Sure you can always purchase the stock team spirit gear items from the team store or you could give this beginner level embroidery applique technique a try and make your own! Learn how to create a reverse applique using basic fabrics to add any shape, word or number to your DIY team spirit gear!
DISCLOSURE: I was compensated with a product sample by Fairfield World, but the opinions are all mine and not that of the company! In addition, some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, which come at no cost to you. Know that I only promote products I personally use and stand behind. To learn more about my affiliates, please review my disclosure policy.
A reverse applique technique is a fun way to add a pop of color and texture to a basic hoodie or t-shirt. It’s also a fun technique to help cover up a stubborn stain or tear in your favorite wearable gear. I personally chose to buy a basic solid zip up hoodie and turn it into a custom design featuring my daughters’ jersey number (yes they are both #21 on 2 different teams since they share a birthday of the same date) and a softball heart on the sleeve to feature their favorite sport.
Reverse Applique Team Spirt Gear Supplies:
- Sweatshirt or Hoodie
- Cotton Fabric
- Stabilize Fusible Interfacing
- Embroidery Thread and Needle
- Fabric Scissors
- Embroidery Hoop
- Water erase pen or chalk
- Iron
- Cotton Press Cloth for ironing
- Optional: Stencil
First determine your shape for the applique and cut out a stencil or template. Lay this on the fabric and trace using a water or air erase pen.
Next iron your fabric to get out any wrinkles.
Turn the fabric over and place the fabric you want to see right side down over the stencil, using an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric in place.
Embroider a stitch along the stenciled design. I used a backstitch but you could use any stitch you want.
Complete the embroidered design then trim the fabric around the stiches on the back.
The key to keeping this extra fabric secure on your hoodie is to add a piece of Stabilize interfacing from Fairfield World on the back to cover the edges. This lightweight fusible interfacing helps to make a stronger base for embroidery or add stability to lightweight fabrics.
I got a yard of it cut at the fabric section at Michaels (yes some stores have this now) and it was easy to apply with a household iron. Tip: There’s a smoother side and a bumpier side that includes the fusible adhesive so make sure to place the bumpier side down so it can adhere correctly.
Cover with a cotton press cloth and heat with a household iron for 30 seconds. This should cover the edges of the fabric material and fuse it to the inside of the hoodie protecting the stitches and any loose edges of the inside fabric.
Back to the front applique area, use a sharp pair of fabric scissors, snip a small hole in the inside of the stenciled area, careful not to pierce through it completely. Trim around the inside edge up to the stitching previously completed. This should reveal the new pop of fabric from the inside.
Your reserve applique is complete! I created this for both a #21 on the pocket area of the hoodie and additional added a softball heart on the one sleeve. It was a bit more difficult to align the sleeve so heads up on that challenging spot! Additionally I also added red stitching to this heart before adding the Stabilize interfacing.
This reverse applique technique is a unique way to add some color and texture to a basic hoodie or tee! Consider trying different embroidery stitches, layers of color or stitching threads to make each piece unique.
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