A couple of Jeff’s good friends were visiting from Texas a few weeks ago. They used to live in Boston but moved to Dallas last year and we were so sad to see them go. They have the cutest 2 year old boy that we miss having around. I made their little toddler a couple t-shirts that displayed the two states that he has lived in his short life so far. I found the perfect plain slub cotton t-shirts from J Crew’s Crewcuts on sale for $4. I love how the slub cotton paired with the felt make the shirts look vintage-y.
First, I printed out Texas and Massachusetts shapes from my computer. I googled for the state maps and then blew them up in Photoshop to the size that I wanted, then cut out to use as a stencil:
Trace the stencils onto the felt then cut out with scissors:
I added a felt start to where Dallas is on the map because that is where they live now. I added a heart to where Boston is because that’s where his parents met and fell in love (and where he was born):
Place and pin in place on the t-shirts:
Then slowly sew in place with a sewing machine:
I love how these turned out!!!
Hi! And welcome to my site! I hope you find something that inspires you while you are here. 
{ 133 comments… read them below or add one }
These look great – thanks for the tute! I agree that the slub knit shirts just make the look.
I think it’s hilarious how many counties Texas has, as evidenced by your template. We moved here a couple of years ago and it seemed so odd, as I came from a state with *just* 16.
Oh, wow!! I am Texan, born and raised. How do you like us so far?
Love it! I want to make one.
These are really cute! So, how does the felt hold up to washing? I’ve never used it before on something that will be washed a lot.
So cute! Love the star and the heart. He’s lucky to live in Texas. (Well, except maybe for this summer.)
This is too cool! They really do look vintage. Neat post!
Good idea.
Great shirt idea!
Going to make a MINNESOTA one, once I am done with the wedding
hehe
Super cute idea! I def want to make a Minnesota one too!
How clever is that? Illinois, here we come! ; )
Cool idea. I just moved from TX to TN so maybe I can get my lady to make me something like this. She is crafty. Check out this cool sticker design too, maybe give you more ideas. http://www.itexastn.com
Very cool! You just need to write Don’t Mess with Texas on the back.
Agreed!
OMFG! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this!
So awesome!!!!!! I love crafty stuff! Thanks for sharing this, and congrats on being freshly pressed!
Edwin
http://awkwardlist.com
Cute! I wonder how CA would turn out.
Ahhh! I want to make one! I love this! Thanks for sharing!
Meg
http://www.designwinedine.com
This is an amazing idea! I would love to do this for my little niece who has moved from California (in San Fran) to Illinois!
These are SO much fun!! Oh MY
Such a completely thoughtful gift — thanks for the inspiration!
so creative! And you’re such a good friend, making the t-shirt isn’t that fast and instant! Yours are great, pretty sure the t-shirt means a lot to your friend!
great post : )
I love these! I will be making one asap
Neat idea – thanks for sharing. Some states have more interesting shapes than others – Hawaii could be an interesting one to create on a t-shirt. Congrats on being FP!
AWESOME! I’m in the process of creating shirts!! These are classic and I will use the idea! Getting shirts made are SO expensive.
Wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing. Of course, I can’t sew, but thanks to your post I can have some of these shirts made pretty cheaply and at least feel like a part of the process by designing them and cutting out the felt. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed.
I love these!
cool! this is great! subscribed! pls do visit my blog to.. im doing a DIY very soon..
) http://fashiondiy101.wordpress.com/
What an adorable idea. Now I just need to acquire some sewing skills and I’ll be all over making myself a North Dakota shirt!! Thanks for sharing!
So cute! I think I’m going to attempt one with Florida on it, because I’m immature like that.
I want these! Do you have an Etsy shop?
I wish I had an etsy store! Maybe I should start one!
ilene
This is the cutest gift idea ever. I love it! Do you sell them? I would love to have something like this from the places I’ve visited.
cute idea!
VT and RI coming soon – nice post! thanks
I love these T-shirt
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!!!! So cool!! I’ve got to try this!
http://politeandparanoid.wordpress.com
So adorable! If I had an ounce of spare time (and a sewing machine), I would totally make a shirt for my two-year-old! Beautiful work.
Hey Nice Shirts
luv this, they came out really cute, thanx for sharing!!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
cute idea!
Cool! Thx for this tutorial.
i LOVE making stuff like this and being creative! thanks for such a neat idea! i’m going to make one for my daughter for our lovely state of SC!
like the shirts, its a good way to show state pride!
cute idea! we have a store in the des moines area that makes pretty cool state-specific american apparel shirts…Raygun. it’s print work, but fabulous. thanks for sharing!
http://www.icouldntmakethisshitup.wordpress.com
Interesting…
Super cute!! I totally want to make one for myself now. Your blog has some amazing ideas, bravo to you!!!
Howdy. I enjoyed reading this post but what caught my eye the most was the Texas shape fabric with the Star on it. Superb.
These look Nice!! I love vintage style ♥ and want to make one !!
Great idea!
I love it…
Thanks for sharing
So much better than most typical kid’s gifts. Makes me wish I was not sewing challenged. Great post!
ah, this is so cool! Definitely gonna try a South Carolina one
Thanks for the tips!
