Freezer Paper stenciling is easier than it looks...

So I don't say things like this very often "easier than it looks", often I end up cursing new projects.  I thought it was super easy with pretty instant results. It took me too long to try this I wanted to give anyone who was thinking about a little push. I actually did these shirts in May but finally took the "after" shots the other day to post them. By the way great gift idea for Christmas....watch for shirts on sale now.

There are lots of great tutorials to read if you search, so I won't go into too many details.  My basic tips are:

1. Keep the design simple and easy to cut out - here I did the sign for fish ladder (are these signs anywhere else but near Seattle? Go salmon!) and a simplified radioactive symbol.

2. Print then trace design onto the freezer paper, use a craft knife to cut out the area where you want the paint to show.

3. Lay t-shirt flat, put a piece of cardboard or thick paper inside the shirt to prevent paint seeping through (see red shirt collar?). Put freezer paper shiny side down and iron onto the shirt.

4. I dumped the paint onto a plate then used a sponge brush to dab paint on the shirt. Don't rub the brush that will pull the material.

My kids love these shirts (oh the basic shirt is from Old Navy - ringer tees I think they were 2/$10). It fun to have a shirt that no one else has and I like the simple designs. 

If you have even thought about this, definitely try it, it would be easy on totes, aprons and dishtowels.  So I have to thank Melanie from the Cain Family, who left me a comment in Feb 2009 and told me to try this and how fun it was. That was the first I'd heard of it and I can't believe it took me until this year to try it! Silly me.

Dragon Tee

A little birthday present for the boys' friend who loves dragons,  E and C helped with the design + clipart.  The best part is I've seen the little boy at school twice wearing it! (Iron-on applique and red stitching). E is modeling for me.

I'm linking to:

T-shirt re-do

I should have taken a before picture, because these two tees don't look too exciting. The boys had some cute pirate tees they outgrew - even pirates shouldn't have their bellies hanging out. I couldn't quite let go, so I chopped them up and reapplied them to some larger, plain tees. On the left I did a reverse applique, pinning the skull on the underside of the shirt and stitching around the bones and eyes with turquoise thread. The right shirt is a simple flag style (AKA rectangle). I left out a raw edge and sewed with red thread, changing stitches on my machine as a went, some zig-zag, straight, buttonhole style even. (click for close-up)

My sentimental self was so relieved not to have to part with the old shirts :)