Tips for getting the images on straight and centered?

[delmar411]

While it amuses DH to no end that some of the shirts I've done already are semi-crooked or off center...it's driving me nuts! Once I stretch the shirt over the cutting board I can' tell if I've got the transfer centered or straight. Is there any easier way other than marking with pencil before putting it over the cutting board?

TIA!!

 

[MinnieNurse]

Bumping

Would love some tips on this also. Just went and bought t-shirts and transfer paper to do some shirts for our December trip!!

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

First, you should not be using an ironing board. When you are ironing on a transfer, you should be ironing on a hard surface.

What I normally do, is lay the shirt completely flat on my ironing surface (which is my desk) and then since I am seeing the entire face of the shirt, it is easier to see the big picture and get it on straight. But I have no trick for you - I just eyeball it.

I hope somehow this helps.

 

[wishing upon a star]

I'm curious about this also.. I've found some wonderful designs that I'd love to put on t-shirts for myself, my Mother and my Aunt for our possible first trip in September 2009, but I'm terrified to even try because I've never made shirts [or anything involving iron-on transfers] before. I've read the threads with intructions, but it really doesn't help. I'm just afraid of messing up and its money wasted.

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I'm curious about this also.. I've found some wonderful designs that I'd love to put on t-shirts for myself, my Mother and my Aunt for our possible first trip in September 2009, but I'm terrified to even try because I've never made shirts [or anything involving iron-on transfers] before. I've read the threads with intructions, but it really doesn't help. I'm just afraid of messing up and its money wasted.

If you are anything like me, I stressed before and during the whole process of making my first shirt. But after you have done the first one, you will see how easy it is and how rewarding it is to see that you CAN do it!

After you have read the directions in your iron on transfer package and all the tips here - if you have any questions - just ask! We are all a friendly bunch here and all of us made of first shirt at one time or another.

 

[taekwondo mom]

This may sound crazy but I used a tape measure to center the design .

 

[wishing upon a star]

If you are anything like me, I stressed before and during the whole process of making my first shirt. But after you have done the first one, you will see how easy it is and how rewarding it is to see that you CAN do it!

After you have read the directions in your iron on transfer package and all the tips here - if you have any questions - just ask! We are all a friendly bunch here and all of us made of first shirt at one time or another.

Thank you for the encouragement. It helped a lot. I may go to the store and buy some transfer paper and a T-shirt just to do a practice test soon. Think its too soon to start making the shirts once I have the designs instead of waiting until closer towards the trip? It'll be hard to hide everything from my Mom though, no matter when I decide to make the shirts. Surprises for my Mom and Aunt, that'll be hard to hide.

I also saw that you make dining plan punchcards, that's a great idea! When I find out which dining plan we'll use, I'm definitely going to request 3 of those for our trip if you still make them when I find out.

 

[delmar411]

This may sound crazy but I used a tape measure to center the design .

Not crazy, that's what I wanted to do until DH started giving me weird looks. That's when I started 2nd guessing myself.

I think the tape measure is what I'm going to use. It will make me more relaxed about the shirts coming out the way I want them too.

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Wish,

Why don't you do a practice shirt to try it out- If it comes out to the point that only you could appreciate it... Use it as a bed shirt! No big deal! It is all yours and no one has to "see" that it is not perfect! Personally, even though I am somewhat a perfectionist (I admit) I think anything that is not quite perfect is best- It says I made it! All for love peoples! Plus... & this is an old crafters trick used in many different forms of crafting including sewing and such- When you "mess up" get some cording or rhinestones etc and affix around your design in various designs or just even around the border etc- Gives it an extra special touch, and no one else will be the wiser!
This tip is great even for those who have made shirts for awhile-
Ever set the iron too close to your "finished" design just to have it melt a small edge to "non-perfection"? Yeah- most have when multi tasking- Add a bow to that edge or again cording or ribbon all around the border, or even an extra special patch to that area that compliments the design- Really easy ways to "fix" mistakes and blunders! Relax and go with it!

 

[wishing upon a star]

Wish,

Why don't you do a practice shirt to try it out- If it comes out to the point that only you could appreciate it... Use it as a bed shirt! No big deal! It is all yours and no one has to "see" that it is not perfect! Personally, even though I am somewhat a perfectionist (I admit) I think anything that is not quite perfect is best- It says I made it! All for love peoples! Plus... & this is an old crafters trick used in many different forms of crafting including sewing and such- When you "mess up" get some cording or rhinestones etc and affix around your design in various designs or just even around the border etc- Gives it an extra special touch, and no one else will be the wiser!
This tip is great even for those who have made shirts for awhile-
Ever set the iron too close to your "finished" design just to have it melt a small edge to "non-perfection"? Yeah- most have when multi tasking- Add a bow to that edge or again cording or ribbon all around the border, or even an extra special patch to that area that compliments the design- Really easy ways to "fix" mistakes and blunders! Relax and go with it!

That's brilliant! I never would of thought of that! That would make a shirt extra cute! Thank you!