put iron on straight

[leidig32]

What is the trick to putting the design on straight. I am using a ruler and make sure I am the exact distance from the arm pit area but for some reason I cannot get the top straight.
I have found that the shirts are not perfect either. The collar is not the same distance from where the shoulder starts and it is driving me CRAZY!!!

I am not sure the tshirt making business will ever be in my future (I am only making shirts for my family

Thanks for any insight!

 

[IndyNana]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I am most interested in the answer as I, too, am preparing to make t-shirts. I hope someone can help you.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

This made me laugh. I design them, I print them, everything....the only thing I won't do is do the placement. I make my DH do that. I can't even draw straight, so I depend on him. Here's how he does it....it truly is a science.

Since when you wash the shirt it becomes even less straight then when you bought it. Lay it flat (best on a counter or table), put the design on it, already having partially pealed the paper from the iron-on. Measure from the neckline down, then from arm pit to arm pit on the shirt. Then measure from the design to the edge of the shirt going down each side.

After ironing on several crooked, I just hand them over, he places them, then I put a cutting board underneath it to move it to the ironing board.

 

[ShellsShirts]

My trick is to iron it on something square and not an ironing board. I use my filing cabinet as it's a good size and low to the ground so I can see the shirt better and press it better. I just got a 15 x15 scrap piece of Corian from a local kitchen cabinet/counter company so I don't burn the laminate on the cabinet but was using a pillow case. If you are doing alot of shirts, I would use something thicker to prevent burning furniture. I iron the shirt first. Place it centered on the cabinet. then place the transfer until it looks even. As you have straight lines from the cabinet, it is easy to see if it's crooked.