Lollipop Shirt Tutorial-Two Ways!

My daughter and I love to sit together with the Lands End Kids catalog that I get in the mail and circle the things we like with a marker. I know it's pathetic, but we enjoy it. When it gets to the graphic tee section, without fail she will circle anything with sweets on it. The caramel apple shirt, the ice cream cone shirt, the lollipop shirt. So, I thought I would make a lollipop shirt of her own! I ended up making two different versions, one for Paige and one for her little friend Brooklyn. (The cute face below.)

Both versions are quick and easy and can be made with small scraps! Yay! Brooklyn's is made with scraps of old t-shirts.

And Paige's version is a swirly reverse applique. A bit of ribbon and tulle finish them off!

To make a reverse applique lolly:

1. Cut a scrap of fabric slightly larger than your design and pin it to the inside of the front of the shirt with the right side facing down.

2. Turn the shirt right side out and use a sewing pen or quilter's chalk to draw a swirl on the front.

3. Sew the fabrics together along the swirly pattern.

4. Use sharp scissors to cut in between each layer of swirly stitches.

5. Trim away extra as needed as evenly as possible. (Gently slide scissors backward slightly as you cut for a more even cut.)

6. Pin a few inches of ribbon to lollipop, folding under the edges, and sew on with a ribbon or tulle bow on top.

The curled-up edges probably won't appear until your shirt has gone through the wash. (Or not at all if it's ribbed knit.) And don't worry about the unfinished edges; they won't fray!

To make a scrappy lolly:

1. Cut .5" strips of t-shirt knit in three different colors.
2. Draw your lollipop onto the front of the shirt with a sewing pen or quilter's chalk.
3. Pin the first color on and sew it to your shirt along the drawn lines.
4. Pin and sew the next color right next to the first.
5. Repeat for the third color.
6. Finish by sewing on a few inches of ribbon with the raw edges folded under and a ribbon or tulle bow.

A couple of do's and don'ts...

DO: take your time sewing on the scraps of knit. Instead of racing like a mad woman to finish it, ending up with weird stitching....like I did. :O)

DON'T: use a dark fabric under a light shirt for the reverse applique. The brown on Paige's shirt shows through a little on the outer edge unfortunately. Oh well. :O)

I hope you enjoy them! 

Makes me want candy. :O)

Have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Love,

Disney