How to Customize a Shirt Sewing Insert
Customize your worn or plain T-shirt with a custom insert design. Make an off-the-shelf shirt a one-of-a-kind fashion statement through the use of custom inserts. They are fun and simple to create. The styles are only limited by your imagination. Mix and match your ideas for a style that is you.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Shirt
- Mirror
- Fabric pencil
- Scissors
- Fabric
- Embroidery thread
- Embroidery needle
- Sewing thread
- sewing needle
- sewing machine (optional)
Instructions
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1
Sketch your T-shirt design on paper. Keep the design simple. Geometrics are best.
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2
Put the T-shirt on and stand in front of the mirror. Mark the exact location you want to place your fabric insert. Take the shirt off.
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3
Choose fabric for the insert and cut to size needed for your design.
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4
Sew the insert to the inside of your shirt with the print side touching the inside of the shirt. Sew all the way around the edges. Turn shirt right side out.
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5
Cut desired shape from the shirt fabric only. Be sure you do not have the insert fabric in the scissors.
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6
Fray the edges of the shirt. When cutting a T-shirt, the edges will roll instead of fraying.
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7
Embellish the shirt with embroidery thread. Placed in a running stitch around the insert.
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Tips & Warnings
Cut hearts, round holes, squares or triangles. Any shape is acceptable. Let your creative side guide you. Use bright colors inserted into a black T-shirt to brighten the wardrobe. Add rhinestones, studs and jewels to your shirt with a jewel setter or fabric adhesive. Add your name or doodles to the shirt with fabric paint that comes in a squeeze bottle with its own applicator. Be sure to place a piece of cardboard inside the shirt before you paint, otherwise the paint will seep through.
Dark print inserts will show through a light color T-shirt. Wash your shirt before applying the insert or cutting the shirt, due to shrinkage.
