I am totally obsessed with sardines!! They are trending big time. I have a fish keychain from Ruby Star Society, the best goofy doormat featuring a full tin of them (which my husband loves), and my favorite t-shirt is from H&M. I even found a candle at Anthropologie… and I want so much more. That obsession led me to start making some fish templates for us! I’ve already made some fish-themed charity quilt blocks and have big plans for more projects—so stay tuned. To officially kick off my sardine obsession here on the blog, I wanted to show you how I made a t-shirt that’s now fighting my H&M tee for the title of “favorite.” It features a Scrappy Fabric Patch made with batting, and it is just SO cute.
This project is fun to make. I had to share it with you so you can make one too! I’ve even made a time-lapse video that shows the full process. You can watch that, or read through this post for step-by-step details. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below!
Supply List for the Scrappy Fabric Patch
Used to apply the patch on a t-shirt:
- Batting (Hobbs Batting is my favorite)
- Fish templates – grab yours in my shop
- Fabric scraps
- Spray basting
- Yarn
- T-shirt
- Freezer paper
- Text file (for yarn-writing words)
- Wash away stabilizer
How to Create My “Spill the Sardines” T-Shirt
- Trace and cut your fish template from batting.
- Spray the top of the fish batting with basting spray.
- Layer it with fabric scraps—start with larger strips directly on top of the batting, then add skinnier strips on top.
- Trim the layered fabric back down to match the fish-shaped batting.
- Spray the back of the patch with basting spray.
- Insert a piece of freezer paper inside the t-shirt, slick side facing the front (this prevents the fabric from shifting while you work).
- Iron the fish patch onto the t-shirt.
- Cut a piece of plastic large enough to cover the patch, plus about 3 inches around it.
- Use a large basting stitch to secure the plastic in place.
- Quilt densely over the patch—this helps keep all those tiny scraps in place.
- Sew around the fish, securing the edge so the batting is hidden.
- Use the text file to help you write with yarn on your shirt. I’ve used this technique before on my wedding shower tablecloth! Click here to learn more about that.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial! I would love to see what you make. Share your Scrappy Fabric Patch on IG with the hashtag #scrappyfabricpatch and tag me @brownbirddesigns.
Sending you big hugs!!
P.S. I’m hosting the Drift Quilt Along in July—sign up now to sew along with me!
