Use a Teeny-Tiny Embroidery Pattern to Stitch a Great Big T-shirt

You know how I'm always saying you can play with the size of your embroidery patterns? Well - here's a prime example. As soon as she saw the finished dogs my daughter squealed, "Ooooooh! That one is soooooo cute! Will you please stitch it on a T-shirt for me?" Before I could even answer her she had pulled a blank T-shirt out of her closet and chosen the thread color she wanted for the dog. I enlarged the pattern on the computer (you could use a copy machine if that's more convenient). 6" tall seems to be a great size for all T-shirt embroidery. I transferred it to the T-shirt using one of my handy-dandy Sulky transfer pens (I love how they work on T-shirts). I backed the area to be embroidered with stabilizer (do NOT skip this step if you're stitching stretchy fabric - there's a how and why video here).

update: Since writing this post I have discovered (and fallen in love with) The Magical Embroidery Stuff. It's what I use now for all T-shirt embroidery. Pattern transfer and stabilize in one easy step - you've got to love that! See how it works in this video.

Enlarging the pattern made the lines really thick (remember - I was sizing up from a pattern that was less than 2 inches tall). I used a full 6 strands of thread to get a nice heavy backstitched line. I satin stitched the eyes and attached a little fleece nose with simple running stitches. An hour and a half later I had one finished T-shirt and one very happy daughter. :-)

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Best,
Wendi