T-Shirt Embroidery Tutorial

Steps

Watch our video for this t-shirt embroidery tutorial at the bottom of this post. Feel free to follow along with these written instructions for reference!

  1. Gather the tools and materials listed above.
  2. Cut out the image you want from the template and place it on your shirt. Note that the patterns in the template are mirrored.
  3. Trace the image with an iron-on transfer pencil directly onto the printed paper. Trace with firm, even lines, rather than using a sketching motion.
  4. Place the image face down in the desired location on your shirt. Make sure to pre-wash your shirt! With a press cloth on top, hold a heated iron (without steam) down for about 10-20 seconds. Temperature and length depends on the fiber content of your shirt. Check to make sure that your image has successfully transferred onto the fabric. Note that once you transfer a design, the markings will be permanent. They may fade over time and with washing.
  5. Cut a piece of stabilizer to fit over the entire embroidery hoop. Hoop the stabilizer with the grid side up and tighten.
  6. Score the stabilizer along the edge of the hoop with your needle and peel off the paper backing.
  7. Lay the shirt with the design on top and press gently onto the stabilizer until it sticks. Smooth out any wrinkles and bumps. Avoid stretching the shirt out too much as it can cause puckering with your finished embroidery.
  8. Split your embroidery floss in half (like we did), or use a full strand for a thicker line if desired. Knot the end and begin straight stitching onto your shirt, following the traced design. Make evenly spaced stitches that are not pulled too tight.
  9. After you are finished embroidering, gently tear the stabilizer away from the back of the design.

Tips

We found our basic shirts at Target, and after embroidering on them we realized that the less spandex in the shirt, the better for stitching. If you can, we recommend starting with a linen or 100% cotton shirt. As we mentioned, you will want to pre-wash your shirt before stitching! Once you get to step 5 in the tutorial, you will add a stabilizer to the fabric, which will stiffen it while you stitch. This is certainly helpful for keeping the stitches straight.

Explore More

For another inspiring embroidery project, head over to our embroidered tea towels. Learn more embroidery stitches with our embroidery basics tutorials, then start creating your own designs! Take a look at our membership page to start your crafting adventure with our community of creatives. We believe that creativity is empowering, and we would love to see the embroidered shirts that you are making for yourself with this tutorial. Share your photos with us on Instagram using #liagriffith so we can admire your makes! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for daily inspiration, and always feel free to tell us your project suggestions and requests in the comments below. Cheers! ~ Lia & Team

 

 Tools

  • Scissors
  • Embroidery Scissors
  • Embroidery Needle
  • 6″ Embroidery Hoop
  • Iron and Ironing Board
  • Pressing Cloth

 Materials

  • T Shirt of choice (non-stretchy material)
  • Sulky Tear-Away Stabilizer
  • Iron-On Transfer Pencil
  • Embroidery Thread