Wearables - For Project QUILTING 15.5

I missed Project QUILTING 15.4 challenge as due to some traveling. I was totally enjoying time away from winter in Michigan while teaching at AQS Quilt Week in Daytona Beach, FL. Although I was surrounded by thread, fabrics and sewing machines, time didn’t allow for even a tiny project. So glad to be able to join the group again for the 15.5 challenge.

The WEARABLE challenge offers so many options! Options included recycling a new item from clothing, creating a new garment, a clothing themed quilt or even visiibly mending a garment. So many choices….but I need something VERY QUICK!

A huge thank you to Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams and Trisha Frankland of Quilt Chicken for sponsoring Project QUILTING each season.

This project begins with a well loved tee shirt that is in need of a new purpose. This technique works best for single knit fabric and no side seams in the shirt. It was cut open to lay flat on my cutting mat.

A tapered wedge is cut across the width of the shirt. It is approximately three inches at one end and one-half inch at the other. Using a pinking blade in the rotary cutter gives the finished embellishment a more ruffled edge.

Using a straight blade rotary cutter gives the finished embellishment a smoother edge.

Beginning at the wide end using a long running machine stitch, sew down the center of the strip. A strong 40 or 30 weight thread for both the needle and bobbin works best. Begin and end stitching without backstitching or tying off. (Dark thread is used in example for demonstration only. Match thread to tee shirt color. )

Pull the bobbin thread to gather the strip.

Beginning with small end, wind gathered fabric to form flower embellishment. Stitch on back to hold in place.

Cut a circle of felt smaller than embellishment. Stitch pin to felt. Use fabric glue or hot glue to attach felt to back of embellishment. It will cover stitching on back and additionally secure flower fabric.

Small beads, sequins or a button can be stitched to the middle front.

Tee Shirt embellishments can be added to jackets, bags, hats and so much more. Another tee shirt saved from the landfill. I’m linked up to the challenge here.

Published by Sally Manke, Fiber Artist

Sally Manke's mission is to delight others with textile art that exemplifies her passion for joyful, creative expression through color and texture. She is a speaker, teacher, pattern designer, and fiber artist. Contact her to book a workshop or trunk show at this link. Visit her Etsy Shop at www.sallymanke.etsy

Sally is a brand Ambassador for BERNINA USA. All stitching on this project was completed on a BERNINA 790 PLUS.