Felted Owl and a Butterfly hats from Martha Stewart

These hats would be adorable for young children for Halloween. Shown are an Owl and a Butterfly hat for a boy and girl. There are downloadable templates and a video with step-by-step instructions. Before starting this project, you will need to felt an old 100 percent wool sweater. Simply wash the sweater in a washing machine with plenty of detergent and hot water, and dry in clothes dryer on high heat. The soap, agitation, and heat will cause the scales of the wool fibers to open up, lock together, and condense. Washing the sweater with something made of heavy cloth, like a pair of jeans, will speed the process. You may need to wash and dry the sweater a few times — every sweater’s different. Test your sweater for felting by snipping the edge — it should not fray. If it does, wash and dry again.

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If you’ve ever opened a drawer and found a stack of old T-shirts you just can’t let go of — maybe from school days, favorite concerts, or even a loved one — then you’ll love this creative and meaningful idea: a T-shirt memory quilt.

I recently stumbled upon this tutorial from Thermoweb, and I couldn’t help but think about all the sentimental tees I’ve saved over the years. You know the ones… that high school spirit shirt from senior year, your first 5K race tee, or maybe your favorite faded band shirt from a concert you’ll never forget.

This quilt project gives those memories a second life — not just stuffed in a storage bin, but sewn into something cozy and functional you can use every day.

Thermoweb’s version uses their EZ-Tee Stabilizer to help keep the stretchy T-shirt fabric from warping during the sewing process. If you’ve ever worked with jersey or knit, you know it can be a little tricky. But their tutorial breaks it down simply, making it approachable even if you’re not an expert quilter.

What I really love about this idea is that it’s not just for remembering someone who’s passed — though it’s a beautiful memorial option. It’s also perfect for celebrating chapters of your own life. A college graduation quilt made from sorority or club tees, a child’s outgrown sports shirts, or even a quilt made from all your vacation souvenirs… the possibilities are endless.

So next time you go to clear out your closet, think twice before tossing those old T-shirts. They might just become your next favorite blanket — full of stories, stitched with love.

? Ready to start? Check out the full tutorial here: Tee Shirt Quilt with EZ-Tee Stabilizer – Thermoweb Blog

DIY Memory Keepsake – T-shirt Quilt

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How to Make a Quilt Out of Upcycled Flannel Shirts

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