A t-shirt quilt is a piece of functional art made from your memories.
You give us your shirts and other pieces of clothing, and we’ll create a cozy quilt out of them that’s made to last a lifetime.
Quick Facts
Our Quilts
- Each shirt is cut to a size that suits its graphic. We call this a mosaic layout.
- Our quilts are fully machine quilted. This means there is a decorative stitch that runs throughout the quilt, making it durable and machine-washable.
- We have both traditional as well as soft fabric choices for the back of the quilts, and we’re picky about our fabric quality.
Our Process
- The price and finished size of the t-shirt quilt are determined by the shirts/material that you provide.
- You don’t need to send us a specific number of shirts. We are flexible. Send us the garments that have meaning and we can make it work!
- We do all the cutting and designing. We just need to know which side of each shirt you want used.
Do you live in or around Louisville, KY? Enjoy the full boutique ordering experience by dropping off your order in person! To best serve you, we work by appointment only. Click the button below to get started. We look forward to meeting you!
Easy Ordering Process
- Any fabric type : jerseys, sweatshirt material, etc
- You don’t need to cut, measure or lay anything out
- Just make sure the clothes are clean
We’ll let you know as soon as they arrive.
You can also drop your order off at our Louisville location
Turnaround time is usually 4-6 weeks.
We’ll let you know when your t-shirt quilt is shipped or ready for pickup!
Before you know it, you’ll have your very own custom t-shirt quilt – and an empty closet!
T-Shirt Quilt Pricing & Ordering
Pricing
- T-Shirt Quilt$95 Base + $9 per Shirt SideA “shirt side” is just what it sounds like – the front or back of a shirt. So, the front & back of a shirt counts as 2 shirt sides.
- Picture Square / Embroidery$20+Send us a digital image and we can have it printed onto fabric and put it in your quilt. We can also embroider text (price varies per line & length).
- Return Shipping$15Flat rate shipping charge for the finished quilt.
Approx. Sizes & Prices
REMEMBER: Your shirt sides determine finished size & pricing. This is only an approximate guide.
| Size | Price Range ($)* |
|---|---|
| Lap (10 – 14 shirt sides) | 185 – 221 |
| Throw (15 – 24 shirt sides) | 230 – 311 |
| Twin (25 – 30 shirt sides) | 320 – 365 |
| Full / Queen (31 – 41 shirt sides) | 374 – 455 |
| King** (42 or more shirt sides) | 473+ |
*Taxes may apply. This is the total cost before your deposit
FAQ
Call or text us at (502) 210-6291 for more information, or check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page
How many shirts do I need?
At least five. The size of the quilt is determined by the number of shirt sides that are provided.
We recommend that you focus only on using the shirts that have meaning and let it be whatever size it organically turns out to be. This also makes the process simpler for you.
Do they have to be t-shirts, or can I use another fabric?
We can use any fabric or article of clothing!
What’s a shirt side?
The front or back of a shirt. So, you can usually get up to 2 shirt sides from a shirt (the front & the back).
We also call miscellaneous pieces “shirt sides” for pricing purposes, such as a sleeve, a handkerchief or pair of pants.
Should I cut the shirts?
No, please bring us the whole shirt. If you’ve already cut them, we can still work with them but pre-cut shirt sides might incur a fee per pre-cut item to account for the extra labor and material needed to make them usable.
Do you use stabilizer / interfacing material on the shirts ?
No, the end result is much better without it.
Do you design the layout or do I?
By default we will design the quilt for you and balance the colors as evenly as we can throughout the quilt. If you have a specific design in mind, please let us know when you order it and send us a photo of the layout if possible. That said, we usually prefer it be left to us!
How do I prepare the shirts before ordering?
Sort the shirts based on what side you want, choose a color, and you’re done!
How do I order?
You can view our order page here. Leave a deposit for your order, get us your shirts, and we’ll send an invoice for the balance before we ship.
If you’re near Louisville, feel free to drop your shirts off in person by scheduling an appointment. Or, if you are simply too busy, you can even schedule a pickup and we’ll come get it!
What is your turnaround time?
Our turnaround is currently up to 4 weeks, but we can always work with you to get it done sooner. If your quilt is for a graduation or Christmas gift, please get it to us as soon as possible to minimize stress and late fees because we may even need to stop accepting orders during these periods due to high demand.
How will you cut the shirts?
By default, unless notified otherwise, we will cut a block capturing the complete design element of a shirt front. We can instead use the back of the shirt if notified to do so. Alternatively, we can use both the front AND the back – this will count the shirt as two shirt sides for pricing purposes.
