The Best T-shirt Quilt Ideas: Patterns & Styles to Inspire Your Own Work of Art!

So you know you want to make your own custom t-shirt quilt but you're not entirely sure where to start...you've come to the right place! Today, we hope to inspire you with some of the best t-shirt quilt ideas we've ever seen. By the end of this in-depth article, you'll be able to replicate one of these t-shirt quilt design ideas yourself. Or, perhaps they'll inspire you to come up with something totally unique!

We'll go over what to consider when choosing your t-shirt quilt patterns - including whether you should go with a t-shirt quilt pattern with different size blocks or keep blocks the same. Then, we'll list our favorite t-shirt quilt patterns we've seen our community come up with. Let's not waste any more time!

What to Consider When Coming Up With Your Own T-shirt Quilt Design Ideas

Whether you've already decided you want to work with the experts here at Project Repat to bring your quilt to life or you're learning how to make a t-shirt quilt DIY, there are a few things to keep in mind to help you make your vision a reality.

First and foremost, consider how big you want your quilt to be. This will dictate how much your t-shirt quilt costs along with how many t-shirts for your quilt are needed. Moreover, this will give you a better idea of how many blocks are going to make up your quilt. From there, you can answer an important question: will you make a t-shirt quilt pattern with different size blocks or keep things consistent? Keep in mind that most people go with uniform block sizing. The alternative comes with an added cost and tends to complicate your design - but when you work with Project Repat, we can easily accommodate different size blocks! We'll touch on this more in-depth later on.

Secondly, you should consider the materials you plan on using for your quilt. Of course, the most obvious choice for a t-shirt quilt is, well...t-shirts! However, at Project Repat, we can accommodate all sorts of other materials as well - including jerseys, hoodies, tank tops, and more. The specific material you go with will influence the cost, weight, and comfort of your blanket. You should also consider your backing material and color - along with how much batting is put in your quilt (if any).

Once you have a better idea of these requirements for your quilt, you can start to ponder the various t-shirt quilt patterns and design ideas out there. Let's start exploring your options...

What Type of T-shirt Quilt Pattern is Right for Me? 

Now that you know some of the basics for creating your own t-shirt quilt, it's time to start thinking about patterns. This is one of the most fun parts about making a custom t-shirt quilt - and also one of the most important in terms of how your final product will look. There are two main types of t-shirt quilt patterns: those with different size blocks and those with consistent block sizes.

Different size blocks offer more flexibility in terms of design but can be more difficult (and expensive) to put together. With this type of pattern, you'll need to account for irregularities which can make your quilt less balanced overall. That being said, going with different size blocks allows you to get creative with your quilt and really make it your own. You can have one big block in the middle with small blocks around the edge acting as a border, for example.

On the other hand, patterns with consistent block sizes are much easier to put together - especially if you're doing a DIY t-shirt quilt. That's because they don't require as much accuracy when measuring and cutting out each individual piece. There is less "mixing and matching" as well. This type of pattern also lends itself well to a cleaner, more polished look. You'll find that most people go with this option when creating their own custom t-shirt quilts.

Once you've decided on the size of your blocks, it's time to start thinking about t-shirt quilt ideas...

Our Top T-shirt Quilt Design Ideas: Inspiration to Guide Your Own Blanket Creation

Are you ready for some inspiration? Here are some of our top t-shirt quilt design ideas to get those creative juices flowing:

Themed Quilts for a Sports Team, TV Show, Movie, or Musical Artist

Themed quilts are always a popular choice. Consider making a quilt based on your favorite sports team, musical artist, TV show, movie, etc. For example, say you're a fan of the New York Yankees. You could compile shirts with different variations of the logo, different seasons/achievements, etc. Whether you're a fan of something in particular or you're shopping for someone and you know what their obsession is - this is a great choice.

Memory Quilts From Experiences or Events

If you have a collection of t-shirts from different events or experiences (like concerts, vacations, races, etc.), consider making a memory quilt! This is a great way to commemorate special times in your life. One type of quilt we see frequently with this style is t-shirts from sporting events. Growing up playing sports, you likely acquired a ton of t-shirts each year from major events you partook in. And now those shirts don't fit you anymore. So, creating a functional quilt from them is a great way to keep them alive while basking in the nostalgia.

Branded or Designer Quilts

Do you have a favorite clothing brand or fashion house? Maybe it's Adidas or Nike. Or, perhaps you love high fashion - and have a bunch of t-shirts that you paid a pretty penny for that don't fit you anymore. You can create a "branded designer blanket" with these old shirts! Having different designs from the same brand all on one blanket is a really unique t-shirt quilt design idea that we see frequently.

Honor a Loved One Through a Memory Quilt

One of our personal favorite t-shirt quilt ideas is to honor a loved one. Dealing with the grief of losing someone important isn’t easy. You may find yourself looking for ways to preserve their memory and hold onto them forever. One great way to do that is to create a quilt from their old t-shirts. You can round up some of their favorites that you remember seeing them in all the time. And whether you actually snuggle up with them and use the quilt or hang it on the wall, they’ll be memorialized forever. 

Additional T-shirt Quilt Ideas You Can Consider

Here are some more ideas for t-shirt quilts you can make:

• A quilt featuring shirts from all the different schools you've attended
• A "family" quilt with shirts from every member of your immediate or extended family
• A "best friend" quilt - perfect for a gift! - showcasing t-shirts from inside jokes, shared experiences, etc.
• A baby blanket made out of old baby clothes (onesies, bibs, etc.)
• A pet blanket using old pet clothes (bandanas, sweaters, etc.)

Looking for more ideas before starting your project? We've seen some amazing t-shirt quilt patterns on Pinterest that may inspire you. Or, explore our t shirt quilt reviews. Not only will this page leave you certain that Project Repat is the #1 choice in the game. But, you'll also see real blankets we've made for our customers. You might just come across something that catches your eye and inspires your own unique design! At the end of the day, there are really no bad t-shirt quilt patterns or ideas. This is your blanket - so make it your own!

Want to Bring Your T-shirt Quilt Ideas to Life? Let us Help!

Once you have a better idea of what t-shirt quilt pattern you want to bring to life, there is only one thing left to do. Head over to Project Repat and get the process started! As the #1 choice for memory blankets with photos, you can trust that you're in good hands. We were the original custom quilt brand to offer this service and have been considered the #1 place to get t-shirt quilts made for 10 years and counting. With better prices, better service, and most importantly, a better final product, there is no better place to bring your t-shirt quilt ideas to life!

Final Thoughts on T-shirt Quilt Ideas & Patterns

We hope this article helped inspire you to come up with your own t-shirt quilt ideas. Remember - there is no such thing as a bad t-shirt quilt design idea as long as you're happy with it! And now that you know the key factors to consider when designing your own t-shirt quilt pattern, it's time to put it all together at Project Repat. When in doubt, reach out. We're here to help make your vision a reality as the #1 t-shirt quilt company in the industry.