A close view of the t shirt neckline: thin jersey strip couched along the outer edge of the motif; running stitch outlining the innner motifs, with top layer cut away to show dark blue underlayer; neck edge bound and stitched down with rosebud featherstitching. A fun funky combination of finished and raw edges...
The results are more than just acceptable, I am quite pleased with the finished decorations. The shirt looks about as good as a t shirt ever looks on me. There were some additional pattern modifications done, the neckline was brought in closer to the sides of my neck, and the sleeves were given a slight flare, to keep them from being too tight on my bodacious biceps. Future t shirts will probably have a deeper neckline, which is my default, but for this one the idea was to have it high enough that the handwork would not be buried under the bodice of my usual pinafores. Total time spent on this project: eight days of occasional stitching and handwork, mostly while riding public transit, when there is nothing else useful or pleasant to occupy my time.
the neckline edge of the blue stripey tee shirt. It is amazing what a little starch will do!
Here you can see how the binding strip holds it's shape. It will be a little stiff to sew through, but once washed, will return to being a soft cotton knit. I have used the same technique to tame slithery rayon and silk. The only caveat is that the fabric needs to be washed first, so it will not mind being washed again to take the starch out...