Quilt Size
70" × 70"
Total Cost
$126.43
Layout
4 × 4
Interfacing: Iron-on fusible interfacing stabilizes stretchy T-shirt knit and prevents distortion during sewing.
Block size: 14" is the most versatile—large enough for most designs but not too big for the quilt.
Sashing: 2–3" sashing frames each block and makes the quilt look polished. Choose a complementary solid color.
Professional T-shirt quilt services charge $100–$500+ depending on size, sashing, and quilting pattern
| Bed Size | Dimensions | ~Shirts |
|---|---|---|
| Throw | 50" × 60" | 9–12 |
| Twin | 66" × 90" | 16–20 |
| Full | 80" × 90" | 20–25 |
| Queen | 86" × 96" | 25–30 |
| King | 104" × 96" | 30–36 |
Inputs
Result
Nine shirts arrange in a 3×3 grid. With 14" blocks, 2" sashing, and 4" borders, the finished quilt is about 54×54"—a nice throw size. Total materials run about $40.
Inputs
Result
Sixteen shirts form a 4×4 grid. With 14" blocks, 2" sashing, and 4" borders, the finished quilt measures about 72×72"—between throw and twin size. Materials total about $55.
Inputs
Result
Twenty-five shirts fit a 5×5 grid. With 16" blocks, 3" sashing, and 6" borders, the quilt is about 104×104"—a generous queen/king size. Wool batting and larger size bring materials to about $132.
The number of T-shirts determines your quilt size. A throw-size quilt needs 9–12 shirts, a twin needs 16–20, a full/queen needs 20–30, and a king needs 30–36. Each shirt becomes one square block (typically 12–16 inches). The calculator auto-arranges blocks into a near-square grid and tells you the finished quilt dimensions.
| Quilt Size | Shirts Needed | Layout (14" blocks) | Finished Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throw | 9–12 | 3×3 or 3×4 | ~48×48" to 48×64" |
| Twin | 16–20 | 4×4 or 4×5 | ~64×64" to 64×80" |
| Queen | 25–30 | 5×5 or 5×6 | ~80×80" to 80×96" |
| King | 30–36 | 6×5 or 6×6 | ~96×80" to 96×96" |
The most popular block size is 14 inches square. This is large enough to capture most T-shirt designs while keeping the quilt to a manageable size. Use 12-inch blocks if your designs are small or you want more blocks per quilt. Use 16-inch blocks for oversized designs or if you have fewer shirts and want a bigger quilt.
| Block Size | Best For | 16 Shirts Makes | 25 Shirts Makes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12" blocks | Small designs | ~52×52" | ~64×64" |
| 14" blocks | Most designs | ~62×62" | ~76×76" |
| 16" blocks | Large graphics | ~70×70" | ~86×86" |
Yes, fusible interfacing is essential. T-shirt fabric is stretchy knit that distorts when cut and sewn without stabilization. Iron-on fusible interfacing (like Pellon SF101 or HeatnBond) bonds to the back of each T-shirt block, making it behave like woven fabric. Cut your interfacing the same size as your finished block.
| Interfacing Type | Weight | Cost/sq ft | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pellon SF101 | Medium | ~$0.12 | Most T-shirt quilts |
| HeatnBond Lite | Light | ~$0.10 | Lightweight tees |
| Pellon 931TD | Heavy | ~$0.15 | Very stretchy knits |
Sashing (fabric strips between blocks) is strongly recommended. It frames each T-shirt design, makes the quilt look polished, and adds 4–8 inches to overall quilt size. Most quilters use 2–3 inch wide sashing in a solid color that complements the T-shirts. Without sashing, blocks butt up directly against each other and designs can visually clash.
| Sashing Width | Extra Fabric (16 shirts) | Size Increase | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| No sashing | 0 yd | 0" | Blocks touch directly |
| 2" sashing | ~0.5 yd | +6–10" | Subtle framing |
| 3" sashing | ~0.8 yd | +10–15" | Bold framing |
A DIY T-shirt quilt costs $30–$80 in materials (interfacing, sashing, backing, binding, batting). Professional T-shirt quilt services charge $100–$500 depending on size, sashing, and quilting pattern. The DIY savings are 60–80%, but the project takes 8–20 hours depending on your sewing experience.
| Quilt Size | DIY Cost | Professional | DIY Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throw (12 shirts) | $30–$50 | $100–$200 | 8–12 hrs |
| Twin (16 shirts) | $45–$70 | $150–$300 | 12–16 hrs |
| Queen (25 shirts) | $65–$100 | $250–$500 | 16–24 hrs |
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.