Design Placement on a Shirt

For a basic t-shirt or sweatshirt with a single design, it is easy enough to center the design a few inches below the neckline. The exact placement will depend upon the size of the shirt and the size of the design, and also the type of neckline (the lower the neckline, the closer the design will be to the edge of the opening).

When marking for placement, you will spread the shirt flat. Just remember that the shirt will not be flat when worn. Much of the shirt will be wrapping around the sides and going over body parts. You want the design to be in front, but not drawing attention to a rounded belly or centered over the tip of a breast. If the shirt is for you, try it on, then pin or tape a paper template where you want to embroider the design. If the shirt is for someone else, use a placement guide (tomorrow's StitchFun News).

If you are embroidering a shirt that has a button placket, the design should be embroidered in the left chest area. You might also embroider a coordinating smaller design on the opposite sleeve hem, on the collar points or the cuffs. It is fun to run a border design down the sleeve. To do this with a purchased garment, open the sleeve seam for better access. Place the design a bit in front of the center of the side so it will be more visible from the front (about 1/2").

Next issue: more placement help

from Mary Jane Allen of Perfect Little Stitches

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