Any number of shirt sides will work.
Can I put shirts on the back of the quilt?
We only put the shirts on the front of the quilt and use high-quality fabric on the back. A quilt with shirts on the back cannot be machine quilted and tend to look sloppy.
How do I order embroidery?
When you order your quilt, simply indicate what you’d like embroidered (exactly as you’d like to see it). Font choices can be viewed here. Price is determined by the number of words and size, usually between $20-$30.
Do you do other custom quilting and sewing orders?
We can machine quilt or finish an existing quilt top, or make a pillow out of a shirt or two. Otherwise we are not currently accepting custom orders. Check with your local fabric/quilt shop to see if they have any referrals!
Can I order different machine quilting designs?
Yes, but after a decade of experience with machine quilting, we have found that one design works far better than the rest for t-shirt quilts. While other designs may seem good on paper, in practice our standard design is the least distracting in person and least likely to wrinkle the stretchy t-shirt fabric.
Some may prefer to have no visible stitching across their shirts. This is very understandable but often results in saggy and dumpy looking quilts. This effect will be most visible in person and not in pictures (where a blanket may have been neatly spread out for presentation). That said, we can a stitch in only the corners of the squares instead of a stitch all over it, which will be nearly invisible and secure the different layers of the quilt much better than no quilting at all. Simply request “Baste Quilting” when you order.
Can I supply my own fabric for the backing and borders?
Yes. Please contact us beforehand to make sure you have enough fabric for the size of your quilt.
Can I have a traditional style quilt with squares cut a different size than 15"?
Yes, that’s no problem! Simply request it when you order. Please keep in mind that many people underestimate the size of their shirt designs and it looks very sloppy if some shirts have been cut too small. Smaller square sizes will also reduce the size of your quilt, which can be good or bad depending on your preferences. Lastly, smaller size squares limit the potential to combine different shirts into the same square.
We’ve consistently found the 15″ square to be the best size for traditional t-shirt quilts but there are exceptions. Quilts made from baby clothing, for example, are best with much smaller squares. Quilts made from only plain blouses, gowns, and other graphic-less garments tend to look best with a 12.5″ square.
Gallery
Why choose Happy Dance Quilting?
Quality and Value
While you can have your t-shirt quilt or blanket made as cheaply as possible, the old adage applies: you get what you pay for. Those blankets or quilts may look good at first, but aren’t made to last. They either won’t be machine quilted, so will fall apart in time or are backed with cheap fabric that will bleed color and ruin your shirts after the first washing.
On the other end of the spectrum, many experienced quilters who decide to start making tshirt quilts do high quality work, but are not thinking in terms of efficiency or using the most modern tools available. This raises their expenses, which get passed down to you. They may also be trying to fit making t-shirt quilts around their day jobs, leading to much longer turnaround times. Plus, these quilts are often densely custom quilted, which makes for a stiffer, less cozy blanket, and takes a lot more time and work to do for no practical gain. So while you will likely still get a beautiful t-shirt quilt from a high-end custom t-shirt quilt maker, you will pay a lot more for it.
Happy Dance Quilting is the happy medium between these two extremes. We use only high quality materials, so our tee shirt quilts are made to last (and are machine washable!). Additionally, we’ve worked hard to hone our process to deliver a high quality product as efficiently as possible. And we’re always looking for ways to make a better quilt, blending time-tested quilting techniques and cutting-edge methods to give you the best tshirt quilt at the lowest possible price, with the fastest possible turnaround.
A Brand You Can Trust.
Having a t-shirt quilt made is exciting, but it can also be a little scary. Your shirts, jerseys and other pieces of clothing are irreplaceable: what if something happens? We work to take all the risk out of having a t-shirt blanket made. We don’t ask you to cut your own shirts or choose a layout. That’s what we’re here for! Our team has over 100 years of combined sewing and quilting experience: we know what we’re doing!
Plus, unlike any other t-shirt quilt maker, you can come to our Louisville, Kentucky shop to drop off your shirts! You will have a one-on-one consultation with one of our tshirt blanket experts who will walk you through the process, help you make any choices and give you peace of mind that your keepsakes are in good hands.
A Company Fueled by Doing Good.
Feel good about your decision to choose a Happy Dance Quilting t-shirt quilt: not only are you reducing your environmental impact by giving clothes new life, but you’re supporting a socially conscious business with strong community ties. We strive to create a vibrant, engaging workplace where people from all walks of life feel welcome, and where our craftspeople are fairly compensated for their work.
Ready to get started? Place an order now!