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This is one of the earliest reverse appliqué stencils that I attempted and has become a classic around our office. The Eagle stencil from Dover Publications works up quickly or you may choose a different stencil, like the Clematis Flower. Follow the instructions below or purchase a do-it-yourself Eagle package from our online store. Supplies: Sustainable Cotton t-shirt– recycle one from your closet or purchase a new one Scrap jersey fabric as large as you choose to make your Eagle Eagle stencil X-acto knife  Poster board or stencil film Cutting mat Spray mount Textile paint Kraft paper Embroidery scissors #9 Sharp Needles Thread Straight pins If you purchased a package from our online store, skip forward to Step 3. Instructions:
1) Prepare and cut stencil There are many options for stencils. You may choose to use ready made stencils which are available at local art supply and craft stores. Alternatively, there are some companies that will make any stencil to order. Or, you may choose to have the ultimate freedom and cut your own stencil. To make our Eagle, you may purchase the Animal Silhouettes stencil design book from Dover Publications. You may increase or decrease the size of your stencil to suit your chosen T-shirt. (Our Eagle stencil is roughly 12.8in x 14.8in.) Most photocopy machines and centers offer this option. Choose a piece of poster board or felt that will a border of at least 4” around your Eagle graphic. Attach the photocopy to either the poster board or felt using a light dusting of spray mount, making sure to center the design inside the 4” border. This will help you keep from getting the textile spray paint on other areas of your T-shirt. Using an X-acto knife and a cutting mat, carefully cut away all of the black area which will leave a negative imprint of your Eagle. Be sure to cut exactly on the line that you remove the entire Eagle pattern from your stencil. 2) Stencil transfer Place a piece of
butcher paper in the middle of your T-shirt between the front and the back. The
paper will prevent any of your stenciled areas from soaking through to the back
layer of your T-shirt. Lay out T-shirt on a flat surface in a well ventilated
work area. Place your Eagle stencil on the T-shirt in the appropriate position.
You may choose to spray a light coating of Spray Mount on the back side of your
stencil to help keep your stencil stable. Using a can of textile spray paint,
carefully paint stencil onto T-shirt, making sure that you have covered the
entire stencil area. Remove Eagle stencil and put to the side. Leave your
painted shirt in this well ventilated area to dry, which should take
approximately one hour. Be careful to read and follow all instructions that come
with your textile spray paint. Some paints need to be heat set with an iron to
make them wash-fast! 3) Add the Reverse Appliqué fabric
Carefully pin your scrap jersey fabric on the inside
of your shirt behind the painted stenciled. Make sure that your
grain lines
are running in the same direction (vertically) and that the face of the
fabric scrap is on the fabric back of your T-shirt. Placing the fabric scrap
this way ensures that your fabric face will be seen after trimming away your
Reverse Appliqué. Some people like to turn the shirt inside out to get the
scrap fabric to lay perfectly flat. 4) Stitch
Thread your needle, double the thread and tie a double
knot at the end. Leave a 1/2" tail on your knot. Begin stitching one of the
stenciled shapes on your Eagle stencil by inserting your needle up through
the bottom Reverse Appliqué fabric and through the back of your shirt so
that your knot is not visible on the outside of your shirt. Using a
straight stitch
(running stitch), you will stitch around the first shape. Knot off at the
end of this shape where your knot began and then move on to the next shape.
Knotting off each and every individual shape will ensure that you do not
lose the stretch of your T-shirt once your project is completed. As you
work, make sure that your knots are tight, your stitches do not get too big
or too small (we recommend stitches 1/4 inch in length), and that you start
and end each shape with a knot. 5) Cut the Reverse Appliqué
Carefully separate the 2 layers on the inside of each
shape and clip through the
top layer
only using Embroidery scissors. Insert your
scissors into the clipped hole and trim away the entire inside of the shape,
being careful to work 1/8” away from your stitching line. When you have finished
cutting all of the shapes, turn your T-shirt inside out and trim away the excess
fabric on the inside of your design, being careful to always work 1/8” from your
stitching line. Trimming the Reverse Appliqué fabric on the inside of your
T-shirt ensures that your fabric will lay flat and not bunch up after washing.
Your Eagle shirt is now finished! |
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