Spiffed up onesies
These are the results of a recent baby gift-making session. My first time to applique something. Here's how I did it, in case you want to do it, too. But I bet there are lots of really good tutorials out there somewhere if you need step-by-step pictures.
1. I walked up to the cutting counter at Joann fabrics and asked for something that would let me iron one fabric onto another and make it stick there. They stared at me blankly for a moment, then gave me a chunk of Heat 'n' Bond.
2. I kept the Heat 'n' Bond under my bed for 5 months. (This step is optional.)
3. I washed the onesies. And dried them, too.
4. I roughly cut out a small piece of pretty fabric containing the design I wanted, and a smaller-yet piece of HNB that would fit under the design, then ironed the HNB onto the fabric chunk, following the directions that came with it.
5. I cut out the shape I wanted.
6. I pulled off the paper backing, positioned it on my garment, and ironed it on.
7. I zigzagged around the edges with my machine. Done.
37 comments:
Hi Jessica!
I love your blog... I tried this recently with a child's tshirt- used your same method. I had a little problem because the heat and bond was starting to "unstick" by the time that I took the shirt over to the sewing machine... also, the heat and bond seemed to make the applique SO thick... Did you experience any of this?
They look great Jessica!
For Kelley - I haven't used Heat and bond but there are different brands of fusible webbing - try Wonder Under (not the heavy duty one though) or here in Australia we get another called Vleisofix.
These are so darn cute!!
I can tell you're not a quilter. *S*....we use fusibles all the time for appliqué.
Heat N Bond is a good one, but there are various types of it.
Heat N Bond Lite is what you want for a project like this. Then it won't be so thick. I like that brand much better than Wonder Under.
Cute onesies, btw.
I've found JoAnn's to be an amazing source for blank looks. ;D
Your applique looks amazing! Very cute!
Hi, Kelley. Mine stayed stuck down really well, for whatever reason. And I didn't think it ended up too thick. I guess that's kind of subjective, though. I can still crumple them up in a ball easily, or fold them in half. Maybe because my fabric was pretty lightweight? Or maybe there are different weights of HNB? This was the light one. But I don't have any kids, so maybe I'm not as sensitive to things like that since I don't have much experience dressing babies. I think I'd be comfortable wearing these. You know. If I were a little smaller. :) But I have no idea what happens when they're washed!
I also saw somewhere that you can just put the HNB around the edges of your shape with the middle part of the HNB cut out, so it just holds down the edges where you sew. Then the middle part of the design would stay thinner.
Thanks for the other suggestions, Sarah. Anybody else want to weigh in?
Oh. Sequana commented while I was typing my novel. (I got distracted by American Idol which is on in the background.) Thanks for your thoughts! Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about. I defer to all you quilters!
I really like the tree onesies...love the material. Thanks for the tutorial.
They look adorable!!
You make it sound so easy (especially step 2) but I find it really hard to both zigzag around an odd shape like that and to sew the front of an item without catching the back. Looks great, way to go.
way cute, great idea!
Very cute! I like the part where you kept the magic ingredient under you bed. Thanks for sharing.
Step # 2 is the best! LOL
I am on my "summer" vacation and reading craft blogs like candy! Glad I found yours!
I've had some heat n bond under my bed for about 20 years now...thanks for the tute, I will use it to add an embellishment on a bag. Devine inspiration etc....no which bed is it under I wonder??
I use steam a seam lite 2. It is wonderful and doesn't make the applique thick. It adheres well as you iron it down when you've positioned it on the onesie or tee as you like. I use a straight stitch most of the time because I like the fuzzy wear on the edges of my appliques. Very Boden.
You've got a wonderful site, Jess. I love all the helpful information and I read it daily for inspiration!
Kelly- I've got one explanation for why the Heat N Bond gets "unstuck". It might have been ironed too hot. I know it seems counterintuitive, but if you set the temperature too high, or iron too long, it just won't fuse as well. Also, if you set it too low or don't iron long enough, you can have the same problem. It's a fine line. Following the package directions obsessively helps (not one of my strong suits, I must admit).
Hi,
I'm really interested in what fabric those trees are.
I'm on a tree kick at the moment.
:)
I cut them out of some Japanese fabric. See here.
Another trick to keep the zig zag stitch even on top is to use stitch and tear underneath and tear it off after stitching. I usually have problems with tight satin stitching puckering from front to back and this helps a lot.
Lots of babies being born at my office. I know I'll try this out real soon. Thanks for the idea for a one-of-a-kind gift.
this is rad-I love the fabrics you chose.
I did somethig similar a bit back on the blog and they made great gifts!
and I got some great feedback in the comments about them holding up really well after washing, which I was worried about-
I am addicted to Heat 'n Bond. You are going to start appliquing everything!
Love the tree fabric as well.
those are adorable Jess!
you should put them up in shop ;)
Oh man! For some reason these pictures aren't showing up for me...
I'm stuck in suspense :)
The picture is not showing up, what does the onesie have on it?
i cannot see them, either, but would love to.
they sound fabulous.
Super Cute!
OH good they are showing up now.
So cute!
I just bought some cute fabric with chickens to do something similar. Fun!
oh cool! my hubby just bought me a sewing machine [i've been wanting one for a loooong time ~~ he finally gave in HAH!] and this would be a cool project to do! thanks for the tutorial! those onesies ar grreat!
Love it! Thanks for sharing.
wow, just stumbled upon this through a friend's blog.
these are so cute. i've been spending all my time working to knit gifts for my friends who are having children - this is such a great way to diversify!
Cute, cute.
If you use the s-t-r-e-t-ch stitch on your machine it works great, too.
Is there a trick for stitching around the applique on such a small piece without catching the back?
I don't know.... honestly it was quite awhile ago and I can't remember how I did it. It didn't seem hard. Anybody else want to weigh in on this?
I know this thread is old, but in case anyone is still reading, I think you are supposed to use the plastic foot (I don't even know what it is called) when sewing so that the fabric doesn't pull up.
Anyone know what I am talking about?
Jessica,
I have to tell you I was at work when I rad your instructions out loud to a coworker. e both laughed at loud. I especially loved the step that kept the Hand B under the bed for 5 months. So totally something I would do. Love it. Hugs Robin
hi! just found your blog! :) if i don't have a sewing machine. what do you recommend i do around the design? can i use needle and thread? :)
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