Initial Tee Tutorial

Make this with me:

First, choose the letter style that you want on your shirt.  I printed mine from the computer at about 6 inches tall.  It fit really well on the little shirts.  The font I used was called curls.  I think it's pretty standard.  Print the letter (or freedhand) and cut it out:

Then, pick your fabric.  Make sure it looks good with your tshirt.

Next, iron on a paper-backed fusible webbing to the WRONG side of the fabric.  Make sure that you read the manufacturer's instructions for this, because they are all different.  With mine, you do NOT use steam for this step.

Next, take the paper template that you made and lay it UPSIDE-DOWN on the paper backing.  Trace around it with a pencil--directly onto the paper backing. 

Using very sharp scissors, cut the letter out.  Then carefully peel the backing of of the fabric:

Then, position your letter on the shirt, exactly where you want it to stay, and carefully iron it on.  The product I use requires that I DO use steam for this step, but all products are different I have found.
This is also a good time to add any other shapes that you would like on your shirt.  I added a small heart:

Next, turn your shirt inside-out and attach a tear-away stabilizer  right behind the applique.  You can attach it using pins, or I used a temporary spray adhesive that I had left over from a quilt project.

Now you are ready to sew.  Set your sewing machine stitch to a wide, close zig-zag in a coordinating color thread.  If your tension is even a little bit off, make sure that the bobbin thread is the same color.  Stitch all the way around the letter.  Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of a line of stitching!

Turn the tshirt inside out again, and CAREFULLY tear away the stabilizer.   Try to get it out of the small places, too.

To cut down on itchiness and make a more professional look, iron on a fusible knit interfacing to the inside of the shirt.  This will also help secure your stitches.  And that's it!  You now have your own initial tee!  You can now wear it, or add even more embellishment, like I did below, with the ribbon and button.

I can't wait to give these to the little flower girls!

Have fun making your own!  Or you might want to skip all that and just order them here!

Comments

[SHARLA PAXTON]

HELLO, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE WONDEFUL DIRECTIONS, I AM DYING TO MAKE ONE.IT'S SO NICE OF YOU TO SHARE YOUR TALENT. CAN I ASK WHERE YOU GOT THE FONT. I HAVE LOOKED ON MANY SITES BUT CANT FIND THE CURLZ TO DOWNLOAD. I NEED A P AND AN H IN THE LARGE SIZE. THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION. HAVE A GREAT WEEK:) SHARLA