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T-Shirt Applique You Can Make in Minutes!

Make over a boring tee using your favorite fabric and some Heat n’ Bond. This DIY t-shirt applique is quick because it’s no sew!

Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never crafted or sewn before, you’ll be able to make this project. It’s a very easy adult craft.

T-Shirt Applique You Can Make in Minutes!

When the weather warms up I love to have a bunch of go-to tees that I can throw on. But, I was noticing that my tee collection was looking a little boring with just stripes, stripes, aaaaaaaand stripes. Time for some fashion crafting!

After seeing this adorable project for little ones, I decided it was time to give one of my striped tops a little makeover to give them some sass. I am not kidding when I say that this t-shirt applique project was easier than pie.

Not the kind you have to make either, the kind you get from the freezer section and put in the oven. So. Easy. You just need to be able to use scissors and an iron! Here’s how I did it:

Striped short sleeved t-shirt, Heat & Bond, and floral fabric

Applique T-Shirt Makeover

Supplies Needed:

Ironing Heat & Bond onto the floral fabric

1. Cut out the fabric into the shape you would like on your shirt. Cover it with the Heat ‘n Bond according to the package directions. (For mine this meant having the textured side down and the paper side up.)

2. With the iron on medium heat (no steam), press fabric and paper for a couple of seconds until bonded (the time + temp may vary depending on the kind of Heat ‘n Bond you buy so make sure you follow those directions first.)

Scissors cutting out the fabric design on Heat & Bond

3. Cut away the excess Heat ‘n Bond paper from your t-shirt applique.

Peeling Heat n Bond paper off the back of the fabric applique and ironing it onto a t-shirt

4. Peel off the Heat ‘n Bond paper.

5. Place fabric on the shirt shiny side down. Iron on medium heat (no steam) for a few seconds until bonded and you’re DONE.

DIY applique shirt
Striped t-shirt with an iron on fabric applique

So easy, affordable and the payoff is BIG. The possibilities for DIY t-shirt upgrading are boggling my MIND.

T-shirt with a handmade applique
Woman wearing a striped t-shirt with a floral applique on the front
Striped t-shirt with an applique on the front

Happy t-shirt making! You’re gonna look CUTE with your t-shirt applique. And be sure to come visit my sister and me as we blog about style, food, and the things we love over at The Pretty Life Girls.


If you enjoyed this craft idea, I’ve got another some other posts I also think you’re going to love: