How to make a quilt from old clothes – 10+ ideas

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How to make a quilt from old clothes – 10+ ideas! Quilting can be intimidating between the amount of time invested and all the materials; making an upcycled quilt can be one way to try out the techniques without buying a bunch of new fabric. DIY upcycled quilts keep old clothes and sheets out of the landfill and make something beautiful and useful from outgrown or stained stuff! They make fantastic gifts, memorial or keepsake projects, and can be easy to make with the right tutorial. I shared some of my favorite ideas from all types of upcycled old clothes, leave a comment if you have a favorite idea I can add! If you don’t have a stack of old clothes in need of a new home, go on the hunt for the perfect clothes at the thrift shop after reading five tips for thrift shopping to upcycle & refashion.

While you’re here, check out these posts too:

• What to do with old jeans – 45+ upcycle sewing tutorials
• 25+ upcycle sewing tutorials that make great gifts
• Upcycled flannel shirts – 15+ creative ideas
• 25+ ways to repurpose old t shirts
• 40+ ways to upcycle sweaters into something new
• 35+ creative quilt label ideas
• 25+ creative vintage linens repurposed projects

Pin this round-up of tutorials for how to make a quilt from old clothes with this collage image or link; please click through to the original websites to pin specific posts so the wires don’t get crossed!

How to make a quilt from old clothes – 10 ideas

Collect old flannels and make a cozy patchwork quilt with this tutorial here on Swoodson Says.

Use thick wool sweaters and make a cozy patchwork quilt with this tutorial here on Swoodson Says.

Make a mega-sized tshirt quilt! This is an easy way for how to make a tshirt quilt without interfacing!

See how to make a quilt using sheets with this simple HST tutorial here on Swoodson Says.

Baby clothes quilts are such a sweet way to save those tiny pieces without shoving them in a tote, see how to make a simple one over at A Happy Stitch. [2024 edit note – this blog post appears to be deleted, leaving the photo up for visual inspiration]

Tshirt quilts don’t have to be complicated; see how to make a simple baby blanket from old shirt over at Polka Dot Chair, and use the same concept to make a larger quilt if you want!

Worn out dress shirts are easy to find in thrift stores or a sweet way to remember a loved one, check out this quilt made from them at Bonnie Projects.

Obsessed with this denim triangle quilt! There’s no tutorial but click through for inspiration and to see more photos, by Modern Handcraft.

If you are looking for a full tutorial and simpler starter project, check out this tutorial for an upcycled denim picnic blanket at Houseful of Handmade.

I’ve never tried the self-binding method but this sweatshirt blanket looks so cozy, with a tutorial from Polkadot Chair.

So bright and summery, see this beautiful quilt from Flamingo Toes that is made from vintage floral sheets.

I always see people talking about being gifted too many receiving blankets; turn them into a quilt that can be used for years with this tutorial from Scratch and Stitch.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a vintage handkerchief but these are beautiful! See how to turn them into a simple quilt over at Polkadot Chair.

A different vibe with this improv denim quilt from Sew DIY, perfect for using up scraps.

Some more ideas that you’ll have to click through since I don’t have photo sharing permission:

• A wonderful way to preserve a wedding dress, turn it into a quilt.
• Display and enjoy vintage doilies adorning quilt squares.
• Lots of creative ideas here including a quilt made of ties, baby bibs, and more!
• Lots more dress shirt quilt ideas shown over at Quilting Digest.
• Another cool t-shirt quilt idea with exposed seams.

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