Shirt Applique: How I do it?

I love Appliques!

I have been sewing appliqued shirts for kids to give as gifts because I always wanted to give something  with a personal touch. I have read lots of tutorials in the net, but my resources are limited (e.g. haven't found  Heat and Bond or Freezer paper in any stores I have visited in Cebu -- these are used to bond the applique to the shirt, so it's easy for you to sew), so I did it the traditional way (no bonding). I just have to be careful during the stitching process, stop and adjust once in a while.

So here's my first ever tutorial (and hopefully not the last, hehehe!) --- Shirt Applique : How I do it?

01. Prepare the pattern for your applique using any sheet of paper or board.

02. Trace the applique at the wrong side of your fabric. Pattern should also be facing on the wrong side.

03. Prepare the coordinating embroidery threads.

Prepare the interfacing -- the thicker the better. This will prevent your shirt from moving and  stretching during the sewing process. Size it according to the applique.

04. Under the shirt, put a card board or anything that is stiff. This will help in aligning the applique to the shirt.

05. & 06. Put the interfacing under the shirt, making sure the applique and the interfacing is aligned.

07. Pin it.

08. Set the sewing machine. In my case: Stitch Length - 5 (longest); Stitch Width -  F (almost the nearest) and  Stitch type - 3 (zigzag stitch)

09. Position the needle on the outer edge of the applique, put down the presser foot and sew.

10.  Sew. Stop, raise the presser foot and adjust the shirt, when changing directions or sewing in a curve path.

11. After sewing, turn inside out and cut out the interfacing at the back of the shirt.

12. This is how it looks like when done with the cutting. 

 - Done -

Happy Sewing!!!