This weekend I was fully prepared for a wet weekend and had a few rainy day craft activities ready for the children. They are pretty good at inventing their own games, but every so often they need something else.
I was inspired by Aesthetic Nest’s scribble t-shirts via One Pretty Thing. Anneliese’s children used fabric markers, but as I had lots of fabric paint, I thought we could decorate our initials using a paint brush. Maybe random stripes and wiggles. TF was the first one to need a project and he had other ideas. He wanted a spotty t-shirt.
I cut out a “T” in freezer paper and ironed it onto a plain white t-shirt. We talked about filling all the white area, so that edges of the letter would be defined. To make it more interesting, I suggested that he printed some circles half on the fabric and half on the paper. He used bottle caps, a mini flower pot and the flat part of a screw to print the circles. (not forgetting to put cardboard inside the tshirt, so the paint did not soak through)
Before the freezer paper was removed.
After the paper is removed. I love both versions.
While the paint dried, the girls decided that they didn’t want to use freezer paper, as they loved the effect of the circles spilling over the edges of the letter.
I sketched the outline of each letter on to their t-shirts, using an ordinary sketching pencil.
Then they got going printing. Special care to keep the middle of the letters as white space.
They happily printed and covered the letters. The effect is organic looking, as if it is growing. I limited all three of them to three colours and a glow in the dark paint.
Once dried
and ironed, they couldn’t wait to wear them.
It didn’t take long for them to work out that three letters could spell a few words, especially with some adaptions. Along with the top photo showing BAT, here are some of my favourites.
ART
ATE
TAB
Not bad for a wet afternoon.
Linking up with the wonderful Craft School Sunday
and the lovely KCCO
What a wonderful way to spend a wet weekend! I can’t believe how much energy you all have…we are all suffering from end of term exhaustion and spent the weekend in a pile reading and sleeping (and sewing)…might try this in the holidays though! 😀
Checking the calendar, the next two weeks are going to be tiring! If only for me, as I make sure they each have the right things in the right bags for all their end of term events. I have a list! A long list! They loved making these tshirts and wearing them. They all wore them to an event we went to the next day. 😀
They look great! Now of to get mom to help me make one! 🙂
A “K” would look fabulous. Start rounding up the bottle tops! 😀
Those are adorable! I’m thinking this would be great to put initials onto a plain bag for library books or going to the beach or something. I’ll have to give it a try!
They would look wonderful on a bag. I’m hoping to do some as thank yous from the children. Although whatever craft activity I plan, the children always have other ideas. They’ll probably come up with something completely different.
What a terrific idea! I love these shirts 🙂
Thanks, Jess. The children had lots of fun making them.
What a great idea. A simple idea, and your T-shirts look really stunning
So often the simple ideas come out the best. Certainly did in this case! Credit to the children.
They look fabulous!
Thanks. I’m pleased at how they turned out. 😀
Love this project, both ways are great too! Thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
I couldn’t decide which I prefer – Clean lines or curves. 🙂
hey, where’s the bat? 🙂
Oh, I LOVE these. The circly swirly style is absolutely gorgeous (not to mention the colour scheme!) and so easy to do!
Next payday I’ll get some decent fabric paints and a few cheapo shirts. For the kids. Yeah, DEFO for the kids.
(as if, I’ll totally have to make one for myself first!!)
Just getting my photos together for a bat update. I’ll post soon 😀 These tshirts work for adults too. Why not! They are fun. My husband wanted to know where his initial tshirt was.I keep on looking at old tshirts and imagining what I could do to improve them using nothing but fabric paint and a bottle cap! Hope you enjoy making and wearing.
l just love this project..so much fun and proffesional looking toox I have a blog on my website which l thought you might enjoy. L run a small art and craft school in Putney!xlynda
I love simple projects. Almost any age can produce something that they can feel proud to show. This one is great as most of it can be done by even young children, with some degree of independence. At the same time, they can be crafting with older siblings doing the same project. Got to love that! 😀
Wonderful way to keep the kids busy on one of those “I’m bored, what can we do that’s fun???” days. Who am I kidding, I want one too!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!! 🙂
Oh it is good fun! It was all that I could do not to join in and take over. 😀