Expert: Angela - 11/17/2001

Question
Hi. I'm planning to cross stitch a design on a t-shirt as a gift and was wondering how to finish it off. I am guessing that I should use some kind of fusible interfacing on the inside of the shirt. Is this correct? Would I just use a piece about the same size as the design and iron it on when I am finished stitching? Thanks so much for offering to answer questions.  

Answer
Hello, Terri. :)

I would suggest using tear-away interfacing a little larger than the design.  Here's how to do it:

1.  Center the waste canvas (you can use either 8.5 count or 14 count) on the t-shirt and secure with pins (cross wise, in a + fashion and on all 4 sides).  Next, baste the waste canvas where you have the pins holding the canvas down (this will keep the canvas from moving at all).

2.  Next, on the wrong side of the t-shirt, center and pin the tear-away interfacing.  Again, do as above with the interfacing as you did with the waste canvas.

3.  Stitch your design.  Don't go through the actual threads of the canvas as you'll never be able to pull the canvas out when you've completed your work.

4.  After stitching your design, place a damp cloth on your project and canvas to moisten the waste canvas threads.

5.  Next, taking a pair of tweezers, gently start pulling the canvas out one strand at a time.  This takes a while, but it sure is worth it at the end.

6.  When you have done that, and after the project is dry, turn the t-shirt inside-out and begin to tear away the interfacing.  This will only tear until the stitching.

7.  When you have done that, place an old rag or something around the right side of the project, and spray some Scotch Gard to protect it.  Wait until it's dry.  On the interfacing side, place an old rag around the back end of the project and spray with spray adhesive.  I find that Elmer's works for this.  This will protect the threads from coming out during wear.

8.  DO NOT wash in warm or hot water as this will melt the adhesive.  DO NOT dry in hot dryer.  Hang to dry or air dry in the dryer.

I hope this helps you.  If you need further assistance, please let me know. :)

Sincerely,
Angela :)