Step One: Be Inspired
What's your child's favorite animal? Like a Font on Microsoft Word? Want a fun upcoming holiday shirt for your child? Love that Trunk Show shirt but just don't want to spend $45 for a cotton t-shirt? Saw something cute on your many online searches? Well guess what? You can do it too! Be inspired...
Step Two: Decide on Clothing
Shirt? Onesie? Dress? Jacket? Pants? You name it! Look for end of the year sales and consider your sizing so you get the most use out of the shirt. Short sleeve you can layer with longer sleeved underneath. I have come to realize that even though cheap and local, Old Navy shrinks quickly! I prefer Baby Gap and they always put odd colors on sale. However, we can turn a odd green into something fun...
Step Three: Creating your Applique Template
Be careful of the size of your template, measure before, during, and after so you avoid any frustrations. Use items around the house too to help with sizing. For this particular turkey template I used a Pyrex bowl and ruler.
Step 4: Cutting out your Template
You will then cut out your template. Be sure to put a mark on the top side of your template because when tracing on the fabric the top side will be placed on the fabric vs. facing up. Also, save these template for future use even for a bigger shirt next year. Consider only making one foot to save you time and just flip the template later when tracing.
Step 5: Picking Your Fabric
You get decide what color you use for your template. Who says a flamingo is pink and the sky is blue? Make it fun, use patterns, You Decide. Once you have selected your fabric, do iron to eliminate any wrinkles. Also, when buying your fabric do look at sample pieces on sale and only purchase 1/8 - 1/2 of a yard. Your width of your fabric does not need to be any wider than a child's shirt. This can get pricey if you do too much. Don't get carry away, a little fabric goes a long way!
Step 6: Wonder Under
Now that you have ironed your fabric DO NOT USE THE STEAMER AGAIN! You will dry iron the rest of the steps. Using your template as a sizing guide cut out a block of Wonder Under that goes around a template piece. Place the rough side of the Wonder Under against the back side of your fabric choice for that template, place the iron on top of the fabric and old for approx. 7-10 seconds with little pressure until the fabric and Wonder Under have sealed with one another.
Step 7: Cutting the Fabric
Now Cut out around the Wonder Under square and put aside any extra fabric for later usage. Place the template for that fabric on the Wonder Under and trace. Remember to put the top of the template facing down, it is reversed when tracing. Then, cut out the traced image and place on shirt and decide its temporary placement until all pieces are cut out.
Step 8: Setting the Applique
Now you will move the pieces to the side while you prepare the shirt. First iron the shirt to remove wrinkles, steam CAN be used here. Place a hand towel in between the shirt layers for protection. Take the white Wonder Under backing off of each template and place on the shirt. Nothing is permanent now, so you can still move templates as you like. Once your applique is in place, get a wash cloth ( I use the old baby ones), wet it in luke-warm water, wring out but not too much, place on top applique carefully while not moving the below pieces. Then carefully place the iron on top of a section holding without steam on high heat for 7-10 seconds for each section of the wash cloth ensuring that all sides have been set of the applique. Gently lift the wash cloth and all parts should be set on the shirt if not, repeat steps of holding the iron on top of the damp cloth for that specific area.
Step 9: Waiting
Now that your applique is set you will notice the moisture around and on the applique from the damp wash cloth. This is fine, but will need to dry before stitching around the edges. As you wait, consider your thread colors. Will you match? Will you use contrasting colors? It's your decision, I've done both and have enjoyed both.
Step 10: Whip Stitch
If you have a fancy sewing machine, congrats! This part will be fast! But if you don't and want a cute finishing boutique touch...follow me! Whip Stitch Time! The best way to describe how to do the stitching edges is with a YouTube video. I found this very helpful. Practice first on scrap materials too before beginning. My first applique (the ladybug) was a starter and I have quickly learned over time how hard I made something that was so simple. If you haven't done the whip stitch before you will soon realize how easy it is. Below is a link to better show you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kGyZDWZcA
They use needles to hold their fabric in place but remember your material is already set in place. You can also decide how visible you want your stitches to be shown. I sometimes do them drastic for accenting color and I have done them small when trying to hide them. I also use this same stitch when adding bows to my appliques. Another option.
Step 11: Enjoy!
Ta-dah! You did it! Look how adorable your cutie is in there very own mommy original. Be proud Mom!
(Picture to follow...still working on my stitching on the turkey)
