REVERSE APPLIQUE {on knits} TUTORIAL

One of my favorite applique techniques is reverse applique.  Even better – reverse applique on knits.  The reason, because knits don’t ravel.  Yea!

This is so easy, even your dog could do it – well maybe help you.
 
All you need is a t-shirt, and second piece of t-shirt fabric (possibly from an old t-shirt) and something you want to applique.

I’m using the number 5 in an athletic font.  It has been blown up to font size 350.  Any simple design will work.

Step 1:

Place the design onto your t-shirt and trace with a removable marker.  I’ve used a water soluble marking pencil.

Step 2:

Cut a piece of fabric to be placed on the inside of shirt a little larger than the design.



Step 3:

Pin under-fabric to the back of the design.




Step 4:

Straight stitch on top of the design outline.  Since this is knit, I am going to straight stitch using a ball point needle.  However, you can do a zigzag or other stitch if you prefer.



Step 5:

Trim away the excess fabric on the under side.  Be careful not to cut into the design.


Step 6:
Cut inside the stitching line and remove the fabric.  Go s-l-o-w-l-y when cutting.  It would be very easy to cut all the way through.  I am using some pointy scissors that curve up at the end. 

That’s all there is to it!  Once it is washed and dried, it will look even better.




Perfect for a little boy on his 5th birthday!