https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/melded-t-shirts • Posted by KMOM14
My son is in to car themed t-shirts and when I found one at the thrift store that was too small I decided to meld it to one that fits. (It looks a little crooked in the picture, but it is how it is hanging on the hangar).
My son is in to car themed t-shirts and when I found one at the thrift store that was too small I decided to meld it to one that fits. (It looks a little crooked in the picture, but it is how it is hanging on the hangar).
To get an even rectangle shape, I used a piece of scrapbook paper and drew with a pen around the edges, then moved the square to the left and did drew around the edged on that side to make a rectangle. You could use a circle a square or freehand it, depending on the design you want to meld onto the other t-shirt.
Cut out where the lines on the t-shirt have been drawn with a pen or Tailor's Chalk.
This step is the biggest time saver - instead of pinning and re-pinning to get the piece straight on the t-shirt you are melding the piece to, use HeatNBond on the edges. I cut approximately 1 inch strips of the HeatNBond and then on the wrong side of the t-shirt piece approximately 1/4 inch away for them edges. I placed it 1/4 inch away from the edges at it will curl up a bit on the edges and look more natural, more like a meld than an applique where you would just stitch or zigzag around the edges. I do not recommend using HeatNBond on the entire piece as it will make the finished product too stiff, unnatural looking and may even be uncomfortable. The HeatNBond it more to tack it down in place to it can be sewn without having to use any pins.
Using an iron set on medium to high heat (depending on the fiber content in the t-shirts - if polyester blend, go with medium heat, if both are cotton you could use high heat) and set on the strips for 30 seconds pull up, repeat until all strips have been irorned. Allow to sit until cool to touch (1-2 minutes) then pull off the paperbacking off of each strip.
Flip the t-shirt piece over to the right side and position it on the t-shirt you are melding it to. Repeat going around the edges and holding the iron in place for 30 seconds, then lifting and going on to the next edge until you have gone all the way around the t-shirt.
Using a sewing machine, stitch around the edges 1/4 inch from the edge all the way around and then you are ready to wear your creations!