Patch me if you can

Time for patches!

Super easy - super fun :)

Materials:

- Tank (Mine are Hanes from Wal-Mart for $5)

- Piece of paper in the shape wanted

- Scrap of fabric for patch

- Matching thread

- Scrap of iron on fusion

- Scrap of stabilizer

- Sewing machine

Directions:

Step 1: 

Find a tank and choose the shape you want for your patch. 

(The less small curves the better)

Step 2: 

Cut out your shape on a piece of paper. 

I just printed the Arkansas out at the size that I wanted.

Step 3:

Take your patch fabric and iron on fusion. This will make it a tad bit stiffer.

Step 4:

Pin the paper to your fabric and use it as as stencil to cut around.

Step 5:

On a left over piece of fabric play with your stitch length using a zig-zag stitch. This will be for around your shape. You will want it pretty tight but not too tight. On the left you can see beside the 0.3 that the stitches are really really tight. At the bottom you can see the 0.5 where the stitches are looser, which is too loose. On the right you see the 0.4 where it's not too tight and not too loose. You will have to play with your machine to see what length you want. The width I used was 2.5cm and length 0.4cm.

Step 6:

Take your shape and pin onto stabilizer. This will make it really "patchy" because it stiffens it more, but don't worry, it dissolves when you wash it. Using the stitch you found from step 5, stitch the fabric onto the stabilizer keeping the center of the foot on the edge of your fabric. If you have a lot of curves, you will have to pick up your foot and turn in tiny increments at a time. It can be tricky but do-able.

Step 7:

Now that the stabilizer is sewn on, carefully rip off the excess by holding onto the stitches and gently pulling the stabilizer away. Trim with scissors if needed.

Step 8:

Pin your patch to wherever you want it on your shirt. 

I recommend trying it on to make sure you like the placement.

Step 9:

Sew it on to your shirt using a straight stitch and sewing right along the inside of the zig-zag stitch.

Step 10:

Wear! :)