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Because the witches of The Children’s Museum Guild celebrate Halloween all year long, in 2008 guild witch Sarah Adams came up with an idea to make hip, trendy Halloween shirts that Guild fashionistas could wear all year. These custom-made, Halloween appliqué t-shirts have become a Children’s Museum Guild Haunted House wardrobe staple and now Sarah is going to share her secrets to making this adorable addition to your wardrobe.
Design
Start with the basic Halloween symbols like a pumpkin, ghost, bat or skull and crossbones. Images can be found on-line, in kids coloring books or, if you are super crafty, draw something yourself. Look for what’s trending—like vampires or zombies—to be “in the now." For the guild witches, this could mean getting some inspiration from the current year's Haunted House theme!
Start with the basic Halloween symbols like a pumpkin, ghost, bat or skull and crossbones. Images can be found on-line, in kids coloring books or, if you are super crafty, draw something yourself. Look for what’s trending—like vampires or zombies—to be “in the now." For the guild witches, this could mean getting some inspiration from the current year's Haunted House theme!
Supplies
You'll need a T-shirt. A basic cotton, crew neck t-shirt works great. Sarah finds great t-shirts at Target. Next you need appliqué paper with a sticky back, available at your local craft store. While at the craft store, buy black, orange, white, green, or purple fabric in a variety of textures and designs and pick up some embroidery floss. Lastly, you need a sewing machine.
Directions
- Make an appliqué design. For a unique look with more visual interest, make layers to the appliqué using different fabrics to give it more edge.
- Trace appliqué onto appliqué paper and cut out.
- Remove the backing and iron traced appliqué onto the shirt—this will hold the design in place as you sew.
- Sew on the appliqué using a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch.
- Add detail stitching with embroidery floss.
- Done!
Quotes
Quotes also make fun appliqués. Sarah has used “witchy woman,” “good witch” (front) “bad witch” (back), and other quotes that show off personality!
Sarah’s Advice: “Keep it trendy and funky and you will always be in style!”
