Embroidered Cactus T-Shirt
Ever wanted to know how to embroider on a t-shirt? Ever wanted to know how to make an embroidered cactus? Want to see how easy it is? Then this is the video for you. Did you know that you cant just embroider on a t-shirt and everything will be rainbows and butterflies?
Visual learner? Scroll to the bottom for the step-by-step video tutorial.
There are a couple of things you need to do to get it looking store-bought, and in the video, I'll show you how. I used my iPad to trace the cactus I drew onto my t-shirt using a couple of awesome apps. I used Procreate to draw the cactus and LightBox Trace to get it on my t-shirt.
Supplies
T-shirt: I used a simple Gildan V-neck from Michael’s, but any t-shirt will work.
Tablet or iPad: Optional, for designing your cactus sketch.
Disappearing Ink Fabric Pen: This pen will help trace your design onto the shirt and will wash away after laundering.
Embroidery Hoop: A double-sided hoop works well for this project.
Needle: A basic embroidery needle.
Pliers: Helpful for pulling the needle through thicker areas.
Scissors: For trimming threads and cutting fabric.
Felt Fabric: White fleece is preferable if you're using a white t-shirt, as it reinforces the fabric for easier stitching.
Embroidery Thread: Use green for the cactus and other colors for the pot as you prefer.
Step 1: Create or Download Your Cactus Design
If you can draw a cactus freehand, feel free to skip this part. For uniformity, I used the Procreate app on my iPad to sketch a simple cactus design and saved it as a JPEG. You can also use any drawing or graphic design app you’re comfortable with.
Open your drawing app and sketch out the cactus design you want.
Export the finished design and save it on your tablet.
Step 2: Trace the Design onto Your T-Shirt
Use an app like Lightbox Trace to display your design in the exact size you want. Lock the screen so you can trace over the design without shifting.
Lay your t-shirt over the locked screen, with the fabric pen in hand.
Trace your cactus design onto the shirt. Make sure the lines are visible but light enough that they won’t be distracting as you stitch.
Step 3: Prepare the Fabric with Fleece Backing
Since t-shirts are stretchy, they can distort your stitches without reinforcement. To prevent this, we’ll attach pieces of fleece to the back of each design.
Cut fleece squares just slightly larger than each cactus design.
Position each fleece square behind the cactus tracing on the shirt.
Place your t-shirt into the embroidery hoop, ensuring the fabric is flat but not too tight.
Step 4: Prepare Your Embroidery Thread
Embroidery thread typically comes in six strands. For this project, splitting it into three strands makes it easier to work with and keeps the stitching from being too bulky on the thin t-shirt fabric.
Split the green thread for the cactus into three strands.
Thread your needle and knot the end.
Step 5: Begin Embroidering the Cactus Outline
For a neat, defined look, start with a backstitch to outline your cactus.
Secure the fleece backing in place by stitching the outline of the cactus with a backstitch.
Continue around the entire shape, keeping stitches even for a consistent outline.
Step 6: Fill in the Cactus with a Satin Stitch
To give the cactus a full, solid look, use a satin stitch to fill in the center.
Work in rows, stitching closely to create a smooth fill.
Ensure each stitch runs in the same direction for a clean finish.
Step 7: Embroider the Pot
For the cactus pot, you can use either a satin stitch or a backstitch, depending on the level of detail you want.
Outline the pot first with a backstitch for definition.
Use a satin stitch to fill in the center of the pot.
Step 8: Trim the Fleece Backing
Once you've finished stitching, trim the fleece backing close to the stitching. Be cautious not to cut through the t-shirt fabric itself!
Step 9: Wash Your T-Shirt
After completing your embroidery, the water-soluble ink from the fabric pen can be washed away. Simply run your shirt through the wash, and the ink will disappear, leaving just your beautiful embroidery.
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