How to Create a Rock Concert T-Shirt Blanket

Learn how to create a rock concert t-shirt blanket that will encapsulate your wild memories forever. Check out our simple step by step guide here.

Do you love going to concerts and can't help but purchase some form of merchandise (usually a t-shirt) when you see your favorite band in action?

If yes, you have probably accumulated a fair number of t-shirts over the years.

So, rather than let them gather dust under your bed, why not celebrate all those great memories by making your very own rock band t-shirt blanket.

Not only are these unique items great for making for yourself, but they also make amazing gifts for your loved ones. All you need to do is check out a few online reviews from recipients of a rock band t-shirt blanket to see how much people have loved receiving a bespoke blanket on a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary.

Plus, you don't even have to spend much money to create a high-quality band t-shirt blanket. Just make your own using the below step by step guide.

As sewing projects go, this is definitely one that is worth doing!

Step 1: Choose your t-shirts

Depending on how long you have been attending rock concerts, this step may be very quick, or it may take some careful consideration. After all, someone who has been investing in concert t-shirts for 20 years will have a lot more choice than someone who has only just started their live music journey!

To make an amazing custom t-shirt blanket using your rock concert shirts, you need to make sure you have a good balance of colors and you need to ensure that each square showcases the entire graphic or design. This is especially important if you want to showcase a passion for a particular band or tour.  

You should avoid:

• Cropping images
• Rows and columns that are traditionally used when making t-shirt blankets
• Unbalanced colors

Step 2: Determine your Panel size

Typically, the design on concert t-shirts is much larger than those found on other types of t-shirts, with some graphics being as much as 50% larger. In terms of creating a clothing blanket using your rock concert shirts, this means you will need to use a fewer number of t-shirts to make a blanket of the same size.

Therefore, if the blanket size calls for 20 t-shirts, you will only need ten rock concert t-shirts to make the same sized blanket.

When it's time to cut the shirts, you can always use more t-shirts if necessary.

Step 3: Think about the design of your blanket

Rock concert t-shirts are quite unlike any other clothing items, both in terms of color and content. For example, most rock concert shirts have a list of tour dates and locations on the back.

Do you want these to feature on your blanket? If yes, this will leave a lot less space for additional t-shirts.

Another key feature of rock concert shirt is that they are nearly always black. This can prove troublesome if you have a few colored shirts that you also want to include as the black ones then run the risk of simply blending into the background.

Ideally, you want a combination of blacks, greys, whites, and colored shirts to make an eye-catching rock band t-shirt blanket.

Finally, you need to decide if you want to feature t-shirts all from the same artist or rock band or if you're going to create a blanket depicting lots of different brands. Both options can produce great, unique pieces, but you should avoid using predominantly t-shirts from one artist but with a few stray ones, as this can result in a confused and odd-looking design. Attention to detail can make or break your blanket.

Step 4: Cut your t-shirts

This step can prove challenging for many rockers as the act of cutting up your rock concert t-shirts can feel like actually cutting up the memories themselves.

However, if you want to have a go at preparing your rock band t-shirt blanket, follow the below steps:

• Cut the shirts to remove the seams and sleeves
• Cut the squares to your preferred size (typically 8,12,14 or 16 inches for a width and 8,12,14 or 16 inches in length)
• Cut and press fusible lightweight interfacing onto the back of each square

Step 5: Put it all together

Arguably the most fun part of the whole creation process now is the time when you get to see your blanket come together.

Start by laying out your squares on the floor to see which ones you want where. Take your time with this step as it is a lot harder to make changes once you start sewing. You may also choose to add some stripes of fabric here and there to make all the different sections fit together better.

Now all that is left to do is start sewing, ideally with a sewing machine, unless you have hours and hours to spare, and the patience of a saint!  

Step 6: Batting and backing

If you want to create a comforting and luxurious quilt rather than a blanket, then this final step is crucial. Quilt batting and quilt backing (the middle layer of your quilt sandwich) needs to be cut slightly bigger than the top of the quilt to allow for shrinkage.

You should aim for between three to four inches of backing and batting extending beyond all sides of your quilt. When choosing your backing, quilting cotton fabrics typically provide the best results.

Your final task is to quilt your quilt. This can be carried out on a sewing machine using thread, or you can even use yarn to hold your quilt together; a process called tying a quilt.

Well done! You have now planned and created your very own rock band t-shirt blanket that will forever remind you of the good times you had rocking out to your favorite band.

Don't forget, you can always add to your custom t-shirt quilt if you aren't quite ready to hang up your rock n' roll boots just yet.