How to Transform a Tee Shirt into a Fashion Statement with Patches

Got a drawerful of tees that are oh-so-tame? Transform those basic tops into a fashion statement with patches. Using a sewing machine, iron or needle and thread, you can have a new look in 30 minutes or less. Unusual patches can be found in discount stores, sewing shops, the dollar store and even Goodwill. The patches pictured were found at SAS Fabrics, a discount fabric outlet in Phoenix.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plain colored tees
• Patches, either iron-on or sew-on type
• Dressmaking pins
• Sewing machine OR
• Iron and clean folded towel OR
• Needle and Thread

1. Select a plain, short-sleeved tee like the ones pictured. Choose a patch to use. If it's an iron-on patch, plug in iron and heat to high. Gently run iron back and forth over tee shirt, then position iron-on patch over area. Place a clean folded towel over patch and press iron over for 30-45 seconds. Remove, check patch for adhesiveness and if necessary replace folded towel and place hot iron on top for another 30-45 seconds. Your shirt is ready to wear.

2. 
   Tee Shirt with Machine-Stitched Patch

   If you're using a sewing machine (my preferred method), use dressmaking pins to position patch in place. Use a straight stitch and sew around edges of patch to attach to tee shirt. Remove pins. Your shirt is ready to wear.

3. If you're hand sewing, select a patch that's not an iron-on type (check by looking at the back of the patch, it should be just fabric, without any glossy adhesive backing). Position patch and use pins to hold in place. Use needle and thread and stitch neatly around the edges of patch to adhere to shirt.

4. To launder, turn tee inside out and wash and tumble dry as usual.

5. 
   Basic Tees - Transformed

   If patch becomes loose, reattach with sewing machine or stitch by hand. Don't attempt to re-iron an iron-on patch to a tee.