Snowglobe Shirt - Tutorial

When I was little I had such a fascination with snow globes.......I imagined a tiny enclosed living world inside.


This was my submission for the "snow" theme in the SYTYC contest a few weeks back. I personalized it for a friend's daughter which I think makes it a special gift idea. I used some remnants of the snow white fabric I had for it but you can use this tutorial to make a shirt in any theme you want.


To make something similar you will use the following techniques: freezer paper stenciling, fabric paint, fabric pens, applique and iron on transfers. The key is layering all the different techniques in the same order!


Step 1: I traced a round globe shape.....


......and sketched a base.


Step 2: I sketched out the location of the globe on a t-shirt using a disappearing ink pen.



Step 3: For the clouds, I sketched the cloud shape on a small piece of freezer paper and cut them out. (I use a razor blade for this but I recommend using an exacto knife for safety).


Step 4: I placed the cloud stencil on the the globe and ironed to adhere it to the fabric. (Click here for more details on freezer paper stenciling).



Step 5: Paint your clouds using fabric paint (I prefer Jacquard brand, it washes well and is soft) and let dry.


Step 6: I took a scrap of themed linen fabric.....


....and applied fusible web to the back of the castle and to part of the linen with no print on it for the snowglobe base.


Step 7: I cut out the castle and base shapes (with fusible web now on the back) and treat the edges with fray check or thread glue.


Step 8: I placed the snow globe base and castle onto the shirt (after peeling off the back paper from the Wonder Under....


.....and ironed them on according to instructions.


Step 9: I used a ready-made ornate iron-on transfer.....


... to decorate the base of the snowglobe.


Step 10: I stitched all the fabric shapes to the shirt to secure them.


Step 11: I used a black Fabric Mate pen to draw in some snowflake shapes and to add an initial to the flag (also a fabric applique) flying above the castle.


Step 11: I applied safe rhinestones as the last embellishments.


Step 12: I cute a "globe" from clear vinyl PVC (you can find this is the table cloth cover section of your fabric store) and stitched it on top of my snowglobe.

Note: Vinyl is VERY hard to sew because it grips the foot and the machine. Try placing a piece of tracing paper in between the machine and the vinyl when sewing. It will rip cleanly off when you are finished and you can see through the tracing paper as well so you can see what you are sewing!


Step 13: I printed out the personalized message on iron-on transfer paper. Make sure to print your image in reverse! I always come up with something generic to print on the rest of the paper so I don't waste any like clothing labels or size labels.


Step 14: Cut out your image to transfer and iron onto twill ribbon. Treat the edges of the ribbon with fray check or thread glue. (I also like to print several different sizes just to make sure one of them is the perfect fit!) Stitch your personalized label to the front of the globe base!


One finished snowglobe! Just make sure to wash on gentle cold and lay flat or hang to dry!



Please feel free to email me if you have questions!