Table of Contents
Introduction: Give Your T-Shirts a New Life!
Upcycling breathes new life into pieces that hold meaningful memories—concert tees, travel shirts, or kids’ favorites. Stabili-Tee is a fusible interfacing designed specifically for knit fabrics (like t-shirts) so your stretchy fabric behaves more like quilting cotton once fused.
You’ll see Sophie trim the tee, apply the interfacing to the wrong side, and press with low heat and lots of steam. The result? A stable, easy-to-cut block that won’t warp when you sew it next to woven cotton.
Pro tip
- Start generously around the design. Precision comes after the fuse—when the fabric is stable and cutting is effortless. embroidery machine for beginners
Gather Your Tools and Materials
What you’ll need for this project
- T-shirt (clean)
- Cutting mat, quilting ruler, and rotary cutter
- Iron and ironing board or pressing surface
- Stabili-Tee fusible interfacing (the video mentions a 60" × 72" piece)
- Optional: spray bottle or a wet pressing cloth
Quick check
- Workspace set? Flat cutting surface for trimming and a heat-safe pressing area for fusing.
- Interfacing pre-cut slightly smaller than the fabric piece to avoid adhesive on the board.
Watch out
- The rotary cutter is sharp; keep fingers away from the blade.
- Irons are hot even on low. Avoid the soleplate and keep cords clear.
From the comments
- Viewers praised the clarity and pace of this demonstration.
- One viewer asked if “any” fusible interfacing would work for cotton-lycra knits and lunch bags. The video focuses on Stabili-Tee for knits and does not address other interfacing types or project use cases beyond quilts, pillows, and totes.
Step 1: Preparing Your T-Shirt
Before fusing, flatten the playing field. Sophie lays the tee on a cutting mat and trims away bulky seams so the front and back can be handled as separate, smooth pieces.
Trimming Away the Seams for a Flat Canvas
- Trim the bottom hem first using a quilting ruler as a guide.
- Cut up the side seams to separate the front and back.
- Remove sleeves and top seams so you’re left with two flat panels.
Quick check
- Are your pieces flat, free of seams, and with the graphic centered in a generous area? That sets you up for a clean fuse later.
Pitfall to avoid
- Cutting too close to the artwork now. Give yourself extra space; the exact size comes after stabilization. magnetic embroidery hoop
Tips for Handling the Fabric
- Treat the fabric gently—knits like to wiggle. Lifting instead of sliding helps prevent distortion even before fusing.
- If your tee is extra soft or thin, keep your ruler pressure light to avoid stretching while trimming.
Step 2: Applying the Stabili-Tee Interfacing
This step is all about alignment. Position Stabili-Tee on the wrong side of the tee with the textured adhesive facing the fabric. It should be slightly smaller than the fabric piece so glue doesn’t extend past the edges.
Cutting the Interfacing to Size
- Cut the interfacing to cover the design area generously—but not wider than the fabric perimeter.
- Smooth both layers to remove wrinkles before any heat is applied.
Watch out - Adhesive side up is a no-go. Check by touch: the glue side feels slightly textured.
How to Position it Correctly (Don't Get Sticky!)
- Wrong side of the tee faces up on your board.
- Interfacing sits on top, textured side down against the fabric.
- Keep everything smooth and aligned; correct now so you don’t trap creases under heat.
Quick check
- Interfacing edges do not overhang the fabric.
- The adhesive side is truly against the knit.
From the comments
- A viewer asked if any fusible interfacing will work for cotton-lycra knits. The video demonstrates Stabili-Tee specifically and doesn’t evaluate other brands or weights for that fabric or for items like lunch bags. magnetic embroidery frames
Step 3: The Fusing Process
Stabili-Tee bonds with heat and plenty of steam. Sophie demonstrates a lift-and-press method to lock everything in place without stretching your knit.
Setting Your Iron for Success
- Temperature: low—but hot enough to produce a lot of steam.
- Steam: generous. Use a spray bottle or a wet pressing cloth to add moisture if needed.
Watch out
- Too much heat can damage the t-shirt’s design. Stick with low heat and focus on steam.
- Sliding the iron across knit fabric can cause distortion; resist the urge to “iron.”
The 'Lift and Press' Technique for No-Stretch Results
- Tack first: set the iron down for a few seconds in multiple spots, lifting between placements. Don’t move the iron sideways.
- Then fuse: press each section firmly, adding moisture as needed.
- Flip and press from the front side to ensure a thorough bond.
Quick check
- The interfacing should be smoothly bonded with no bubbles, tunnels, or loose corners.
Pro tip
- If you’re unsure about your iron’s sweet spot, test settings on a scrap tee first. embroidery machine hoops
Step 4: Creating the Perfect Block
With the stretch removed, trimming is straightforward and precise. The stabilized fabric behaves like woven cotton, so your ruler stays put and the edges cut clean.
Squaring Up Your Stabilized Fabric
- Place the fused piece on your cutting mat.
- Align the ruler with the design so the motif sits straight.
- Square one edge, then rotate and trim the remaining sides for perfect corners.
Pitfall to avoid
- Cutting too tight to the design. Leave the seam allowance you’ll need for piecing.
Quick check
- Are the edges straight and corners at 90 degrees? Your block should lie flat without curling.
Cutting with Confidence
Stabilization makes cutting crisp and repeatable—ideal when you’re making multiple blocks for a quilt layout. The final block is clean, centered, and ready to sew into your next project.
Pro tip
- Keep a fresh blade in your rotary cutter. Stabilized knits cut like quilting cotton, and a sharp blade helps maintain those perfect edges. magnetic embroidery hoops
The Amazing Result: From Stretchy to Stable
Sophie demonstrates the before-and-after difference: the untreated knit stretches easily, while the fused piece barely moves. That stability means your t-shirt block will join neatly to quilting cotton without ripples or warping.
What to do next
- Plan your layout: alternate blocks, sashing, or simple rows—the video doesn’t cover sewing them together, but your stabilized pieces are ready.
- Try pillows or totes: the same stabilized panels work beautifully for simple projects.
From the comments
- Viewers appreciated the clear demonstration and upbeat delivery. The technique’s clarity helps beginners feel confident tackling their first memory quilt.
Watch out
- Product sizes and packaging may change over time. The video mentions a 60" × 72" piece; always check current packaging before you start.
Optional embellishment ideas
- Add simple applique or lettering after stabilization if your project calls for it. Keep testing heat settings to protect any screen-printed designs.
- If you later decide to embroider on stabilized blocks, choose tools that keep layers steady. Many crafters prefer strong holding systems to minimize shifting while stitching. magnetic embroidery hoops for brother
Finishing thoughts Stabili-Tee turns wobbly knits into cooperative quilt components. With careful trimming, mindful placement, and a steam-forward press, your memory tees can transform into blocks that look sharp today and sew beautifully tomorrow. magnetic embroidery hoops for bernina
Bonus: organization and storage
- Label each finished block with painter’s tape on the back so you can reorder your layout later.
- Store stabilized blocks flat to keep them pristine until piecing. magnetic
Glossary quickies
- Wrong side: the back of the knit—the side that faces your skin when worn.
- Lift and press: a pressing motion where the iron is set down and lifted rather than slid across the fabric to avoid distortion. dime magnetic hoop
Safety recap
- Respect the rotary cutter and change blades responsibly.
- Keep steam away from hands; use a pressing cloth to protect both fabric and iron.
Your stabilized blocks are ready for the spotlight—quilt tops, pillows, totes, and whatever else your memory-rich stash inspires next.