3.17.2010

Birthday Shirt Tutorial

I've made it a tradition to make a numbered birthday shirt like this one for my daughter each year. With her birthday fast approaching this Sunday, I thought it was high time I got my butt in gear and make one for her third birthday. While I was at it, I figured I would snap some pictures and put together a quick tutorial for those of you who might be interested in making one too.



Materials:
Blank T-Shirt
Coordinating fabric
Matching thread
Double Sided Fusible Web
Marker
Scotch Tape
Scissors
Iron
Sewing Machine

Once you have all of your materials, find a suitable font on your word processor with the number of your choice. Enlarge the font on the screen to the desired size. The font I used was Hobo set at 600, which measured approximately 3 inches across by 5 1/2 inches tall.


Take a sheet of your doubled sized fusible web and scotch tape it right to your computer screen. With a steady hand, trace your number right onto the fusible web's transfer paper. I find this method much easier than printing a gazillion copies to obtain the desired size and it also saves on paper. Go Green!


After tracing your number, rough cut the fusible web around your number. Do not cut on your trace lines like I did! It's much easier to cut both fabric and fusible web at the same time than to cut the fabric after you've already cut your web.  Remove the top layer of transfer paper and lay your number backwards on the wrong side of your fabric and iron according to manufacturer instructions. 


Now you can cut your number out on your trace lines and you will end up with a nice iron on applique that looks something like this:


Remove the transfer paper, position your applique on your t-shirt and iron into place according to manufacturer instructions.


Now head on over to your machine and set it to a appealing zig-zag stitch. I think mine was set at 3.5 stitch length and 1.0 spacing. Being very careful not to stretch your shirt as you sew, zig-zag close to the edge all the way around your number.


Remember to secure your stitches at the beginning and end. Snip your loose threads and you're done!


Whip up a cute little flower embellishment, hand sew in place and bribe cute little three year old to stand still long enough to take pictures.



Let me know if anything is unclear and I'll do my best to help. If you decide to try this for yourself, I'd love to see photos - just include the link in your comment. Happy Sewing everyone! :)



P.S. If you like what you see here, I'd love it if you'd share!

9 comments:

Dee said...

What a cutie! I have NO sewing skills...but bought a sewing machine a week or so ago...and still haven't used it. LOL! I'd LOVE to make one of these..if I can figure it out!

Rhyah-- said...

No worries, Dee! My first sewing machine sat in storage for a year before I mustered up the guts to use it. Now I love sewing SO much I wish I would have started sooner! Best of luck in your sewing ventures!

Monica said...

Has it really been a year already? I remember the shirt you did for her 2 year old party. My time flies! I love the tutorial and will definitely be making some of these in my future!

Aminat said...

Oh what a cutie she is..Thanks for the tutorial. My girl turns 5 tomorrow also..

Jingle said...

She is adorable and so is that cute shirt!

Danielle Moss said...

That is SO CUTE!

Live Simply Mommy said...

You are certainly talented with a sewing machine (and I am jealous!)

I just saw that you have a link to my blog and I am so flattered. (I wanted to email you but I couldn't find your contact info) But thank you and I am excited to catch up with your blog- I definitely love what I have seen so far- a creative mom after my own heart!

The Parker's said...

Thanks for this. I have been looking for a numbered shirt for my daughter for a while and finally decided to give up, because she does not fit in the sizes that are available. I was searching on how to do this and your website cam up. So I am going to give this a try. Thank you so much. The ones you have done are very cute, I just hope I can make one just as cute.

katrina said...

I know this is an older post but thank you so much!! I made my son a shirt this evening and your tutorial was perfect! Thanks so much!

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