Over the last couple of weeks I have sewn up some of my favorite handmade gifts for worthy kiddos.  This time around I leaned on Comics inspired graphics as subject matter but over the years I have made multiple variations of these towel shirts.  They have taken on the forms of monsters.  They have displayed beakers for a kid science day.  I once made one of these sweatshirts for my kids’ swimming teacher with fish, bubbles and all.  The possibilities are endless with your imagination as a guide.  And do you want to know the best part: THEY ARE SUPER EASY AND INEXPENSIVE TO MAKE!

And because we all could use simple, inexpensive, handmade gifts that even teens like in our arsenal, I thought I would share my methods.

Supplies:

Sweatshirt or tshirt

Towels (old or new)

Thread to match your towels

Misty Fuse

Stick on Stabilizer (I used Sulky Sticky +)

Graphic Design for your shirt, Scissors, an iron, sewing machine and marking pen

Step One: Cut out the graphic design you will use.  Iron on Misty Fuse to the back of the towels.  Flip the graphic design outline so the front is facing the Misty Fuse side of the towel and draw around it.  Cut out the towel pieces you will use on your shirt.

Step 2: Place your cut out graphic over the fusible stabilizer and cut out the appropriate size.  Flip the shirt/sweatshirt inside out and peal off the paper.  Place the fusible backing on the inside of the shirt in the position you plan to put your graphic image.

 Step 3: Flip the shirt/sweatshirt right side out again and center your background graphic image making sure to position it over the stabilizer on the inside of the shirt.  Iron on the first background image then using a zigzag stitch with thread that matches the towel, zigzag around all edges.

Step 4: Repeat the last step with your top graphics and iron in place.  Zigzag using thread that matches your towel around all edges.  When all graphics have been fused and sewn in place use scissors to trim any frayed threads.

Step 5: Turn the shirt/sweatshirt inside out and trim or pull away the excess stabilizer.

Now wasn’t that easy?!  The one thing to remember with these towel shirts is that with time, the fabric can fray a bit and may need a “haircut” to trim them off.  After a few washes this is rarely necessary but I always tell gift recipients when I give them away.

 

Happy Creating.

 

Hillary