This is the first-ever DIY Kit for our classic T-shirt Top.  Designed with the holidays in mind, this negative reverse appliqué Paisley pattern can be completed quickly, but has lots of detail.   The pattern for this Capped Sleeve T-shirt Top is included in Alabama Studio Sewing + Design and detailed instructions for construction can be found on pages 48-49.

Use our STUDIO STYLE DIY supplies to make your own or get the pre-cut and stenciled kit here.

(Buy three HANDMADE HOLIDAY DIY Kits and receive an additional kit of equal or lesser value for free. Simply enter the code HANDMADE2012 at checkout and specify your kit of choice in the comments section. We will include the selection in your shipment absolutely free.)

DIY PAISLEY T-SHIRT TOP

SUPPLIES

T-shirt Top Pattern from Alabama Studio Sewing + Design
2 yards of 60”-wide 100% organic medium-weight cotton jersey
1 spool Coats & Clark button craft thread
Ruler
Rotary cutter
Fabric scissors
Paisley stencil
Textile paint
Stenciling tools

Or purchase a pre-cut and stenciled DIY Paisley T-shirt Top Kit here.

Basic sewing supplies: pins, needles, embroidery scissors

Cut out your pattern pieces from your organic medium-weight cotton jersey for the T-shirt front, back, and sleeves. (Note that we chose the cap sleeve for our version.)

Cut one additional T-shirt front panel. This panel will become your appliqué.

When finished cutting, you will have one back panel, two sleeves, and two front panels.

Stencil one T-shirt front panel with our Paisley stencil and textile paint. Set aside to dry.

Once dry, pin the top, stenciled front panel to the bottom layer of the front panels with right sides of both layers facing up.

Following instructions for negative reverse appliqué found on page 99 of Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, straight stitch 1/8” inside the edge of the stenciled shape; then cut the top layer of fabric 1/8” outside the edge of the stenciled shape, leaving a ¼” sliver of top-layer fabric beyond your stitching line. (See detail photo above.)

After all of the stencil pattern has been embellished with embroidery and cut, construct the T-shirt by-hand using a double strand of button craft thread following the detailed instructions from page 48-49 of Alabama Studio Sewing + Design.

OUR DESIGN CHOICES

Fabric weight –Alabama Chanin 100% organic medium-weight cotton jersey
Fabric color – Italian Plum
Button craft thread- Coats & Clark color #41B Maroon (Burgundy)
Knots – When you start and finish a length of thread, double-knot on the inside of the garment.
Binding Stitch – Cretan Stitch (This is the stitch used to sew the rib-binding at the armholes.)