T-shirt Mashup

Step 7 More Info (optional)

For this shirt, I had a large, ugly, green image I wanted to replace with a smaller cooler image from a smaller shirt. the smaller shirt had a tiny logo on the back that I cut out but didn't end up using. This one was a bit problematic because I didn't have a lot of space above the motorcycle image to balance the space below it, because the image was printed quite close to the original shirt's neckband.

After some playing around, I came up with a shape that is kind of like a modified highway sign that I thought was appropriate for this biker pic. I'd have liked the image to be a bit lower down but this was acceptable and I simply didn't have any extra space to work with. Also because of the tightness of the space and the fact that the shape is not made of straight lines, I placed the pins along the stitching line instead of perpendicular to it. I had to take each pin out as I sewed; if you do this make sure the pins are all facing the same direction, away from you as you sew, because it is very hard to take a pin out when the sewing machine presser foot is in the way.

I didn't sew this as carefully and ended up with stitching that was too tight. I fixed this by not cutting the ends of the thread off short when I took it out of the machine, and just scootching the fabric along the stitching line until I reached a stitching end. This is easier to see pix of than read about.

Comments

[Kitten Kaboom]

There's also a product sold at fabric stores by Sulky called "KK2000" (that # might not be exactly right, but it's a small, white, aerosol-ish can) that I've always used for this same type of modification. You spray it onto the back of your cut-out piece and it gets really sticky. Stick your piece on and sew - no pins needed. Within either 28 or 48 hours (I'm moving and my can is packed away somewhere...) the Sulky stuff just dissipates into the atmosphere and is gone forever. It's great for all sorts of things. Also, I sometimes like to sew the edge with a zigzag stich of a contrasting color to make it even more thrown-together, handmade looking or whatever. I'm always trying to explain this to people and you've done a great job of posting it here! Thanks!

[rachel]

I haven't heard of that before, it sounds really useful. Does the needle get the stickiness on it at all? I once sewed through something, glue or tape, that gummed up the needle and it was a real mess. Even so, I'm gonna have to get some and try it, maybe the Sulky people have solved this. Thanks for the tip!

[sadtrapofgravity]

You could also try Stitch Witchery (sp?). It's a fusible interfacing sold by the yard. You iron the two pieces of fabric you want to stay together with the stitch witchery in between and it's enough to not only keep your fabric from slipping when sewing, but indefinitely. I use it for applique, so sort of the same idea. But keep in mind that it will tend to feel like a patch, since it's thicker (maybe not the most appealing). This is probably what I'll end up doing with my torn-up/stained/too small shirts... You trim after you sew it up??