I have a technical question, with embroidering a new neckline on jersey fabric. My husband has this tshirt 'thing' and I can't tell you how many colored tshirts in his closet. When he buys more, and runs out of room, he tosses 10-15 upstairs to me. I'm all for that, as they are usually almost new when he gives them to me. But....no matter how much I might like the color, they are men's tshirts. While I have some neckline designs, they are mostly to compliment an existing neckline. What I would like to do is change the round neck to a V using a cutwork design. I've got a nice cutwork corner that, when turned to the left a few degrees, becomes a 'V'. What I would like to do is have this the location and shape of the new neckline. Can I cut all the way down on the cutwork (from way up in the neck all the way to the INNER bottom edge of the cutwork area? Can the stitching from the design support the neck? This is a simple ladder type design with a small square where the two arms of the 'V' meet. Will this work? Or, do I need to have some sort of hem or border just above it? While I can do that, I don't want to cut it in advance and be off a little (so that my 'V' is off center from the 'V' on the design). If I cut it after, I don't want the hem to show through in the cutwork area. How would you handle this? Can the stitching on the design support the neckline by itself? I can cut it after and do a very narrow rolled hem that will not show through, but think the design would make a great edge if it is capable of doing so.

by maobfh 11 Feb 2012

This is an odd answer to the question, but it is the reality. My husband has MS which is becoming quite advanced. (He's had it for about 20 years) With this (advancement of the disease and loss of abilities), he has developed some unusual anxieties. One is (I am guessing, because I don't hassle him about it since it is clear it is an anxiety) that he will not be able to do laundry some day and so wants to always have plenty of shirts. And so he orders them. Would I do his laundry? Of course, and fold it, now. But.....it is a new quirk he has developed the last 2 years and if it helps him manage from day to day, and doesn't bankrupt us, then I leave it alone. It is difficult when you age and become more vulnerable. I won't say more so for a man, because we girls are afraid of losing some abilities as well. But....he'll buy another 20 and go 'oh dear, there is no room in my closet' and take out some that were already hanging to make room. I think, also, that since he is now shopping online vs at a store, he doesn't SEE how many shirts he has gotten until the package arrives. If you're carrying them, it becomes much more clear how many you've grabbed. The short answer? It makes him feel better, so I let him. We're fairly simple, we have a few good suits and a few formal pieces for when it is necessary. A few pair of jeans. I know how to take care of fabric, so it lasts. And otherwise we wear only shorts and t-shirts. So, our clothing budget each year is negligible so it's not worth hassling him about buying an armful of shirts when he finds them on sale, once a year. Before, it was tools and I would almost faint. So, his expenditures are remarkably reduced. Let him have his shirts, I say. (Especially since my hobbies are so expensive and I'm the one buying tools and threads and fabric and silver and gems, right?)

by maobfh 11 Feb 2012

It appears we are limited in space for responses. Basically, it is a 'cure' for some unusual anxieties and something he does to know he can still be selfish sometimes.

by bevgrift 10 Feb 2012

oh dear they were there, now they don't show, sorry

by maobfh 10 Feb 2012

2 pictures show, and they are quite interesting! I think I would like to try this, next. Did you do the applique on stabilizer with no other fabric to applique on, and then sew it on? Or did you applique over the edge? Or...or...or? I like it! How did you manage it?

by bevgrift 11 Feb 2012

Appique paper was ironed on the flower fabic and trimmed around the flower.
I marked the T shirt pattern on the jersey fabric.Placed a small piece of iron-on Facing/"Vilene where the design would be so that it ovelapped the neck edge.
Remove the paper from the applique and pressed it to the fabric. Then sewed the flower with a small zig-zag , and some to show the petals.
Trim away next to the applique up to the fold line of the hem.
Folded the applque out of the way and serged the neckline, fold hem and sew in the usual manner.

by bettytaylor 10 Feb 2012

Wow Shirlene, you must have quite a collection of websites. Seems you have it all at your fingertips. Betty