Here’s lookin at you kid!

So, I’m looking through flickr at pages and pages of those gorgeous reverse applique skirts from the Alabama Stitch Book and I kept seeing eyes.  Yes, eyes… from the shapes.  I was tired.


That night, while trying to fall asleep, I got the idea to do reverse applique eyes on tshirts for the boys. Once that thought popped into my head, then I REALLY couldn’t sleep. That creative adrenaline was flowing through my veins at incredible strength and force (which is why you should never think of these things at bedtime).


The next day I was on a mission to make eyes, despite my list of more important things to do.   I searched through the kid’s clothing for stained and usable Ts.  Two green and one white.  I cut the white one into twelve 3×4 squares and drew eye shapes with a pencil and painted eyeballs in the center with Tulip Soft fabric paint.

Once dry, I used the reverse applique technique to sew them on.

I left more of an eyelid excess on I-guy’s shirt.  I love the creepy “look”.  And don’t forget the one eye on the back so you can see what’s behind you.  Especially important around Halloween time.

You can watch me make them on The Martha Stewart Show by clicking this link! Check it out!

This entry was posted in Clothing, Fun kid stuff, Sewing, Spooky and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

48 Responses to Here’s lookin at you kid!

  1. Rachel says:

    This is so creative! Adopt me!

  2. dot says:

    Those are just incredible… I’ll be linking to this on Dabbled!

  3. Andie says:

    You. You are the BEST mom on the planet.

  4. Heather says:

    So freaking FUN!!! =) You need to stop, cause I totally get that about-to-go-to-sleep-craft-adrenaline-rush thing too and I have too many projects already!!!!! These are just adorable. You have such a wonderful crafty brain.

  5. jo says:

    OMG these are great, I might have to make one for my little monster. It’s so refreshing to see coold stuff for boys!

  6. Oh my, oh my, oh my, those are aMAzingly cool! Love the eye in the back of the shirt — that would make a great shirt for a mom, too… for my mom, especially, because she worked in ophthalmology for many years.

  7. alisa says:

    How cool. They would also make a great teacher gift. You know they really can see when their backs are turned!

  8. Ribs says:

    Genius! I’ve been wondering how to put reverse applique to a good use and I think you’ve cracked it. You have such a good eye for such things 😉

  9. steph says:

    ah! those are awesome! probably the best (by best i mean, really made me smile and get all happy) reverse applique i’ve ever seen. mind you, that could be the beer talking…

  10. lisette says:

    Wauw, this is beautiful! Spooky but I like them a lot! Cool.

  11. Regina says:

    These are so incredibly awesome!!!

  12. Grayangi says:

    I LOVE it!!
    Reverse applique is so much fun. What a great idea for it!!

  13. sarah says:

    This made me very very happy.

  14. Taryn says:

    They turned out great (and very creepy indeed). Do your boys just love them?

  15. Megan Dunn says:

    I love this! I’ve not had time to sew since baby #3 came along but I’m going to have to make some time!

  16. Rachael says:

    oh, they are brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!!

  17. Michelle says:

    Seriously, seriously awesome. Fantastic, really!

  18. bitterbetty says:

    I just love these. I Think I may use the idea to make something for everyday use. Super Duper crafty cool.

  19. Erin K says:

    Oh my heck! These are beyond adorable. So super cool and fun!

  20. Shanna says:

    what a fabulous idea! my son didn’t want to dress up for halloween this year but i might be able to convince him to wear an eye shirt! thanks for the idea!

  21. Gina says:

    Whaoh, those are just the coolest things I ever saw!

  22. Beth says:

    fan – flippin – tastic – you star!

  23. Becky says:

    Heehee, those are made of awesome.

  24. Kelly says:

    Once again Regina, You rock! It’s hard to find stuff to make for a 14 year old boy. This may be the ticket. Thanks for sharing.

  25. Rebecca says:

    Those are fantastic Regina!!!! Truly!
    Happy Halloween, hugs

  26. Aunt Jenny says:

    “It always feels like somebody’s watching me…” Those shirts are great spooky fun!

  27. Jessica says:

    When I checked in my son saw these and thought they were “awesome”! I do as well! We may just give this a go, looks like fun!

  28. iHanna says:

    Fantastic – and scarry! Love the zine too, to bad I’m late for that one. Take care and Happy Halloween!

  29. Joe Girl says:

    Fabulous! Saw this on CRAFT blog – had to check it out. I’m certain my seven-year old will LOVE one of these!

    I too am inspired often in the middle of the night. When it so happens that I can’t fall back to sleep, a single Tylenol will often calm me back down 😉

  30. Yngla says:

    I just love this! I have never used reverse appliqué before but now I´m definitely giving it a try!

  31. erika says:

    I LOVE this! I’ve been trying to think up Christmas presents and these will be great (not just for the boys)

  32. Jocelyn says:

    Just what I’ve been looking for!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU. I’m off to work.

  33. Wendy says:

    This is fantastic! Think I may need to whip one of these out for my baby for Halloween.

  34. Sarah says:

    Those look great!
    Would you consider posting them on instructables.com?
    Since you already have pics and instructions, it would be a snap!
    And with ~3 million viewers a month, it would be a great way to drive traffic back here to your site!
    (email me when you post so i can make sure you get featured!)

  35. Arelis says:

    That’s the awsomest thing ever!

    I just discovered your blog and I ADORE it
    you’re great.

    I’ll be stepping by every once on a while [mainly while my boss is not around]

    Kudos!

  36. Steffi says:

    Wow! You saved my day and my son’s Halloween! Thank you so much!

  37. Petey says:

    Those are the most coolio couple of shirts I’ve ever seen…extra fine with the eyeball in the back!!! I have to make one for myself.
    Thanks for putting this on the web!

  38. Cathy says:

    This project was so awesome that I’ve already made a shirt for my son. Love it! Thanks for sharing it.

  39. Joana says:

    Fantastic idea. Wonderful. Congratulations!
    Joana

  40. Hi – I had to make one of these for my little alien for Halloween, I linked to you on my blog to credit your idea, I hope that’s ok. The shirt turned out great, thank you for sharing. I was kind of at a loss making his costume and this was perfect!! You rock.

  41. LauraJ says:

    I made one of these for my son. He really loves it. Thanks for sharing the idea!

  42. Flassie says:

    That is so cool!

    You know the saying, Mother’s have
    eyes in the back of their heads or
    is that you must have eyes in the
    back of your head?

    God Bless You and Yours!!!

  43. Monique says:

    Hello,
    I’m from the Netherlands and found your web-site!
    I love this t-shirt and i’m going to make one for my two sons. They loved the idea too.

    Bless you and your family,
    Monique

  44. raajia says:

    He really loves it.
    I had to make one of these for my son . Thanks for sharing the idea!

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