FAQ
How do you make your blankets?
We offer two varieties of blankets.
Option 1: The Double Sided Blanket
We’ll take the ‘best’ logos of your shirts and put them on one side of the blanket, and all the secondary logos or blank backs of your shirts and put them on the other side of the blanket. There is no batting in between layers, but the blanket is still thick and warm.
Option 2: The Fleece Blanket
We’ll take whichever logo you want from the shirt (you can either mark each shirt or we’ll choose the best one) and sew them together on the front of the blanket. The back will be backed by Polar-Tec fleece and you have your choice three colors.
How many t-shirts are used:
We use one square foot from each shirt. Our blankets range from 3 ft x 3 ft (9 shirts) up to 7 ft by 7 ft (49 shirts).
3’ x 3’ blanket - send 9 t-shirts (double sided) or 9 panels (fleece backed)
3’ x 4’ blanket - send 12 t-shirts (double sided) or 12 panels (fleece backed)
4’ x 4’ blanket - send 16 t-shirts (double sided) or 16 panels (fleece backed)
4’ x 5’ blanket - send 20 t-shirts (double sided) or 20 panels (fleece backed)
5’ x 5’ blanket - send 25 t-shirts (double sided) or 25 panels (fleece backed)
5’ x 6’ blanket - send 30 t-shirts (double sided) or 30 panels (fleece backed)
7' x 7' blanket - send 49 t-shirts (double sided) or 49 panels (fleece backed)
Note: for the Fleece Blanket option, we only need the designated number of panels, not full t-shirts. We can take the backs of your shirts and use them for the front if you would like that option, but you must designate which panels are to be used on the blanket. For example, a 5 x 6 blanket can be made with 15 t-shirts using the fronts and backs, or 30 shirts just using one side. Please use notes to let us know which sides of the shirts you are using, but use masking tape or stickers (NO POST-IT NOTES - they fall off, NO DUCT TAPE, it can leave a residue on your shirts).
Why are your blankets so much more affordable than other t-shirt quilt companies?
We are not quilting your t-shirts, which is a much more labor-intensive process. There are many great t-shirt quilt companies out there, but we heard from people that they wanted to preserve their t-shirt memories, get a great product, but not necessarily for as much money as it costs to buy a t-shirt quilt. We realize you may be thinking: How can you make a product that is top quality but so much more affordable? Well, the way we construct the blanket-- sewing all the pieces of the shirts together and then finishing the sides takes a lot less time to make, which ends up being a much more affordable price for you. We spend a lot of time carefully cutting the most important parts, and spacing out the t-shirts to make the design look great. We also spend a lot of time thinking about making the best possible t-shirt blankets (probably too much time), and we want you to be as happy as possible with your memories displayed in a more functional way. Please let us know if you have any questions--- we are always happy to talk t-shirt blankets.
How does shipping work?
When you order a blanket, we'll send you a blanket box with a pre-paid envelope into which you can place your t-shirts and drop them at the post office. All blanket shipping back to you is free! (For groupon customers, we do NOT send a blanket box)
Will you take baby clothes? How does it work?
We do take baby clothes - but it has to be a blanket made entirely out of baby clothes. We take 8 inches x 8 inches from each article, so the blanket will come out much smaller than what it's advertised as. But it still makes a great memento of all those baby memories! So, for example, a 5x6 using 30 baby clothes will end up being more like 3 feet by 3.5 feet. You can order any blanket size, or our baby stroller blanket, and we'll make it for you!
Can I make special requests for my blankets? What if I want to put certain shirts in certain places?
Special requests for t-shirt placement will cost an additional $50. We have an incredibly efficient process for making t-shirt blankets, which is why we are able to keep costs low. Special requests take additional time and logistics, and therefore we have to charge extra for them. Any preferences on placement or any other additional notes will cost an additional $50 and can be ordered here.
Once I buy, how long do I have to send in my shirts?
Please send your shirts to us within one year of purchase.
Will you take other materials besides just t-shirts?
As long as it's a softer material (no leather jackets or jeans please), we can use it. We'll take flannels, jerseys, dri-fit, sweatshirts, and dress shirts. And we can use any combination on the blanket. Please make sure the front and back has at least one square foot of fabric available for use.
Can you only use 1 foot by 1 foot? Will some of the writing get cut off?
We do our best to capture as much of the images on the t-shirt as possible. However, if your t-shirts have images that are larger than 1 foot by 1 foot, the image will be cut off.
How long will it take to get my blanket back?
Once we receive your shirts, your blanket will return in 4-6 weeks.
What's the biggest sized blanket you'll make?
Our biggest blanket is a 8' x 8'. However, if you want something bigger, contact us and we'll work something out. Sky's the limit!
Can I cut my own panels?
Yes, but we need 12.5 inches by 12.5 inches for each. Please do not send panels that are different sizes - they all must be the same size. You can also cut off sleeves or separate fronts and backs if it is more convenient for you.
Will you send back my t-shirt scraps? Or any extra shirts that are not used?
No, we cannot send you back scraps or extra shirts.
Where do you get your fleece?
Our fleece comes from Mill Direct Textiles in Lawrence, MA. It is high quality PolarTec fleece, but it is part of "second runs" that does not meet quality standards for PolarTec. This does not mean that it is not top quality fleece - you won't notice a difference! What it does mean is that we are using fabric that would otherwise be discarded and therefore we are keeping textiles out of the waste stream.
What's the best way to wash my fleece blanket?
Machine wash warm, tumble dry low, do not use bleach
Is there a 100% guarantee that my shirts will return?
Project Repat cannot guarantee that your t-shirts will arrive at the Repat headquarters or arrive back to you. The problem is that we don't control the postal service, and some things can get lost. That being said, once shirts arrive to us, we take great care of them and make sure that they will be sent out as an awesome new product to you.
What is your refund policy?
We're committed to ensuring that you love every Project Repat product that you buy. If you are not satisfied with your finished blanket, we will refund 100% of your money within 21 days. After 21 days, we cannot offer refunds. For custom orders, t-shirts must be sent to Project Repat within 1 year of purchase. After 1 year, Project Repat reserves the right to cancel your order and your money will not be refunded. Refunds can be offered up to 21 days after purchase of a custom order product. After 21 days, Project Repat will not refund money for those who have not yet sent their t-shirts to Project Repat. If you send extra t-shirts, we cannot send them back. If you send us t-shirts that can not be incorporated into the product, we cannot send them back. Please only send the proper amount of t-shirts that associate with your order.
How can I help?
There are several ways to get involved. First, you can buy one of our amazing products, which will support fair wage employment opportunities in the United States and keeps shirts out of landfills or from getting dumped in developing countries. Second, you can help spread the word about Project Repat to your friends. And finally, friend us on Facebookand follow us on Twitter. We hear that's what the kids are doing these days.
We also need college and university campus representatives! Conduct a t-shirt drive on your campus, sell our products, and raise money for yourself or your cause. Contact us today to find out more!
Is Project Repat 'mom approved'?
Project Repat is most certainly mom-approved. See here
What does that "Youth Trade" logo on your tags mean?
In another life, yes. Our original model was all about raising money for non-profit organizations run by the co-founders of Repat. But the idea just took off on us - we realized that the concept of t-shirts traveling around the world was really fascinating to people. We decided to change up our model a bit and turn Repat into a scalable social enterprise. While bringing shirts home from Africa was great, it was more of a cute idea that raised some good money for non-profits. What we were really noticing was just how many t-shirts there are out there in the world. People have so many t-shirts that they don't even know what to do with all of them. So, we thought about ways to bring value to those t-shirts and the world by upcycling them into new products here in the United States.