I have a boat load of projects that are either in the works or in the thought process, most of which are for little girls. Okay, like 98% of them. You’d never guess I have a little boy! Poor guy. So I thought before I finish any of those I’d better work on a little something for him.
He has a shirt that has been his favorite by far for two years. You read that right, two years. He looks a little awkward trying to fit into a 36 month shirt now so I decided to cut out his favorite element of the shirt – the motorcycle – and add it to a new one.
So easy, so fast, and it turned out great! Now I want to go digging through all of his old clothes for some more fun little projects.
By the way, he flipped. So so excited. Here is the how-to:
Supplies:
- favorite old shirt
- new shirt that fits (I bought his one size too big to get an extra year out of it!)
- all your sewing stuff
- iron
This is what I had to work with, plus a number 22 on the back.
I decided to use some of the words too, and I am glad I did. Just cut out around each element leaving enough room to sew a straight stitch. You could even use the fabric of the shirt to make some new words, or shapes….
Apply the heat and bond per the instructions on the packaging. My pieces would melt if I applied the iron directly to them, so I placed a shirt over the top on the final step.
Now just stitch around the pieces. I used a longer stitch length like a top stitch for a cleaner look, and a darker thread for a little contrast.
And Viola’! A new favorite shirt!
After I washed it, the edges curled up really nice, hiding any uneven cuts. It drowns him, so I am quite certain it will be hanging around for another two years.
A few things to remember:
- if there is backing on your pieces, take that off
- make sure to pre-wash the new shirt. If you don’t, it will shrink and the pieces won’t, not pretty.
- you can do a zigzag stitch for a fun look
- if the detail is screen print, place fabric in between it and the iron.
I linked this to the seven thirty three blog, lots of fun boy stuff going on! And to Talented Tuesday
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great idea. My boys definitely have t-shirts that would work for this project.
what a good idea!
Heck I have a ton of T-Shirts that shrunk or fit me weird with my post pregnancy body. I’ll rescue some of them for me. Thanks for the fun idea Hammer & Thread
So loving that portable chalk board you made…you’d better make a tutorial!
I am so excited to see this! I scored some plain gymoree shirts at a garage sale (brand new) for $.25 each. My uber picky 3 year old won’t wear them…but now I can take the stash of shirts I have been hiding in the closet and do a few makeovers. Thank you so much for sharing!
Ooo, I love deals like that! I need to do some end of the summer yard selling!
Your welcome!
Great job Destri, I need to try this with myself. he he he
I know, I already have been eying a shirt with pretty fabric flowers on it that I splattered grease on…hmmm, the possibilities!
what a great tutorial!
we have that shirt and my youngest is outgrowing it, I can’t wait to make it over!
WOW! Super smart to repurpose the shirt and let him wear it over and over!
I love this idea! Those appliques are way fun. Thanks so much, I’ll be linking.
That’s so cool! Love the idea and the fantastic result. Now I must try with my own ‘too smalls.’
GREAT idea! My son (and daughter) have several shirts they would hate to part with, no I can give them a fresh shirt, new design, but with the same fun elements!
And being a motorcycle driving mama, I love the shirt!
Thanks for linking with What are little boys made of?
I can’t wait to give this a try!! You are so smart!
SMILES!
This is clever, but I must be dense or missing something! I don’t understand the step, “Apply the heat and bond per the instructions on the packaging.” What packaging? I didn’t see anything with packaging listed in your list of needed supplies. It sounds like you have some sort of iron-on material to apply with the iron?
Yes, Heat n Bond is a brand of iron on adhesive. It comes in a roll and on the packaging are the instructions for use. It bonds the applique that you cut out to the shirt. Let me know if you have any more questions!