We’re big fans of making art on t-shirts, because, hey, wearable art!
This is a fun, non-toxic way for kids to get a spray-paint effect and outfit themselves with a new t-shirt in anticipation of Spring. I was originally going to make this project using spray paint, and was so excited to find a product that acts like spray paint without the fumes.
Materials:
- 100% cotton t-shirt in white (Hello, Target.)
- Fabric spray paint*
- Cardboard for inside of shirt
- Paper to lay out under the shirt
- Circle stickers
- Masking tape
Technique:
Place dots and masking tape anywhere you want on the shirt. Make a design, or randomly place them. Fen decided to make a character from Minecraft with the tape, and swirl the dots around at the bottom.
Shake the paint well, and spray from 6-8″ away, keeping the paint moving over the surface. You don’t want it to pool in one place. (Practice on a piece of scrap paper beforehand.)
Fen sprayed 2 paint colors in alternating swoopy-stripes.
Wait for the paint to dry, (about an hour), and remove your stickers and tape. Leave the shirt alone for 72 hours before washing. (Or if you’re like us, wear the shirt to school the next day.) You don’t need to heat-set this paint, unlike other fabric dyes.
* This is the paint we used. I bought it by the individual can at Michael’s. This is the 6-pack at Amazon, which I’m sort of coveting.
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This spray paint has received bad reviews due to its dripping and spurting. Did you experience any problems?
Ya know, we didn’t have any trouble like that, but we only did the one shirt. I wonder if it’s similar to spray paint in that way. I always have trouble with spray paint after using it for a while. Maybe it’s just the nature of the can design.
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Popular 1970s Toys
This is a terrific idea Jeanette! Everytime I come here, I end up pinning tons of stuff.
La la la!
I just love your blog. So much great stuff!
Lisa Nelson recently posted…World Book Day – A Blog Shoutout Children’s Book Authors
La la la! Thanks for all the pins! I’m so glad you like it here- makes me happy to hear that!
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Playing With Art Materials: 9+ Fun Watercolor Techniques
Such a totally awesome project. I had no idea you could use special spray paint for t-shirts! You find all the best stuff!
PragmaticMom recently posted…Best Bedtime Books to Read Aloud
Disclaimer: I went to the store to buy spray paint for this project, and happened upon this stuff. I was very excited- I sort of want to spray everything now.
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Playing With Art Materials: 9+ Fun Watercolor Techniques
I have some of that paint! Definitely trying this once it gets warm enough to paint the shirts in the back yard!
maryanne recently posted…Connecting Family: What Was Your Day REALLY Like?
Interestingly, there were no fumes at all- we did it inside at a table and it was fine. I was so excited to find this stuff!
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Playing With Art Materials: 9+ Fun Watercolor Techniques
Very cool effect – it looks like something you’d see from Nike!
Very cute pic too!
Non-fumey spray paint – great find!
Ann recently posted…Lives Inspired by Nature
We are so Nike around here. The one pic featured som little boy nudity in the original, so I had to strategically cover it up with some help from Pic Monkey.
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Playing With Art Materials: 9+ Fun Watercolor Techniques
The pictures of your kids are soooooo funny! Too cute. I want to make some shirts, too.