Reverse Appliqué Quilt Block Sweatshirt

One of my favorite ways to use single quilt blocks is to wear them! Sometimes I add them to the back of a denim jacket, and other times I like to make them the focal point of a t-shirt or sweatshirt. Here’s how you can use a simple technique to create a Reverse Appliqué Quilt Block Sweatshirt using your favorite colors and style.

Image contains a photo collage showing a finished reverse applique quilt block sweatshirt, intended for Pinterest.

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How to Make a Reverse Appliqué Quilt Block Sweatshirt

To get started on this project, grab a sweatshirt in any color, and your favorite fabrics. You can use any quilt block pattern you like to express your own style.

Image contains a close up view of a black sweatshirt with a bright star quilt block in the center.

Materials

sweatshirt
fusible fleece (8” square)
fabric of your choice to create a 6 1/2” quilt block
scissors
chalk or heat erasable pen
basting pins/safety pins
measuring tape

Image contains a woman seated on the ground in front of a wooden fence, wearing blue jeans and a black sweatshirt featuring a bright quilt block in the center.

Instructions

Create a quilt block in your favorite pattern and colors.

The block should measure 6 1/2” unfinished. I used the blocks I created for the Rock the Block challenge. The free pattern I used for the black and neon block can be found here.

Image contains two star quilt blocks, one made of light pink and green floral fabrics, and the other made from black and neon fabrics.

Cut two 1 1/2” x 6 1/2” strips and two 1 1/2” x 8 1/2” strips for a border.

Sew the shorter strips to the sides of the block and the longer strips to the top and bottom.

This will give you a border area to work with so that your entire block is visible from the front of the sweatshirt.

Cut an 8” square of fusible fleece and iron it to the back of the block.

Measure 3” down from the neck of the sweatshirt and make a chalk mark.

This will indicate approximately where you want the top of the block to be.

Measure and mark the center of the area between the sleeves.

Using your marks as a guide, sketch a 6 1/2” square to show where you want the square to be.

I like to trace a 6 1/2” square ruler template, but you can also do this with a regular ruler.

Image contains Amy’s hand holding a piece of chalk and tracing a square ruler onto a black sweatshirt.

Find the center of the square and mark it with a “+”, then snip that area with scissors.

I just snip right along my little + lines.

Make a chalk mark in the center of your quilt block. Place the block inside the sweatshirt and line up the center mark with the small opening in the shirt front.

Pin the center in place with a basting pin.

Image contains the front of a black sweatshirt with a chalk square sketched onto it. The center is cut in a plus sign pattern to reveal orange fabric underneath.

Using your markings and ruler, align the block and pin in place.

Image contains a black sweatshirt with safety pins attached.

Flip the sweatshirt inside out and sew around the square.

I stitched 1/4” from the edges of the inner block (NOT the border). Make sure to arrange the sweatshirt so you are only sewing through the front, not the back.

Image is a diagram showing the inner block and outer border, with the seam 1/4” from the inner block’s edge.

Flip the shirt right side out and sew around the block a second time, 1/4” from your original seam.

Once again, make sure you are only sewing through one side of the sweatshirt.

Cut away the sweatshirt fabric inside your seams to reveal the quilt block underneath.

Image contains Amy’s hand and a pair of scissors, cutting black sweatshirt fabric away to reveal the colored block beneath.

Make sure not to cut too close to the seam to avoid accidentally cutting your stitches. The remaining sweatshirt fabric will roll back toward the seam, revealing the block.

Image contains a woman wearing a black sweatshirt with a colorful quilt block in the center, standing next to a wooden fence.

Now your shirt is ready to wear and enjoy! It’s so much fun to create these sweatshirts using different colors and block patterns; each one looks totally unique.

Image contains a pink sweatshirt with a pink, white, and green star block in the center.

Crafting Tips

If any chalk marks are still visible, you can easily brush them away with your hand or a paper towel.
To make this project even more affordable, use a sweatshirt you already own, or find one second-hand at a thrift store.
This sweatshirt makes a wonderful, personal handmade gift!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this sweatshirt machine washable?

Yes, of course! I recommend washing it inside out in cold water.

What fabrics did you use?

For the pink sweatshirt, I used the Bloom and Sew fabric collection. For the black sweatshirt, I used a combination of scraps including some by Tula Pink, some batiks, and the black polka dots from my Sunny Honey collection.

More Quilting Projects

If you enjoyed this project, here are some more ideas for you.

If you try making your own Reverse Appliqué Quilt Block Sweatshirt, or any of these other projects, I’d love to see your creations. Make sure you’re part of the Amy Latta and Friends Facebook Group so you can share your project photos and we can all inspire each other. See you there!