latest made by me

Have you ever held onto a piece of clothing because you just weren't ready to let go? It just hadn't had a long enough life? 

I had a t-shirt once. The print was sweet, but those armpit stains...

not so much...bummer.

Enter t-shirt number two...hmmm. 

Inspiration. 

Ever heard of reverse applique? Want to learn how to let your favourite print live on?

Follow me.

First: two t-shirts: one printed, one plain.

Next cut out the elements of the print you wish to use.

Turn your plain t-shirt inside out and lay your printed piece of tee, printed side down in position. Pin like crazy to the front of the plain shirt...be careful not to catch the back of the shirt with your pins ;) Tip: a piece of cardboard, slipped inside the t-shirt as you pin, will make pinning to one layer only, a breeze.

When possible, always use a ballpoint needle in your machine, when sewing t-shirt material.

Your next step is to simply machine stitch, following the outline of your print. You don't have to too precise. Some free flow sewing is allowed and will, in fact, add interest. You can see I've been very liberal when "following" my original print.

Now roughly cut around your sewn print, removing excess fabric. 

No need to be too perfect!

Turn your t-shirt right way and out and begin cutting away your plain t-shirt fabric, inside the sewn lines/shapes you have created. I would recommend using small, needle nosed scissors for this part. Be careful not to cut your printed fabric underneath. I chose to cut very closely to the lines...about 1/8" or less. 

It's your preference.

 Here is the finished t-shirt. Neat huh?!

So simple.