quilted. Our quilts are NOT hand-tied. Hand-tied quilts will not hold up to the multiple washings these quilts will typically undergo during years of use.
Our battings are a high-grade poly (20%) /cotton (80%) blend for the perfect weight and softness.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Meg’s Quilted Memories. We’re passionate about our product and we love to answer any inquiry you may have.

You can reach us at 810-250-1825 or click to contact us.

Goldilocks Vs Cookie Cutter T-Shirt Quilts

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 21:21:31 GMT

You’ve seen the advertisements for T-shirt quilts that all look similar, typically arranged in 12” blocks in rows and columns. But what if your shirts have graphics larger than 12 inches, or so small that they get lost in a 12" block?

When you take a stack of T-shirts with a variety of graphics, you’ll see that shirts have different sizes of graphics. You may have some with very large graphics. Concert and musical show t-shirts are notorious for large graphics on both sides of the shirt. On the other hand, you may have shirts with just a small logo or graphic.

And what about wording or graphics that run down a sleeve – how can you fit that long sleeve graphic onto your quilt if the sleeve doesn’t fit into the 12” cookie cutter? To add another variable, T-shirt manufacturers often scale the graphic to fit the shirt size. So you can have 2 shirts with the exact same graphic in different sizes.

Why Goldilocks Likes Her Quilts “Just Right”

When looking for a t-shirt quilt maker, it’s important to look at the manufacturing process. Are your shirts stamped with a die cutter that doesn’t center your shirts? Or are they hand cut with your shirts centered and square? Knowing how your shirts will be handled is important when trusting someone to make your memory quilt. It’s important to look at the size of the block that your quilt maker cuts. If your graphics are large, your shirt may have a portion cut off and that compromises the quilt. Let’s take a look at Mr. “Garf Brooks” below.

The graphics on the shirt above are pretty large. In fact, it’s currently cut to a 16” block. Much larger than the industry standard 12”. If we had to cut this shirt to 12”, poor Garf would be completely squeezed and would look like this:

This is a 12.5” Plexiglas template. We use this so that we can see where the cutting will appear on your T-shirts. The black line that you see is the seam allowance marker so we can see how the seams will affect your graphics. If the shirt was cut to this size, you would lose Garfield’s shoes and a portion of the name “Garf” would be caught in the seam allowance.

Even if we used a 14” template, the shirt would look like this:

Again, we lose the “Brooks” at the bottom of the shirt although there is more room at the top for Garf. You are still losing much of the graphics of this shirt. If this was your favorite shirt, would you want the graphics to be compromised?

Different Blocks for Larger Tees

We know that your tees are important to you so we cut the shirts to fit the graphic. We can customize a quilt for you with different sized blocks to properly feature each shirt. For larger graphics, we cut larger blocks. For small graphics, the blocks are cut to fit.

Take a look at this finished quilt below. The following shirts were too large for 12” blocks: the Taylor Swift shirt with guitars, the Imagine Dragons concert shirt and the Pi-Lingual black shirt at the bottom. Also, the blue John Hopkins shirt and the two horse shirts had very small graphics that would have been lost on a 12” block. By cutting each shirt to properly feature each graphic we created a beautiful and visually stunning quilt for this young lady.

Learn More - Get Our Free Quilt Buyer’s Guide!

If you’d like to know more about the quilt making process, please download my free Guide. Or, contact me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com .

Checkerboard Vs Mosaic Quilts: Size Matters

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 22:33:00 GMT

Checkerboard Vs. Mosaic

Most t-shirt quilts are made in one of two styles – the Checkerboard or the Mosaic (shown above) – and I’m often asked the difference between the two. The biggest difference is the size.

The Checkerboard quilt has a set pattern, and the blocks are a uniform size, typically 14-inch squares with 2” of sashing in between. A large lap-size Checkerboard quilt requires 12 shirts.

The size of a Mosaic quilt is primarily driven by the graphics on your shirts. A large lap-size quilt needs anywhere from 15 – 25 shirts because only the graphic is used. The larger the graphics, the fewer shirts required, and – as you probably figured out – the smaller the graphics, the more shirts required.

CHECKERBOARD OR MOSAIC QUILT? HOW TO DECIDE

When deciding which style is best for you, you need to determine:

Which style you prefer aesthetically
How you plan on using the quilt

Do you just need something to cover your legs while you’re watching TV, or do you need something to cover a queen-size bed? If you have a limited number of shirts, then the Checkerboard might be best since it will give you a larger sized quilt. If you have a lot of shirts, and you want to get as many of them onto the quilt as possible, then the Mosaic may be the way to go.

At Meg’s Quilted Memories, we know how to create the size that you want using the style you prefer. Before cutting, I can give you an approximate size, so you can decide then if you’d like to shrink it by removing some shirts or enlarge it by adding a few “maybe” or “as needed” shirts. We can also add a border to increase the size.

If the size of your quilt is important to you, please put that on your order form or in the special instructions, so I know not to cut anything until you have an estimate of the size.

Contact Me with Your Quilting Questions!

