There are shirts, and then there are shirts that elicit compliments and approving smiles. Perhaps you have a beloved shirt, hoodie or jacket that has just lost its pizzazz. It takes only a little time and a little coordination to add unique embellishments out of common felt to liven it up and give it not only new life, but also new meaning.
The cutting required can be grade school level. This project requires accurate sewing, but not a complex use of the machine. The ideas, however, can be any range of awesome. From a simple heart shape requiring one color to a star galaxy that may require a number of colors and shapes arranged precisely, to anything in between. It could even be a team or family logo. It’s possible to use the same technique to label your garment with a significant word or name. The choice of designs is yours, and that’s a big part of the fun.
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Materials
Flat working surface
Fabric scissors — a large pair works, but small ones are more maneuverable for small pieces
Fabric stick pins
Computer and printer with white paper preferred, but the pattern could be hand drawn
Sewing machine, preferably with straight and zig-zag stitches
Two to six 8-by-8-inch squares of medium weight felt, different colors
Thread chosen based on the colors of the felt pieces, the same composition as the garment (e.g. wool thread on a wool jacket).
Flat working surface
Fabric scissors — a large pair works, but small ones are more maneuverable for small pieces
Fabric stick pins
Computer and printer with white paper preferred, but the pattern could be hand drawn
Sewing machine, preferably with straight and zig-zag stitches
Two to six 8-by-8-inch squares of medium weight felt, different colors
Thread chosen based on the colors of the felt pieces, the same composition as the garment (e.g. wool thread on a wool jacket).
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
Begin with the idea. Find or create the design on the internet, scan in an image, or create one. Consider the patches separately (in the example, the heart v. the sun). Break the patches into elements (e.g. the heart and the wings).
Begin with the idea. Find or create the design on the internet, scan in an image, or create one. Consider the patches separately (in the example, the heart v. the sun). Break the patches into elements (e.g. the heart and the wings).
1. Print or draw a sheet containing each patch.
2. Cut out each patch from the paper.
3. Place the patches onto the work surface, and choose the best arrangement.
4. Cut out each element from the papers.
5. Choose the color for each element of the patches.
6. Pin the patterns onto the color of felt desired
7. Carefully cut out the elements in the felt as close to the lines as possible
8. Sew together the elements into their patches
2. Cut out each patch from the paper.
3. Place the patches onto the work surface, and choose the best arrangement.
4. Cut out each element from the papers.
5. Choose the color for each element of the patches.
6. Pin the patterns onto the color of felt desired
7. Carefully cut out the elements in the felt as close to the lines as possible
8. Sew together the elements into their patches
Pro Tip: Some drawings may not have clear multiple parts, for instance the lips shown are drawn with only a line to distinguish the top from the bottom lip. To add definition, a second colored piece was fashioned to give dimension to the lips. The division in the lips could also have been indicated with a darker line of thread sewn onto the felt. These contrasts can be powerful design choices that add a professional look to the finished product.
9. Pin the patches to the garment.
10. Carefully sew around the edges of the patch. Use a straight stitch for simple connections and a zig-zag for excitement.
10. Carefully sew around the edges of the patch. Use a straight stitch for simple connections and a zig-zag for excitement.
Pro Tip: While it is usually best to find thread that closely matches the color of the patch, some designs can be made to pop using a contrasting color or one that is a few shades darker than the original.
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