How to Decoupage on T-Shirts
Decoupage comes from the French verb de coupe which means cutting. Materials are cut, assembled and fastened onto another material and sealed. The modern version of decoupage was introduced in Venice in the 18th century to create exquisite pieces of furniture. Intricate cut-outs were glued on to the background and then sunk on to the surface using many layers of varnish. Decoupage is different to a collage where materials such as paper are overlapped to create a design. Or applique where one or more shapes are fastened on to a larger background and the edges concealed with braid or embroidery.
Things You'll Need
- Table
- Iron
- Cut outs of various types
- Scissors
- Heat'n Bond or Bondaweb
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Sketch a simple design of the decoupage. Be inspired by looking at images on the Web and any old materials you have such as other old T-shirts or scraps left over from previous sewing jobs. All materials used should be similar in weight to the shirt for best results.
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2
Cut out shapes to suit the design. Start with something simple such as leaf shapes, flower petals or fruit shapes. You will want to try different materials and designs as your confidence grows.
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3
Spread the T-shirt flat on the table and iron out any wrinkles. Layer the shapes on the T-shirt guided by your design and iron them on to the surface using Heat'n Bond.
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4
Use the sewing machine to sew on the ironed on decoupage. This will fix it to the T-shirt and the decoupage will not come apart in the wash. Experiment with different colors and stitches if you have a machine with a variety of decorative stitches.
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Tips & Warnings
The decoupage may be too thick to sew easily by hand. If you do not have a sewing machine, try using Heat'n Bond Ultra to bond the collage together. It is strong enough to hold together without sewing for several washes.
Many glues and sealants are inflammable and may require ventilation and other precautions. Follow manufacturer’s instructions when using them.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