Please feel free to ask any questions during the quilting process by emailing me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com or contact me online through my contact page.

Turn Swim Meet T-Shirts Into a T-Shirt Towel

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 22:39:30 GMT

So you’re a swimmer and each meet you get another t-shirt. What can you do with them? Well, you can wear one every day X the number of shirts you have and keep rotating. Or, you can have your shirts put onto an oversized t-shirt towel to use on the swim deck!

At the request of one of my customers, we’ve developed a t-shirt towel just for swimmers! Imagine all your accomplishments wrapped around you after you get done swimming a heat. Pretty neat huh? Best of all, this towel is warm and comfortable and completely washable.

Happy Swimming!

Feel free to contact me at meg@megsquiltedmemories.com.

Meg

Meg's Quilted Memories Story

Sat, 02 Jan 2016 22:47:05 GMT

Greetings and welcome!

I get asked many times, ‘how did you start making t-shirt quilts?’ It all began with a boy and falling in love as most good stories start. But this boy came to me as a sweet baby 20 years ago. It was love at first sight and I knew I wanted to treasure every minute.

He always had the cutest shirts with funny saying when he was a baby. Then came the school years where all he wanted to wear were jeans and tees. Some tees he wore out along with the jeans. Endless days of play, sun and mud! As the boy grew and the tees got smaller and the jeans were full of holes, I still wanted to keep a part of that little boy forever. So I started saving a few of his favorites, salvaged the scraps from his jeans and tucked them away for the day that I could make a quilt for him and give him back a bit of his childhood.

That’s when the seed for Meg’s Quilted Memories was planted.

With the addition of two more children, I knew that I wanted to do the same for them. As my daughter grew, we’d talk about her quilt and tuck special items away for hers. My other son will toss me a shirt and say ‘here’s one for my quilt too.’ I started making the tshirt quilt from my oldest. Soon there came a request from a friend to do one for their child, then another friend asked for one, then another, and another. I knew it was time to move this to the next level.

I know how precious your tshirts are! Our closets are full of them and our dressers are stuffed but we love our tees! We live in our tees, sleep in them, cry in them. We can look at a tee and it’ll take us back to a favorite concert or vacation. Our sports tees announce our accomplishments. Our tshirts are very personal to us.

I take the utmost care with your precious memories. Each quilt is as unique as you are and can be customized to fit your personality. I welcome the opportunity to preserve your treasures for years to come. You can reach me at any of the links below.

I hope your day today is as warm and comfortable as your favorite tee!

Meg

T-Shirt Quilts Today - The Blog About T-Shirt Quilts

T-Shirt Quilt VS. T-Shirt Blanket

Why the Difference Matters (and why a blanket SHOULDN'T be called a quilt)

What Is a Bereavement Quilt? A Comforting Memorial Keepsake

A Meaningful Way to Honor a Loved One

10 Things to Consider Before Ordering a T-Shirt Quilt for Your Graduate

Start their new chapter of life with great memories.

Making Your Own T-shirt Quilt? What Could Go Wrong?

Everything that could go wrong (and why Meg's Quilted Memories exists)

5 Ways to Get Organized This Year

Write it down

Make your goals small

Enlist a partner

Do a search for helpful solutions

Keep your budget in mind

Here’s a Thought – Convert Those Tees Into a Quilt!

Write it down

How to Care for Your T-Shirt Quilt

Meet Meg

Are you ready for this?

Preserve High School Memories With a T-Shirt Graduation Quilt

A Quilt for under $100? Really?

Don't Let This Happen to You!

Your Parents Were Right! You Get What You Pay For!

Meg's = Real Quilts, Real Quality!

The Costs Involved in Making a T-Shirt Quilt

Aren’t you all the same?

BEREAVEMENT QUILTS: A Source of Comfort

“Farewell is said by the living, in life, every day. It is said with love and friendship, with the affirmation that the memories are lasting if the flesh is not.” ~ R.A. Salvatore, The Legacy

Scouting T-Shirt Quilts - They Deserve One, Right?

Congratulations!

Quilting Counts!

Get Our Free Quilt Buyer’s Guide!

T-Shirt Quilt Buzzwords

They're just T-shirts, right?

Get My Free T-Shirt Quilt Buying Guide eBook!

We Make Real Quilts, Not "Blanquilts"

See Real Quilting Action!

Here's Why You'll Love Our Quilts:

Goldilocks Vs Cookie Cutter T-Shirt Quilts

Why Goldilocks Likes Her Quilts “Just Right”

Different Blocks for Larger Tees

Learn More - Get Our Free Quilt Buyer’s Guide!

Checkerboard Vs Mosaic Quilts: Size Matters

Checkerboard Vs. Mosaic

Contact Me with Your Quilting Questions! ﻿

Turn Swim Meet T-Shirts Into a T-Shirt Towel

Meg's Quilted Memories Story

Greetings and welcome!

“Farewell is said by the living, in life, every day. It is said with love and friendship, with the affirmation that the memories are lasting if the flesh is not.”
~ R.A. Salvatore, The Legacy

Contact Me with Your Quilting Questions!