![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05207.jpg)
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05231.jpg)
I love embellishing little t-shirts for my kids. It’s great when they’re a light color and easy to add to it with a little freezer paper and paint. But sometimes you want to add a little something to a dark shirt. So here’s how I do it!
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05242.jpg)
You’ll need a t-shirt (I picked up mine at Target for $5), a scrap of white knit fabric, a small piece of Heat n Bond, fabric paint, freezer paper, an iron, a sewing machine (or needle and thread). For these shirts I used my valentine’s heart and ice cream cone designs.
My valentine was inspired by a little felt heart I found at Jo-Ann’s.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05239.jpg)
Start with a small piece of knit cloth in white
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05087.jpg)
Iron on the back a piece of Heat n Bond (an iron on adhesive with a paper backing).
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05092.jpg)
Turn it over and add your freezer paper (already cut out to your desired design). See how to do that (and more) here. I sometimes add little pencil marks to the paper side of the freezer paper to the small pieces so I don’t accidentally iron them onto the iron instead of the fabric.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05099.jpg)
Apply your paint.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05111.jpg)
You can easily do two colors too.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05115.jpg)
Once dry, heat set the image.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05166.jpg)
Trim off any excess material from around your applique.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05175.jpg)
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05180.jpg)
Remove the paper backing, leaving the iron-on adhesive exposed.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05177.jpg)
Place the iorn-on applique on your shirt and iron in place.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05181.jpg)
Sew a quick line around the applique to ensure it will stay put.
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05191.jpg)
And you’re done!
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05198.jpg)
![sweet applique](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC05201.jpg)
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [11 Feb 12:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
I just heart freezer paper. Good for SO many things 🙂
This is great! Thanks for the tutorial!