silhouette applique tee

'tis the season to be sewing. i've almost finished making my Christmas projects and here is an easy one you can whip up for a quick gift.

it's fun for kids and adults and it can be as simple {beginners} or elaborate {sewing vets} as you want. you'll need:
-basic sewing supplies
-sewing machine, thread, and jersey machine needle {about size 80/12}
-glue stick
-blank tee shirt {pre-washed and pressed}
-jersey knit scrap* {also pre-washed and pressed}
-simple applique template

*jersey knit is basically t-shirt fabric. it's a little lighter in weight than other knits and comes in many prints and colors. if you find one that is particularly slinky you can beef it up by ironing on a light weight interfacing to the back.

1. cut out your template on the lines.
place it on your jersey scrap and trace with a water/air soluble fabric pen.

2. rough cut around your design leaving a generous border surrounding.

3. turn over and gently dab glue to the back
being careful to stay within the lines of your design.

4. place on your tee and smooth down scrap to adhere glue.
add a few pins to make it secure.

5. change your machine's needle to a jersey one. sew scrap to tee stitching directly on the lines.
it helps to start at the bottom of the tee with neck closest to you and turn the sleeves inside out.
be very careful not to tug or stretch while you sew - you don't want puckers.

6. i used a triple straight stitch which goes back over itself two more times.
this makes the stitching more visible, but you can also use a slightly heavier thread.
press again using stream.

7. trim fabric close to stitching leaving about a 1/8" border.
be oh-so-careful not to cut your shirt. you'll be so mad if you do.

8. voila! you are done. there is no need to finish the edges since knits don't fray.
depending on how wide of a border you left, the edges of the applique will just roll in the wash.
if the glue made your shirt a little stiff, that will come out in the wash too.

i've made a few for my boys featuring their latest obsessions. i can't wait for these to become their fave tees. i'll have to post pics after they open these beauties Christmas morning.