Tutorial: Christmas Reverse Applique shirt

One of the great classes that I got to take at SPARK 3 was learning how to make reverse applique shirts from Amy Tangerine. The technique was so fun and so easy that I knew I wanted to use it to make a Christmas shirt for Maren. I purchased a red shirt from Target, and the fabric is scraps leftover from a vintage tablecloth that I cut apart a few years ago for another project.

For the shape, I knew that I wanted to trace a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter that we have. For reverse applique, basic bold shapes are easiest to work with. I also used a disappearing ink pen and some matching green embroidery floss.

The first step is to find the center of your shirt and mark it with a few straight pins. I actually ruined my first shirt when I 1) tried to just eyeball the center and 2) used a ballpoint pen instead of a disappearing ink pen. Let's just say that I'll be making for Maren a reverse applique Valentine's Day shirt with a BIG pink heart shape in the middle! So trust me, take the one minute needed and mark the center--you don't even need to use a ruler, simply fold the shirt in half, armpit to armpit.

Next, you'll trace your shape. In Amy Tangerine's class we used ballpoint pens, which will generally wash out if you spray them with a bit of hairspray or rubbing alcohol. I don't know what happened with the pen I used on that first red shirt, but it would NOT come out even though I treated it multiple times with hairspray, alcohol, stain pre-treater and even Carbona wipes. Head to JoAnn's with your 40% off coupon and buy a disappearing ink pen made for sewing.

Next, you'll need to flip your shirt inside out. You want your fabric scrap to be larger than your design, because it's hard to get it pinned precisely into place if it's too small. Secure the fabric scrap to the shirt using straight pins, taking care to only pin it to one layer.

 Now you'll turn the shirt back right side out and begin to sew. In Amy's class we used embroidery floss (all 6 strands), but for her shirts that she sells, she actually uses pearl cotton. I have lots of colors of floss so it's easier for me to just use that. Thread your needle with no more than a yard of thread and tie a knot in the end. Start coming up from the bottom so that your knot will be hidden on the back. Here is the CRITICAL part: you are NOT sewing on the lines you drew. Let me repeat that--you are NOT sewing on the lines you drew! You are actually making your stitches about 1/4" OUTSIDE of your pen line. Your pen line will later become your cut line. Continue sewing around the entire design. How long your stitches and how far apart they are is up to you. Once you come back to the starting place, make another knot and cut your thread.

Turn the shirt inside out again. Now you're going to trim your fabric about 1/2" outside your stitches.

Turn the shirt right side out again. You'll be able to see your stitches and your drawn shape. Now is the fun part--you're going to reveal the fabric!

Very carefully pinch ONLY the top layer of t-shirt fabric and snip it with your scissors, then follow your drawn line and cut all the way around. Sometimes, my stitches weren't exactly 1/4" inch from my drawn line, so I just take care to make my cuts evenly spaced from the stitches. Remember, any ink lines that show will disappear when you wash the shirt.

And...ta-da! Admire your cute reverse applique shirt! Maren wore this yesterday to her class Christmas party and program. When I dug through my cookie cutters to find the tree, I found a few others that would make really cute reverse applique designs:

I definitely think Maren will be sporting a bunny shirt for Easter, and Porter needs a shirt with that cool airplane shape! The best part about this craft is that you only need a tiny bit of fabric, so you can be creative. You don't even have to do a shirt--you can do a bag, apron, hat, or anything made out of fabric. This is definitely a craft I'll be doing again and again!

SPARK 3: Day two and a giveaway

On the morning of Day two of SPARK 3, we were all moving a bit more slowly than we had the day before!

Our first class was with the very cool Amy Tangerine, a successful fashion designer who has just made the leap into the scrapbook and papercrafting world. She was great! She taught us how to do reverse applique, one of her signature fashion treatments. It was so easy and fun and I loved it! Here's the shirt I made for Maren:

I figured it would be easiest to do a small shirt first. I can't wait to use this technique on more items! I definitely know that I want to make Christmas shirts for both of the kids using reverse applique.

Our second class that morning was stamp carving with April Meeker, who was also one of the SPARK hostesses along with Margie.

I had done some stamp carving a long, LONG time ago but never using lino cutters. I designed a 'thanks' stamp that I can stamp on the bottom of packing slips for my Etsy orders.

No idea why Blogger wants this upside down again. Grr! And hey--there's my felted soap!

I found stamp carving to be really relaxing and I definitely plan to do it more often. I already ordered more supplies!

After another delicious lunch (seriously, I never put a bad thing in my mouth the whole two days), we were treated to a very interesting Blogging panel, and then we attended our final class. This one was taught by Donna Downey, another mixed-media artist

She taught us how to use a very interesting art supply called pan pastels. They're different from stick pastels in that they don't contain any binder, so they are very intensely colored because they're pure pigment. I forgot to take a photo of my finished canvas, perhaps I can add one in later. I'd never even heard of pan pastels before that, so it was fun to try something completely and totally new and out of my comfort zone. I can't say that I see myself ever doing it again, but I really enjoyed it!

That evening we had yet another amazing meal, catered by the same company as last year's final dinner. They even brought back the ENORMOUS rose cupcakes from last year!

I wish there was a regular-sized cuppie in this photo for scale, because these are simply the most enormous cupcakes you've ever laid eye on. They're easily the size of those giant muffins you can buy at Costco, and then there is another 3 1/2" of frosting on the top in the rose and leaves! They are pretty darn spectacular. And because we're women, there was a whole other table absolutely packed with amazing desserts!

After dinner, we were treated to a wonderful, entertaining concert by indie artist Sarah Sample, who in a funny sort of coincidence, was friends with my younger brother in college.

