Sew Can Do: Plenty O'Luck Shirt

Lately I've spent most of my time on spring-themed projects, family birthday/wedding commitments and cleaning up our ~~garbage dump~~ lovely home for Easter. Poor St. Patrick's Day has kind of gotten neglected this year. When I pulled this shirt out of the closet for my little guy to wear this year it reminded me how much I loved this project, so I thought I'd re-share it. Everything old is new again, right? I didn't totally forget you St. Patrick's Day!

I created this shirt especially for my 6yr old son, Declan. Even though we're not Irish, we gave him a very traditional Irish name, so St. Patrick's Day is a special day for our little guy. Now he's got something special to help celebrate: the Plenty O'Luck Shamrock Shirt.

The applique shamrock is made from smaller shamrocks for a fun, textured feel. And who couldn't use the extra luck from so many four leaf clovers? Here's how to make it -

You'll Need:
- White t-shirt
- Green felt
- Sewing Notions (matching thread, pins, shears, sewing machine, ball point needle, disappearing marker)
- Optional: Cuttlebug/die cutter machine & 4 blossom flower die, hand sewing needle

First draw out the shamrock design on the shirt. I used a glass and traced it with my disappearing marker to make four connecting circles like this:

Next the shamrocks need to be cut. I cut about 55 shamrocks that were 1.5in in diameter. This can be done by hand, but using a die cutter like my Cuttlebug makes this go A LOT faster.

I used a die for a four petaled flower and just rounded off the tips:

I also hand cut a curved stem out of felt:

Lay out the shamrocks, starting at the outline and layering edges until reaching center, so the shirt can't be seen underneath:

Pin shamrocks into place and add stem, tucking the top end under the clovers:

Stitch the stem into place close to the edges:

Now there are two options for sewing the shamrocks in place with matching colored thread:

Hand sew each one on with a few stitches in the center.

Machine stitched with ball point needle.

I wanted these to really stay on well, and do it quickly, so I used my machine. Slide the front of the shirt over the free arm and starting at the outer edge of one side, stitch 3 straight stitches & backstitch over them on each shamrock.

It didn't really take that long and the effect is so worth it. Doing it this way gives a nice layered look that isn't too "patterned". I also added a single light green clover in the center for a little extra detail: