not-so-christmas-shirt tutorial

Apparently I’m sticking with the star shape this Christmas…

But I wanted to make all three of my babes a matching motif to wear on their shirts that may even last past the Holidays, (after all the work that went into it, I kind of think they should.)

With what I came up with, I was very pleased, as it’s a little bit rockerish/classic/not too girly when used in cool tones for my boys…

So, pull out your supplies and get with it! I’m sure you have TONS-O-TIME right now and just can’t wait to stitch yourself silly…I personally needed the relaxation this week at night, so here’s what I did. 

What you will need: 

Scissors (I use a pair for fabric and a pair for paper so they don’t dull so quickly)

Paper

Pen

Felt (two coordinating colors of choice for each star design)

Embroidery Floss (again in contrasting or coordinating colors of choice)

Plain shirt (prewash and dry)-I found mine at Target. 

The star I am drawing below (or an ornament to get you started with your own template)

Sewing Hoop

Feel free to use my final drawn star (below) as your own template, but here, I will show you what I did to get mine. 

I took the same ornament I used for the garland and once again, used it as shape inspiration. I traced it onto the paper with a pen. Once you have drawn the outer shape, follow a line from each point, to a line on the opposite side, making it travel all the way across.

These will be the lines on which you cut. See where I’m going with this? Continue until you have a fully drawn star. 

As you can see, it doesn’t have to be perfect. So, if you want your own template, then do what I just did, or feel free to print out this photo above and use it as a guide.

Note: I ended up keeping my points sharp as seen below, after I revised what I was doing. Points ended up keeping the shape unified and easier to join. You’ll see what I’m talking about as I cut. 

Cut out your star. 

Take the two colors you wish to coordinate with, and stack. Trace the star on the top color. (This will make the shapes easier to fit together if they are cut together.)

See? That easy. Traced. 

 

I freehanded this part, but the main reason you need the paper template is so you may copy it onto your felt. Feel free to use a ruler to get your lines straight, but as long as they are semi, you’re good to go. The paper is kind of like your practicing point, because I found all those lines a bit confusing. 

Still using your original paper star as a template, complete the lines on the felt. Then cut the outer shape, with the two pieces of colors you intend to coordinate with, layered together. (But remember, even though my original star shape had curved edges, and I transfered that to my felt, I decided NOT to keep the curved edges when I cut.) The star is now pointy. You can do curved. I’m just sayin. I think it makes for easier placement later. 

VOILA! My cut, rough, ugly looking star. 

Side note: DO NOT TO THE FOLLOWING. DO NOT GET CARRIED AWAY SINGING CHRISTMAS SONGS, AND CUT OUT THE REST OF YOUR STAR, PAYING NO ATTENTION WHATSOEVER TO WHERE THE PIECES MAY FALL. THEN TRYING TO PLACE THEM TOGETHER AGAIN LIKE SOME PUZZLE FREAK WHEN ITS EASIER TO START ALL OVER AGAIN. CUT THE INSIDES CAREFULLY! DO NOT DO WHAT I DID IN THE PHOTO BELOW. CUT one section at a time. placing each section carefully. 

DO NOT DO:

DO do. (stop giggling):

following the lines on the tricky sections, cut the larger ones first. Because you drew this star with ink, FLIP both stars, so they will fit together seamlessly without ink showing. 

flipped. Your stars should now both be divied up into five parts. Grab each coordinating star after you have flipped both, and layering again, cut down the middle. 

I won’t lie. I confused myself a couple of times on this thing. But do you see what I’m doing? start alternating all the colors, until you have two stars with every other color, matching but mirrored reflections of one another. If you followed the template, your stars should match up quite evenly. 

Get your hoop on. 

Pick a cool color. 

Get your stitch on. 

(of course this can also be done via sewing machine, but I thought it looked kinda cool and was a bit more relaxing while perched on the couch at night finishing these bad boys up…) 

Pat yourself on the back. Your hands will cramp. You will hate me. but you will be OH so proud. 

Tada!

I could eat his cheeks. 

Now put them on your little boogers so you can rock around the Christmas tree…and they can drool chocolate on them and never wear them again after all your hard work…hurray for all those under appreciated extras. And double hurray for the opportunity to do them.