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Pink in a blue world tee

Painting designs on plain t-shirts is so much fun! If done tastefully, it can up your tee from ordinary to original with little effort and a lot of satisfaction. The kids can get involved too and make their own. Either use a template, stamps or free hand draw your design with a wide variety of fabric paints, which are available in every color, texture, glow in the dark and dimensional. The options are just about endless.

I picked bright pink for my shirt to stand out in my blue world! All the boys made blue shirts, so it was fitting that I rock the pink, all bright and original!

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

For this design, I used a stencil, which you can buy at craft stores, like Michaels or online at Amazon. Or you can cut your own if you have a Cricut.

What you'll need for this craft:

  • a plain t-shirt

  • fabric paint

  • paint sponges

  • an old magazine

  • masking tape

Don't we all have those extra t-shirts lurking around in our drawers begging to be used?! I used some plain t-shirts I already had, that were perfectly suited for rejuvenation. Alternatively I'd say just buy a couple of inexpensive t-shirts and wash them ahead of time to allow for shrinkage. Let's make things beautiful.

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

As a next step it is very important to add a buffer between the front and back layers of the t-shirt. This serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it'll give you a hard layer to press on and secondly, it will protect the bottom layer from paint transfer. I have used wooden and cardboard boards before, but old magazines will do the trick too! Plus they too, are just lying around without a purpose, right? I had a large advertisement mag that was made of heavy paper, which was perfect for the job.

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

Next step is to secure the stencil into place, so that it doesn't shift while you're painting. Masking tape works really well for this, is easy to remove and doesn't leave sticky residue. Choose your fabric paint and dispense some onto a pallet. I just use a disposable plate. You can use a paint brush or a sponge brush. I prefer the sponge, because it doesn't leave behind fibers and leaves a great impression when blotted on. Use the paint as dry as possible. Add no water and make sure the sponge isn't moist from a previous use. If it is too wet, then the design will run and your image will distort.

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

Blot the paint on in thin layers. Too thick layers may smudge under the stencil.

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

As you can see from the image below, the paint is blotted onto the fabric so thinly, that in places the t-shirt color shows through. I liked this shabby effect with the irregular, rough edge design I'd chosen. But by all means, you can ensure even coverage for a more polished look. If you're using dimensional paint, then it is fun to add thicker layers in places, so that when the paint has dried, raised ridges appear on the shirt.

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

Remove the stencil as soon as you've completed the painting. The overlapping paint will dry intact with the design on the t-shirt, so that when you remove the dried stencil, it may take some of the design off along with it. Be careful when you lift the stencil, so as not to smudge the image. Allow the tee to dry flat, for about 4 hours. Turn the t-shirt inside out and iron the back of the painted design, in order to set it. At this point the tee will be perfectly fine to be worn out and about! Wait 72 hours before washing it though.

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

Enjoy your newly created, beautiful tee and wear with pride!

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

And I enjoyed creating this tee so much, that I repeated the process in black ...

Original Pink in a Blue World Tee from Three & Me

Remember to:

Create. Enjoy. Repeat.

Claire

xxx

THREE & ME

www.threeand.me art and craft events logo

Reviews

Created. Enjoyed. Reviewed ...

Had the most fun tonight with an amazing instructor and many wonderful friends! Three & Me out did themselves with beautiful presentation and amazing craft that I am excited to display in my home! I look forward to another opportunity to craft with Three & Me in the future!

Camas, WA

What an amazing experience! Claire is an incredible instructor and makes these projects so fun and truly easy for those like me who are not artsy! She is extremely organized and everything is so well thought out and ready in advance. I can hardly wait to take more classes in the future. I would highly recommend Three & Me!

Angela H.

Camas, WA

I just went to my first Three & Me workshop. It was a wonderful experience. Claire is a warm hostess and an excellent instructor. Making everyone feel engaged and successful. The materials are top notch and every detail is well thought out. It’s a great escape for a personal creative moment or a fun way to connect with friends and family while expressing your inner artist.

Camas, WA

Such a fun string art class tonight! Claire is a wonderful instructor and everything was so beautiful; the display, the art, the examples, the supplies, the snacks! So fun!

Camas, WA

This is truly a fun night out! Claire's instruction is helpful, humorous and fun! I love how she allowed us options to be creative and put our own twist on our projects. There is a lot of attention to detail with the set-up, supplies and refreshments which did not go unnoticed.  I can't wait for the next project!

What a fun evening! Claire has thought of every detail and guides you step by step through the whole process! She is such an encourager and makes you feel like you have just made a masterpiece! I highly recommend her classes! I can't wait to take another one!

Camas, WA

I had such a fun evening! Three & Me had everything presented beautifully and organized in a way that made it easy to follow along for those of us that aren't necessarily crafters by nature! Thank you for a fun night!

Courtney H.

Camas, WA

Thank you Claire Houlding for an incredible night! It was so much fun creating with Three & Me!

Hollen F.

Camas, WA

You all did such a great job! Claire Houlding what a fun thing you are starting in our community! Love it. So fun to be there tonight!

Jennifer B.

Camas, WA

I craft a lot at home, but doing crafts in a class with friends is so much better. THREE & ME makes it so easy to do the things I am interested in, without having to find the supplies and figure out how to do it on my own. I've just booked my next ladies night with Claire! I can't wait. 

Vancouver, WA

Tonight, a bunch of lucky ladies got to craft along side one of the very best. Claire's heart, is hands done one of the very best and those of us who were there got to create something amazing that we will proudly display in our homes. Many laughs and much fun was had by all. I highly recommend one of Three & Me classes to anyone in the area! Spread kindness around like confetti!!

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Lana E.

Camas, WA

Art is not my strength. I don't have a creative bone in my body. So I came to a workshop because my friend made me... and I made something I now love. I was expecting to sit and watch, but landed up getting fully involved! My husband and kids don't believe that I made it myself. I'm coming again and I'm bringing my sister... she's even worse at crafts than me.

Alyson S.

Washougal, WA

We had such a fun girls night out making Christmas signs. Claire did a wonderful job explaining what to do and they turned out great! We are all looking forward to more events!! Thank you!

Kristine A.

Camas, WA

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