How to Decorate a T‐Shirt

Co-authored by Joy Cho

Last Updated: November 2, 2021

T-shirts can be comfortable to wear, but they can get boring due to their simplicity. Lots of stores sell designer t-shirts, embellished with rhinestones or lace, but those can be very expensive. Luckily, it is easy to decorate your own t-shirt. Be of all, you get to choose the designs and colors to suit your personal taste and style.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adding Rhinestones

1
Get a t-shirt. The best type of shirt to use for this would be a plain, solid-colored shirt. Anything with patterns or designs may clash with the rhinestones you will be using. The style of the shirt you get will depend on where you will be placing the rhinestones. In the end, however, the color and style is completely up to you. For example:
- If you plan on adding rhinestones to the shoulder area, a fitted t-shirt would work best.
- If you plan on adding large, chunky rhinestones to the collar area, any style of t-shirt would work, especially one with a large/scooped collar.
2
Wash and dry the shirt. This is especially important if the shirt is brand new, as it will remove any starches and shrinking. Most t-shirts do not need to be ironed, but if your t-shirt has a lot of wrinkles in it, it would be a good idea to iron it.

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3
Get some rhinestones. You can use tiny rhinestones for a more delicate look, or chunky rhinestones to make a statement. White, silver, or black rhinestones will give you a classy look, while colored ones will give you a more cheerful look.
- The rhinestones don't all have to be the same. Place around with different shapes and sizes.
- For a longer-lasting design, get rhinestones with holes in them so that you can sew them on instead.
4
Place your rhinestones where you want them to go. One of the most popular places to put rhinestones (especially chunky ones) is along the collar and/or shoulders, but you can put the rhinestones anywhere you want. A great idea for tiny rhinestones is to make a heart or crown shape with them.
- If you are sewing the rhinestones on, it might be better to sketch the design out first using tailor's chalk. This way, you won't have to worry about accidentally knocking them aside.
5
Make a small puddle of glue on a lid or disposable tray. The best type of glue to use for this project would be industrial-strength glue, but a high-quality fabric glue (not "liquid stitch") may also work.
- If you are sewing the rhinestones on, cut a 12-inch (30.48-centimeter) long piece of thread, and thread a sewing needle. Make sure that the thread color matches the shirt.^{[1]
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6
Use a chopstick or popsicle stick to apply some of the glue to the back of a rhinestone. If you are working with a tiny rhinestone, you can use a toothpick or skewer instead. You can also use a pair of tweezers to dip the rhinestone into the glue. In either case, avoid using too much glue, or you will risk it bleeding through the fabric.
- If you are sewing the rhinestones on, tie the end of the thread into a large knot, then poke it through the fabric, starting from the inside of the shirt.
7
Put the rhinestone back into place, and press down on it gently. Try to get the rhinestone in the correct position. If you nudge it around too much, the glue will smear and create "stains" on the fabric.
- If you are sewing the rhinestone on, simply run the thread and needle through one of the holes and back through the fabric. You'll want to do this 2 to 3 times per hole.
8
Keep gluing the rhinestones on until you are done, then wait for the glue to dry completely. How long the glue takes to dry depends on what you are using. Read the label on the bottle for specific drying times. It is typically a few hours.
9
Wear your new shirt. When it gets dirty, it would be best to hand wash your shirt. If you must use a washing machine, be sure to turn the shirt inside out and to use a gentle cycle. Hang the shirt up to dry; do not use a dryer.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Adding Lace Embellishments

1
Get a t-shirt. You can use just about any type of t-shirt for this: fitted or loose, solid-colored or patterned. A shirt with a wide collar would look best, however.
- In this method you will be sewing or gluing shapes made out of lace onto your shirt. If you want to add a lace hem, click here.
2
Wash and dry the shirt. This is a must if the shirt is brand new, as it will remove any starches and shrinking. T-shirts typically do not need to be ironed, but if your shirt has a lot of wrinkles in it, it would be a good idea to give it a quick pass with your iron.
3
Get some lace. There are two types of lace that would work for this: basic lace and bridal lace. Basic lace is thin and net-like, while bridal lace usually has a raised or embroidered design. You can use either type for this project.
4
Figure out where you want to put the lace, and what shape you want it to be in. The most popular places for lace trim is across one or both shoulders. The shapes are usually asymmetric and follow the pattern of the lace. Another popular design is a basic shape (such as a heart) in the center of the shirt; this only works with basic lace, however.
5
Trace your design onto the lace, if needed. If you are using basic lace, you might want to sketch your design onto it using tailor's chalk. Bridal lace typically comes on a spool and is only a few inches/centimeters wide. In this case, you simply need to figure out how long you need it to be, then mark it off with sewing pins.
6
Cut the lace. If you are using basic lace, you may notice that it has some designs on it (usually roses or leaves). Cut around these when cutting out your larger shape. If you are using bridal lace, cut around the raised or embroidered designs instead of straight through them.
7
Pin the lace to your shirt. Carefully lay the lace down where you want it to be, then sew it with sewing pins.
8
Sew or glue the lace down. Sewing will take more time, but it will last longer. Gluing is quicker, but the glue will eventually wear off. It may also cause the fabric to feel a little stiff.^{[2]
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- To sew the lace on: choose a thread color that matches the thread, then sew the lace on using a straight stitch as close to the edges as you can. Remove the sewing pins when you are done.^{[3]
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- To glue the lace on: use fabric glue or liquid stitch to glue the lace on bit by bit; this way, the glue won't dry too fast. Remove the sewing pins as you work.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Lace Hems