Sarah is a very talented singer-songwriter. Her lyrics are really beautiful and thoughtful, and she can play the heck out of the guitar! I can't wait to download some of her music.

Honestly, I can't think of a single thing I would have changed about SPARK 3! Every detail was perfect, the teachers & classes were inspiring and fun, the decorations beautiful, the food delicious to the eyes and to the taste. I met beautiful, kind, warm, creative women and my cup of creative inspiration was filled to overflowing! Margie has promised that there will be a Spark #4, and as far as I'm concerned--she can take my money now!

One of the messages at the heart of every Spark gathering has been that we must share our *sparks* with those around us, so I have a little bit of Spark to share with you:

If you'd like a chance to win some of the goodies I brought home from SPARK 3, leave a comment on this post telling me something that you do that helps to *spark* your creativity! I'll draw a winner on Thursday morning.

SPARK 3: Day one

Last September, my mom and I had the opportunity to attend Spark No. 2, an amazing creative event in Utah. It was so incredible that it took me three whole posts to chronicle the awesomeness. When registration opened for Spark 3 earlier this year, the decision to attend again was a no-brainer for both of us!

I knew going into Spark 3 that things were going to be a bit different. Two of the original founders had stepped down and another woman stepped up to join Margie Romney-Aslett in putting on Spark 3. I knew that things would have a different feel and quite honestly, I wondered if they'd be able to measure up to Spark No. 2. It's not that I didn't have faith in Margie and April, but more that Spark No. 2 was so completely over-the-top, so awe-inspiring, that it was just a whole lot to live up to.

I shouldn't have been worried. Margie and April gave their hearts and souls for months and months and it was obvious! Just as in Spark No. 2, every little detail was attended to. The decor theme was 'Granny Chic', and warm textures of yarn and lace and fabric and thread were everywhere.

We started off the day by choosing beautiful  handmade nametags, each one different and each one a tiny work of art:

From there we moved into the large hall, which was truly spectacular yet again this year!

Yards and yards of crocheted yarn, trim and lace hung from the ceiling.

Chandeliers made from pattern tissue-covered paper lanterns and plumbers tubing hung throughout the room.

Each table had a centerpiece made from a doily-covered jar, a pedestal made from vintage china and a candlestick, a yarn ball, and a stack of old books with the covers torn off.

At each place setting was an absolutely beautiful journal and memory box from Paper Coterie.

Our first session of the day was a creativity lesson from the fabulous Mindy Gledhill, who had performed at Spark No. 2. She spoke about the stages of creation and sang a few songs, including one from her new Christmas album!

Our first class was taught by Emily Falconbridge, another holdover from Spark No. 2. Last year she taught us to use wool roving to make into felted wool beads. Confession: all of my wool is still sitting in its plastic bag in my closet! I had a hard time with the beads so I never finished them. This year's project was making a felted soap.

You use a bar of soap and wrap it with wool roving. Using hot water and soap and the motion of your hands smooths the wool over the soap and causes it to felt around the bar. You then have essentially a bar of soap and a wash cloth in one! We also got to try needle-felting a design onto the top of the bar of soap, something I enjoyed and would like to try again.

The second class was taught by one of my blog idols, Cathe Holden from Just Something I Made. I'm pretty sure I let out an audible squeal when she revealed a few months ago that she was going to be teaching at Spark 3! In Cathe's class we made these beautiful little wire nest pendants.

After a delicious lunch catered by Dear Lizzie, we hit our third class of the day, which was taught by mixed-media artist Christy Tomlinson.

We didn't know what to expect other than the project would be a collage, which made me a bit nervous. Collage (especially mixed-media) just doesn't come naturally to me and the collage class from Spark No. 2 was not my favorite. However, Christy's class ended up being so much fun and I'm absolutely tickled with the SHE art collage that I made!

It's totally different from anything I've made before, but I love it!

The last class of the day was a Junk Journal altered book class taught by Jennifer Jensen, an artist I've long admired. She has been designing in the scrapbook world for ages, and has always used vintage and antique objects in her art.

Our class materials were wrapped so beautifully! The theme of the book was metamorphosis so all of our supplies had the most beautiful butterflies on them.

That evening we had a delicious dinner catered by Plates and Palates, including a Lemon Tarragon pasta salad that was to die for! I found a similar recipe online from someone who frequents their restaurant and I'm dying to give it a try to see if I can recreate that goodness! We laughed that dinner was such chick food--spinach salad and pasta salad and rolls. :)

After dinner we were able to do several make-and-take projects provided by generous vendors. I made pretty earrings from Making Memories

I don't know why Blogger has decided to load this one upside down

This tissue flower was from 7 Gypsies and the yellow fabric flower from somebody else who I can't remember.

This one is upside down too. No idea.

It was a full, exhausting day but every bit as wonderful, warm, and inspiring as I hoped it would be! Stay tuned for Day 2...

Spark No. 3

Last September, my mom and I got Sparked:

Which sounds like a possibly illicit activity, but really was two days of friendship, creative inspiration, eye candy, real candy, and fun.

So it's no surprise that we're doing it again this year! A few things have changed (the date, the organizers, the number of attendees) but I'm confident that it will be just as invigorating and uplifting as Spark No. 2.

There's still room if you want to come too! This year's Spark 3 will be held October 21-22 in Lindon, Utah, which is a town just south of Salt Lake City. The Wasatch Front is simply gorgeous that time of year (amazing fall colors, warm days and cool nights) and I'm thrilled to have a good excuse to visit and spend time with my mom.

Won't you join us?