Hi Loralye,perhaps i could help? I have embroidered quiet a few t-shirts,I have even embroidered on a baby's vest 0-3months,without taking it apart. method 1.hoop stablizer and t-shirt,pull back of t-shirt over the top of hoop,so that the bottom of hoop is clear,slide the hoop under needle and attach it,allow machine to center itself,now ease and roll t-shirt edges away from your sewing area forming a nest,you might have to keep on moving the rolled edges out of the way of the needle arm,so perhaps slowing the machine down a little will help.
method2,for smaller items that can't be hooped,hoop stablizer,pin the front of t-shirt or vest to the stablizer, once again just before you stitch roll the edges out forming a nest. regards lesley

Hello i have never taken a shirt apart i pin it and watch it close as it sews hugs

Loralye, I use a med to heavy wt stabilizer on my G.G. kids Tees and onesies. They are so flimsey. I have never taken a shirt a part. LesleyAnn tells you exactly how I do mine. I keep my hands busy keeping the parts I do not want embroidered out of the way./Lillian

Thanks Lesley.. I'm going to give this a try on the tinie tiny garments :)

Thank you for telling us.