How to Make a T-Shirt Applique

Have you ever seen a tshirt at the store with a fun design and thought, "I could make that?" Here is a way to create great-looking tshirts at home without patterns or a sewing machine. With a trip to the fabric store, a little bit of patience and some crafting know-how, you'll be making your own tshirt appliqués in no time.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• a blank tshirt
• the fabric of your choice
• a pencil
• stencils (optional)
• fabric scissors
• HeatnBond Ultrahold (1 roll)
• an iron
• an old towel
• needle and thread (optional)

How to Make a TShirt Applique

1. Pick the tshirt you'd like to work with. It should be pre-washed and 100% cotton for best results. Make a trip to the fabric store and find some fabric you'd like to work with. Make sure to pre-wash the fabric so it will not run onto the tshirt after you've attached the applique.

2. Trace the design of your choice onto the fabric with a pencil. You can use stencils if you don't want to draw your design freehand. Cut around the design with sharp fabric scissors, allowing about 1 inch of fabric around each side of the design.

3. Put an old towel on the floor or ironing board, as the next step can sometimes get a little sticky. Put your fabric design on top of a piece of HeatnBond Ultrahold and trace around it with a pencil. Cut the Ultrahold to the same size as the fabric, place the rough side on the back of the fabric and flip both pieces over.

4. With a hot iron, press the waxed paper side of the HeatnBond Ultrahold, pressing it into the fabric. This should take about 30 seconds. When the fabric is completely cool, peel the waxed paper off the back of the fabric. The side where the paper was should now be clear and glossy.

5. Place the fabric, glossy-side down, where you would like it to be on your tshirt. On a flat surface, like the floor or an ironing board, press the fabric onto the shirt for 30 seconds. When the shirt is cool, your tshirt will have a new design.

6. Reinforce your tshirt appliqué to make it last longer. Sew around the perimeter of the design with a needle and thread before washing and the appliqué will last through many years of washings. If you choose not to reinforce the appliqué, make sure to hand wash only, as the shirt will be less durable.

Tips & Warnings

• Get ideas for appliqué designs online or in craft books

• You can decorate your designs with sequins, beads and other embellishments. Just sew on or use fabric glue.

Resources

• Joann Craft and Fabric Store