Snaffled a lovely child’s Marimekko t-shirt at the Chiswick Boot Sale last weekend, only to find small hole in the front. So rustle up plan to hide it in a reverse applique ‘M’. I get busy while the little one slumbers and take
- one vintage pillow-case, from a Secret Thrift Shop up north
- one reverse applique tutorial - gazillions out there!
- fusible interfacing from stash
- embroidery thread from Brick Lane
and …
- choose a design – I use a capital ‘M’ from the Eames stencil font. I measure out 10cm on a piece of paper, pull the ‘M’ up on screen and enlarge it until it is about 10cm wide, then trace directly from the screen.
- draw ‘M’ onto the WRONG side of interfacing. Note: I get this wrong so my final ‘M’ is actually the wrong way round. I realise this WELL past the point of no return – but am saved by M’s symmetry – phew!
- fuse the interfacing to the WRONG side of the applique fabric
- cut out ‘M’ +3-4mm
- pin to the WRONG side of the tshirt. Make sure I cover the hole!
- sew with a straight stitch around the ‘M’
- on the RIGHT side, handstitch a running stitch in embroidery floss along the machine stitch line
- snip out the tshirt fabric 3mm inside the embroidery line
Next time I do it I will
- make sure my letter/pattern is the right way round – FIRST time
- attach interfacing more carefully – it took me three goes because I ironed too vigorously and smooshed up the interfacing
- make sure my design actually COVERS the hole – I cut one ‘M’ way too small
- consider purchasing an embroidery hoop – it would make the handstitching easier.
Once done, grapple with the thorny challenge of a small, determined model, who is capable of wriggling, running and roaring independent movement.
Thanks Daddy for taking over on the camera!
