Shamrock Shirt Tutorial

It's that time of year again when that little mischievous green guy known as the leprechaun celebrates his day.  I love St. Patrick's Day and am part Irish.  No, I'm not just saying that for the convenience of the holiday.  Insert smiley face here.  In our house we celebrate by wearing green, and eating corned beef & sour kraut.  Well, to make sure you and your kids are wearing green and don't get pinched...  here is a great tutorial that is very easy and inexpensive to make.  Here is what you will need:

Materials Needed

-1 Green Shirt: I purchased mine at Walmart.  These are the cheapest I've found and are cut to fit a girl nicely.  Only $3.47.  Yes, for all of you Target lovers out there, I did check Target and I couldn't find a girls basic green shirt.)
-Nylon Lime Green Tulle: 1/2 a yard will leave you with left over tulle.  Only $.75.  You could also use a soft green or white.
-Fabric Marker
-Thread To Match The Tulle
-Scissors
-Cardboard
-Pencil


Step 1:
Find a picture as a reference to draw the leaf of a clover.  I found this site: http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/st-patricks-shamrocks.shtml

Cardboard Shamrock Leaf Template

Step 2:
Draw one of the shamrock leaves on cardboard keeping in mind you will have to size the leaf according to the size of the shirt you are embellishing.  (Smaller shamrock for a smaller child.)  Cut out one of the leaves of the shamrock out of the cardboard as a template.

Trace Leaf Template onto T-Shirt

Step 3:
Trace the leaf template with your fabric marker.  I tried a fabric pencil too, but the marker was much easier for me to use.  Do this 3x's.  Eyeball it and make sure your clover is looking like a clover. Don't forget to hand draw the outline of the stem of the clover.

Creating Tulle Ruffle

Step 4:
Next, cut your tulle strips 1" wide.  Ruffle the strips.  Sew the strips in the middle of the tulle and pull one of the threads to get the tulle to ruffle.

Outline Shamrock and Pin in Place

Step 5:
Take your ruffled strip and follow the outline of your shamrock.  Pin it while you go.

Sew Tulle in Place

Step 6:
Sew tulle in place. Continue to do this around the entire shamrock.  I had four rows of the tulle.  Yours might vary depending on the size of your shamrock.

Here's to not getting pinched.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hi everyone!  I've moved to artzycreations.com.  Check out my new website.  I am always producing new material so please check it out and follow me there.
Many Thanks,
Melanie