1
Get a t-shirt. The best type of shirt to use for this would be a loose-fitting shirt. If you want to use a fitted t-shirt, make sure that you get some stretchy lace, or you won't be able to take the shirt on and off.
2
Wash and dry the shirt. This is a must if the shirt is new, because it will get rid of any starches and shrinking. Most t-shirts don't need to be ironed, but if your shirt has lots of wrinkles, it would be a good idea to iron it.
3
Decide how wide you want the lace hem to be, then add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters.^{[4]
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Research source} Your lace hem can be as wide or as narrow as your want it to be, but most shirts have something that is between 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 centimeters). Once you have decided on the width, add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to that measurement. This will be for the inside hem.
4
Figure out how long you need the lace to be. The lace needs to be long enough to wrap around the bottom hem of your shirt, plus a few inches. Here is what you need to do:^{[5]
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- Measure across the bottom hem of your shirt, from left to right.
- Multiple that number by 2. This will give you enough lace for the back of your shirt.
- Add 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) for the side seams.
5
Cut the lace according to those measurements, then cut it in half widthwise so that you end up with 2 equal pieces. Each piece should now be the same length as the bottom hem of your shirt, plus 2 inches (5.08 centimeters).
- If your lace has a design on it, consider trimming the side edges to follow that design. Be careful not to trim more than 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) off of either side.^{[6]
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6
Pin the lace along the inside of the bottom hem. Tuck the lace inside the shirt so that the hem overlaps it by 1 inch (2.54 centimeters). Pin the lace in place, then flip it over, and repeat the process for the back with the other piece of lace. Do not turn the shirt inside out for this.
- Don't worry if the lace goes past the hem's stitching; you can always trim it down later.
7
Overlap the side edges of the lace pieces by 1 inch (2.54 centimeters), then secure them with pins.^{[7]
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Research source} You can have the back piece overlapping the front piece, or vice versa. In either case, make sure that it is the same on both sides (left and right) of the shirt.
8
Topstitch the lace down. Most t-shirts will have two lines of topstitching along the hem; try your best to follow one of them using a thread color that matches your shirt. Remove the sewing pins as you sew.
- If the lace has some stretch to it, consider using a stretch stitch instead.
- For a more professional finish, use a thread color that matches your shirt, and a bobbin color that matches your lace. This way, the stitching won't be visible on both sides.
9
Turn the shirt inside out, and trim off any excess lace, if necessary. Some shirts have a much narrower bottom hem. You may have some excess lace peeking over the top of your stitching. If this is the case, trim that excess lace off as close to the stitching as you can. When you are done, turn the right-side out.
10
Wear your shirt. At this point, your shirt is ready to wear! If you notice that the lace is starting to fray at the edges, you can seal it with some fray-check glue or clear nail polish. It would be best to hand-wash this shirt, and to let it hang dry.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you arrange rhinestones?

Joy Cho
Designer & Style Expert, Oh Joy!
Joy Cho is the Founder and Creative Director of the lifestyle brand and design studio, Oh Joy!, founded in 2005 and based in Los Angeles, California. She has authored six books and consulted for creative businesses around the world. Joy has lectured on business, leadership, and entrepreneurship at conferences and companies such as AltSummit, Pinterest, Target, and Hallmark, while her home and studio have been featured in magazines such as House Beautiful, Parents, and Domino. She has also been named one of Time's 30 Most Influential People on the Internet multiple times and has the most followed account on Pinterest with more than 14 million followers.

Joy Cho

Designer & Style Expert, Oh Joy!

Expert Answer

Try placing rhinestones or beads on the shirt in clusters. Glue or sew small sprinklings of rhinestones, pearlized beads, or gems on the shoulder or sleeves for a lux, high-end feel. These types of embellishments are also very trendy right now.
Question

Could I add marker designs even if they're not fabric markers?

Community Answer

It depends on the type of marker. Most markers will just wash out when you wash the shirt. You can use a permanent marker, such as a Sharpie.
Question

What about adding buttons?

Community Answer

You can sew them on. There are plenty of tutorials online to show you. All you need is a string and needle, and of course your buttons and shirt.