How to Applique Words on a Shirt

Add your initials to a shirt, or customize a shirt for a friend.

Applique is a kind of patch that is applied to the surface of a fabric. The word applique comes from the French word meaning "to put on." Applique letters are commonly used to personalize tote bags, quilts, or other fabric crafts. Adding an applique letter to a shirt is a very simple process when you use iron-on adhesive. When the applique letter is in place, use your sewing machine to trace the exterior of the letter to hold it firmly in place.

Things You'll Need

• Printer
• Paper
• Scissors
• Pins
• Fabric
• Iron on Adhesive paper
• Iron
• Shirt

Instructions

1. Print out a large letter on a piece of paper to use as a template. Use a large font so that the letter is easily visible. Cut out the letter to use as the pattern.

2. Place the sheet of iron-on adhesive against the fabric. Lay the letter backward on the pile and pin it to both layers. Use scissors to cut out two letter shapes -- one fabric letter and one iron-on adhesive letter.

3. Take the cut-out letters and turn the letter back over so it is facing the right way. Place the adhesive letter on the shirt, and then put the fabric letter directly on top.

4. Use a hot iron to iron the letter in place. The adhesive fabric will melt attaching the applique letter to the shirt.

5. Use the sewing machine to stitch the letter in place onto the shirt. Follow the perimeter of the letter with the sewing machine until it is fully attached. This will make the applique letter more durable against washing, and wear and tear. Repeat this process to create other letters to form a word.

References

• Skip to My Lou: Simple Applique Monograms; cindylou; Feb. 16, 2009
• Quilt.com: Applique Basics