DIY Project: How to Make an Appliquéd Shirt for People with Limited Sewing Skills

Submitted by nicole on Fri, 06/03/2011 - 10:36

Let me preface this tutorial by saying I am not a seamstress. Whenever I spend time at the sewing machine, I spend more time cursing and pleading for cooperation than actually sewing. My straight lines are never actually straight. I stopped my one attempt at quilting when I figured out I can't even cut a straight line. So if I can do this project, anyone can. Really.

The entire style of the Tykki-dyw butterfly party took shape when I found the Dab of Jazz line of fabrics.

I was completely inspired, and wanted to use the fabrics wherever possible, including on the birthday girl's outfit. I sewed a cute little tiered skirt (the one pattern I have and use again and again, because I actually know how to do it, and it doesn't require actual straight lines to look cute), but I needed a top to finish off the outfit. I love those adorableappliquédshirts you can buy from Etsy, but of course I'd waited until too close to the party to be able to order one using the Dab of Jazz fabrics. Panic! I would need to sew.

I turned to my tremendously talented friend Eva, of Bijoux Baby Crafts: Sew forth and Sew On. She gave me the perfect tips--using materials I already had in my house--to be able to pull off a beautiful butterflyappliquédshirt that matched the rest of the party decor perfectly.

To make anappliquéd shirt, you'll need:

a blank t-shirt
scissors
freezer paper
pencil or pen
decorativefabric
iron
sewing machine or needle and thread
rhinestones and glue (optional)

1) I wanted the butterfly on the shirt to match everything else at the party perfectly. I used the same fabrics I used everywhere, of course, but I wanted the shape to match as well. Paula from Frog Prince Paperie had made exceptional printables inspired by my fabrics for the party, so I took one of her butterfly shapes from the invitation, and printed it out on paper. I cut the shape out, and set it on the shirt to test the size. Just right.

2) Next came the brilliant tip from Bijoux Baby Crafts: trace the shape of the butterfly on the dull size of freezer paper.

3) Iron the freezer paper on your decorative fabric. The shiny side of the freezer paper should be touching the right side of the fabric.

4) Now that the fabric has been beautifully stabilized, cut out the butterfly shape. Don't remove the paper yet.

Look how perfectly the shape can be cut! I was seriously impressed with myself at this point.

5) Pin the fabric shape to the shirt, so it won't wander while you sew it on. The paper is still on, and should be on top.

6) Now sew that bug on! I used a sewing machine...badly. That machine is not my friend. Maybe because I never gave it a name.

I didn't dare try a button stitch or even a tight zig zag right at the edge. I know my limitations. Instead, I just used a straight stitch and figured my kid will outgrow this thing before the edges become an issue. I'm all about "good enough" for this project.

7) Once the shape has been sewn on, tear off the freezer paper. To cover up my less-than-exceptional stitching, I glued on Swarovski rhinestones.

A little sparkle is always a good thing, anyway. Here's a little Tradewind Tiaras review as a bonus tip: A lot of people use E6000 glue for applying rhinestones, and it has its place, but I almost always choose Aleene's Jewel-It glue. It's much easier to apply, doesn't have that noxious smell, and glues very securely while remaining flexible. I get my Aleene's Jewel-It at Michael's, so it's probably available in any major craft store. Excellent product.