T-Shirt Floral Appliqué Tutorial

Nothing like having my blog mentioned on Patternreview.com to light a fire under me to get back to blogging. If you remember, sometime last March I made a t-shirt and decorated it with flowers like you see in RTW all the time for a BIG price tag. I decided to do this myself and then promised I'd do a tutorial. Drum Roll Please. . . . . . . . . . . .

Floral Appliqué Tutorial

Leaves

Using knit fabric that is either matching or contrasting to your t-shirt, cut long narrow leaf shapes by folding fabric in half and cut a long strip wider in the middle and tapered to a pointed end. It can be a straight strip since it will be shaped later.


With matching thread and a long stitch length, sew a single row down the center of each unfolded leaf shape. Gather the stitching loosely to make the leaves. Pull the threads to the back and tie off securely.

Round Flower

Cut two different size circles and stack them. Next, sew a straight stitch in a circle inside the smaller circle of fabric. It doesn't have to be perfect.


Gather these threads so that a small bubble is formed in the center of the flower. Pull the threads to the back and tie securely.

Petal Flower

For the shaped petal flower, fold the fabric in half and then in half again the other direction. Cut a modified teardrop shape so that when the fabric is opened, it will have a four petal shape. Make two of these--they don't have to be exactly alike.



Stack these shapes, rotating one so that the petals are off-set. Then fold the flower stack in fourths again and sew a few stitches across the bottom point. The threads can be tied or backstitched.


Once the flower is opened back up again, a jewel can be sewn into the center.

Arranging

Arrange the flowers and leaves in a pleasing manner on your top and sew them down to the t-shirt neckline by hand.