So original and creative. I love your idea.
we love these shirts and tyler wears them all the time! to the question about whether they shrink after wash, so far so good! so nope, we haven’t had any problems with that =)
Your t-shirts are adorable! They remind me of a favorite t-shirt that I bought at a small boutique in Providence by artist Hilary Treadwell, featuring the states of Texas and Rhode Island: http://lilhop.com/bit.htm
Now you’ve inspired me to make my own!
This is such a cute project to make.
wa—-o.. really nice ~
take a look at my blog levidavie.wordpress
I love those shirts! So awesome. I want to buy one like that for me! Do you sell them in XXXXL? LOL!
What a coincidence, I just moved from Dallas to Boston! Can you make me the same two shirts? Except of course, with the star and heart reversed ;p
I just made one for my daughter! She loves it!
wow that was fast!!! awesome!!!
thanks for sharing this – loved it.
-grace
http://herumbrella.com
these are cool. congrats for a idea
good post. thinking to make something like that. hugs,
Adorable!
I always think of Fred Flinstone’s profile when I see Illinois on the map
very nice,,,, those stars, zoo
These are cool. I’m gonna try them out on one of my tiresomely boring shirts…
Thanks for sharing!
Very cool idea. Good luck to you.
Good job!I can’t help to trying to do it by myself,thanks for sharing this creative idea.
Oh my gosh, that is sooo cute! Those shirts remind of the day when Urban Outfitters use to cool state themed shirts! Thanks for sharing! I’m new to blogging here and I just love how supportive and creative everyone is! If you have time, could you please check out my blog? http://comeonilene.wordpress.com/ I would love some advice and feedback, and how to get more exposure
It is a great DIY idea!!
oops!! see i don’t even know how to use wordpress correctly! hahaha it’s http://www.shecooksheeats.wordpress.com
Awesome!
simple.. n cool
what I really like about the clothes are the soft and comfortable cottons. They are just so nice to wear and you can feel them when you are wrap into your body.
Very cute!
Ingenius!!!
This is just the cutest idea! I will making my “Michigan” state shirt asap!
These are ADORABLE! Love your blog!
awesome! cause the one I love is in Texas and I’m in Boston….Austin/Boston….sheer poetry and she’s a poet too….sheer unadulterated poetry….love them….!!! Great Job!
Lovely! I’ve shared this today at http://www.craftbuds.com/fresh-picks-for-wednesday-7-27-11/
Absolutely adorable!!! Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing.
These are sooo cute!!! love them! great idea!
It looks pretty cute really
Like the simple colour schemes too and localized design compared to flowery patterns all over the shirt.
in love <3 so cute! and they look easy, but knowing me and my sewing skills, i'm sure i'll mess up
thanks for sharing!
Davvero originale! Potrei fare lo stesso con le regioni italiane!
Totally amazing shirts! Love the Texas Star!!
Love this!!!
Love it love it love it!! Thanks so much for sharing. I’m from Montana, and there’s a more-than-mildly ridiculous pride around here for those of us from the 406 (the area code for the ENTIRE state). Now I can wear my pride on my shirt!
Oh, these are brilliant! I love how they turned out.
I’m amazed by anyone with the skill to maneuver a sewing machine around all those jagged state borders!! I’m just learning to use a machine, having sewn everything by hand all my life, and can barely manage a straight line!!
Your T-shirts are adorable, and I’m sure he got a kick out of wearing them.
this is such a cute idea~
these shirts are exactly like those necklaces that Forever21 stole from an etsy artist~
but if you make it yourself it’s not like using someone else’s idea for corporate profit~~
i LOVE these! great idea; i can’t wait to try it out!
i like the simplicity of the shirt.. i wish can try making one for myself. =D
Thank You for the idea. I love it!
these are gorgeous, i want one!
These are great. I have an obsession with my state so I’ll definitely be trying this someday! Thanks for the tutorial!
Thank you for the tutorial, love these t-shirts
cool!
I like the little pockets. You could keep half a sandwich in there!
Love these (well, not the Texas one because I’m an Okie, but that’s neither here nor there)!
So cool! You make it look very easy!
this is really cool can you stop by my page?
So cute!
Cool clothing gear.
love it!
looks good!!!
i love vintage shirts! thanks for sharing!
Great idea. After all, so you can do with each country. Or with the whole European Union:)))
GREAT!!
Oh my gosh that is so cute!
nice tshirtss:)
Great blog and great idea. Great read.
Nice….:)
Oh, wow! these are super cute! Love the idea! Could use it for almost any motif! I would buy these!
Lol, these are soo cute and funny!
What a nice idea. The little guy will wear those T-shirts for a short time, but he will remember this. Sewing the design onto the T-shirt would be quite a feat.
This map enthusiast loves the idea! Thank you for breaking it down for us. Super fun!
Oh WONDERFUL! I know what I will be making for Christmas gifts this year!
I wonder if this would work for the states of Australia! I’ll give it a go. I might even make some felt for the applique!
prettyyy
would get tricky on countries with tons of broken up islands though ;p
good post keep posting frnd thanks 4 sharing
Very creative and cute
I enjoyed reading this post… Great report.
This is too cool! They really do look vintage.
Thanks for sharing! That is super fun.
Very Cute!
Great site! I will be definiately coming back for a visit.
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