There is something about Summer being on my doorstep that makes me think of T-shirts. And who could wear a plain T-shirt? I mean, really? Really.
I love the summer holidays. It all kicks off with Memorial Day and the opening of the pool. Then Independence Day (just a few days after my anniversary) and fireworks and finally ends with Labor Day. Mmmmm I can smell the burgers and corn on the cob even as I type. :)
Anyway, I was thinking about these summer holidays when I came up with this Perfect Summer Patriotic Holiday T-shirt. Easy, pretty quick (except for drying time) and the PERFECT thing to wear to the parade.
Supplies:
- Star Stickers – not teeny tiny ones
- Simply Spray – fabric spray dye in POPPY RED and BLUE JAY
- T-shirt
- T-shirt form, cardboard or plastic bag
- Garbage bag to protect work area – or work outside on the grass
Here’s a tip. I used a T-shirt form to insert inside the shirt to keep dye from bleeding through to the back. There is a tiny hole (to hang the form on the rack at the store) at the very top of the form. Cover it with Duck Tape. I can’t tell you how many shirts I decorated and they have a small circle of dye on the inside of the back of the neck.
If you don’t have a form or don’t want to use it just slip a plastic bag inside the shirt, or even a piece of cardboard.
Cover your work area with a large trash bag or work outside on the grass.
We’ll start with the top of the shirt first.
Mask the bottom of the shirt off with another bag (This is a great use for plastic shopping bags. Once the paint dries you can still use it for other things) Just lay the bag across the bottom of the shirt. No need to secure it unless there is a breeze outside. If there is a breeze just anchor it down with a few stones.
Place the star stickers randomly across the top of the shirt. Rub your finger over them (especially the edges) to make sure they stick.
And spray with the BLUE JAY Simply Spray.
The can I got had a forceful paint stream. I’m not sure why. That is why I ended up with more of a stripe look. I was working inside though and maybe if I’d gone outside I could have sprayed from farther away. Maybe that would help?
Anyway, let that dry a bit and then pull the star stickers off.
Move the plastic bag to cover the top of the T-shirt and accordion fold (fan fold) the bottom half of the shirt. The folds go horizontally.
Spray the raised portions of the shirt with the POPPY RED Simply Spray.
Unfold the accordion folds. If you don’t have enough red on the shirt for your taste you can accordion fold the shirt again with the red in the valleys of the folds and the white on the top. Spray again.
My friend Sneakers liked this T so much he asked for one of his own. How could I turn down that face?
I used the exact same method (I did use the smaller stars from the package) and made one for him.
He LOVED it! :)
Vicki- What a clever idea! And what a cute pup! I’d love to link to your tutorial from my site, http://www.AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com, if that’s okay with you. Let me know…
Thanks!
Rachel