DIY Skull T-shirt Sweater

The skull features prominently in modern fashion.

The skull and cross bones has become a popular image in the clothing and accessory designs of Roberto Cavalli, Alexander McQueen and Ralph Lauren in the 21st century. While these designs are prevalent at fashion retailers throughout the world, it can be difficult to find a design you like at the right price. Fortunately, you can make your own t-shirt sweater and iron on skull design in a matter of hours.

Things You'll Need

• Sweater
• Iron on transfer
• Measuring tape
• Fabric chalk
• Sewing scissors
• Sewing pins
• Printer
• Iron

Instructions

1. Purchase a sweater in your size from a charity shop or clothing retailer. Purchase an iron on transfer from a craft or sewing retailer.

2. Lay the sweater on a flat surface in front of you with the front side facing upwards.

3. Measure 5 inches from the left shoulder seam down the sleeve of the sweater and mark the point with fabric chalk. Continue to measure and mark the 5 inch point all the way around the sleeve. Repeat this step on the other sleeve.

4. Cut the sleeves off the sweater at the point you just marked with your sewing scissors. Turn the sweater inside out.

5. Measure 1/4 inch from the raw edge of one sleeve and mark with fabric chalk. Fold the fabric over on this point and pin into place with sewing pins. Repeat this step on the other sleeve.

6. Sew around the sleeves of the t-shirt sweater with your sewing machine. Sew slowly and remove the pins as you go.

7. Connect to the Internet, open your web browser and navigate to your chosen stock photo website. Type "skull" into the search bar and press "Enter."

8. Browse the images and choose the one that you like the most for your t-shirt sweater. Right click on the image and select "Save As" when prompted. Choose a location on your computer for the image and click "Save and Open."

9. Open the paper tray on printer and place the iron on transfer on top of the paper. Click on "File" and "Print" in the image window. Click "OK."

10. Place your t-shirt sweater on an ironing board front side up.

11. Position the transfer on the sweater. Iron over the image for 3 minutes. Remove the paper backing from the image.

References

• USA Today: Trend That's a Real Head Case: Skull Skulks Way to Fashion Fad
• Shoe Blog: The Skull Trend is Not Dead Yet