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How to Make an Applique & Sew It to a Kid's Shirt

Appliqué is an simple way to embellish a plain child's shirt. To make an appliqué, place one piece of fabric on top of another and sew it in place, or otherwise attach it. Use appliqué on clothing as well as decorative items for the home. The appliqué you apply to a child's shirt can be any shape you like. Make the project more complicated by using multiple pieces of fabric to make the design.

Things You'll Need

Freezer paper
Marker
Scissors
Fabric or felt scraps
Iron and ironing board
Shirt
Matching thread
Sewing machine

Instructions

- 1
  Draw the design you want to appliqué onto the freezer paper with a marker. Keep the design simple, such as a star shape, a heart or a daisy. You can draw multiple designs to create a geometric appliqué if you want. For example; draw several circles or squares of varying sizes.
- 2
  Cut out the shapes from the freezer paper with scissors.
- 3
  Place the freezer paper shape on top of the wrong side of the fabric. Trace all around the shape, adding a 1/4 inch. Cut out the fabric shape.
- 4
  Press the freezer paper to the wrong side of the fabric using a warm iron. Gently fuse the paper to the fabric.
- 5
  Fold the raw edges of the fabric over to the wrong side. Position the fabric applique on the shirt in a spot you like.
- 6
  Adjust the stitch on your sewing machine to the zig-zag or buttonhole stitch. Slide the shirt and appliqué under the needle of the sewing machine.
- 7
  Sew the appliqué to the shirt, stitching along all the sides of the shape.
- 8
  Make a small cut on the backside of the shirt, underneath the appliqué. Do not cut through the appliqué itself. Pull the freezer paper out through the cut and discard.

Sewing