little elf shirt

I made this shirt for Sadie and am so happy with how it turned out. I saw ths idea on craftster about using freezer paper to make a iron-on stencil and it worked like a charm. I am having a hard time finding the tutorial at this moment, craftster is being slow, but you can find it with a search. Here's what I did-

I traced a silhouette and then cut it out with an x-acto then ironed it on the shirt. Then, this is the key I think, I ironed on another piece of freezer paper on the inside behind the elf, so the grain of the fabric couldn't shift and the paint couldn't soak though the back. I used fabric paint (Jacquard) and sort of dabbed it on. I let dry over night, heat set it, and we are good to go.

I know you can gocco this type of thing, but goccoing on fabric freaks me out. It's so quick, either it works or it doesn't and makes me crazy. If I thought I were going to do a lot of shirts with the same design- gocco or a silk screen would be better, but for one or two shirts, I love this method. The stencil isn't reusable, so you would have to cut another, but it only took about 5 minutes. Now I need to stop myself from doing this to everything in the hamper.

and here's my plug, mailorder #2 is on sale now over here. . . .

Comments

[Heather]

Great shirt. Love this idea. I'm thinking my 9-year-old could do some art for a father's day tee. We'll give it a shot. Planning ahead, you see.

[vegasandvenice]

Super super cute! Can't wait till 6!

[autum]

Thanks for posting this. I have read the tutorial at craftster but I don't think there were pictures and I am a visual learner. It makes sense now seeing it done.

[hillary]

brilliant! this may be the solution to the dearth of cute in Oscar's spring wardrobe. I'll have to put Tim on task to making t-shirt designs right away!

how well do they hold up through the wash?

[amy k.]

hillary-
the wash test is going to happen tonight-so I will show the proof-but I have never had bad luck with the heat-set paints before. . .

[Cassi]

Wow, Amy, it came out great! I remember this tutorial but you've really cleared it up for me. Love the elf design!

[rebecca]

oh my gosh! that is SOOO cool!!!
and i searched out this gocco thing.... i gotta get me one of those!

[Oiyi]

Thanks for the tutorial. It's quick and I don't have to invest in a lot of materials and tools.

[sally]

I just used freezer paper to print on some fabric, but the stencil idea is FAB! Thanks for sharing Amy!

[rebecca]

thanks for the tutorial! i love this idea!!

[lisa]

thank you so much for this post. i have heard of this technique before, but have never had it explained so clearly. so now i am actually going to try it out. goccoing on fabrics is a bitch.

[Sarah]

Link to craster tutorial:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=15045.0

Link to blog entry on neato things you can do with freezer paper:

http://craftster.org/blog/index.php?s=freezer+paper+stencil&searchbutton=Go%21

Bring on the tshirts!

[Lori]

wow! you probably just single handedly saved me mucho dineros with this idea! i'm in the mood for cute graphic t-shirts and was going to do some searching in order to purchase some. i can just make my own! nothing like one of a kind. thanks again! the fun never ends with you...

[shane]

i might have to try one of these myself. i've always wanted to make my own shirt.

[k8tykat]

fantastic idea.

also, just got me some mail order - woo-hoo!!

[kathreen]

great idea - and for those of us without a gocco - gives us hope

[daria]

wow, I love freezer paper, but never thought to use it for a stencil. so cute!

[Emy]

That's so cute! I plan on doing that to one of my son's shirts that I somehow ruined in the wash.

You can re-use the stencil if you carefully pull it off while wet, let it dry and re-iron it. I protected the iron with a towel just to be safe. I stenciled fabric for lampshades and repeated the stencil 6 times before it lost its ability to stick.

[Edwina]

Freezer paper? Is this an American thing - do any other Aussies know whether we have this ?? It looks fantastic!

[susan]

ok, that is like the best idea EVER. so cinchy and SO cute. the possibilities are endless! great elf!

[Dana]

What a cool idea, thanks so much for posting it.

[tuscanycastlegirl]

Love your design!
Thank you for the instructions.
I've got my mind set on making each of my children their own shirt to tuck in their Easter baskets. (lets see.... star wars theme, beatles theme, pony theme.... the ideas are endless...) I better get hoppin.

[beki]

What a great idea! I'm sure my kiddos would love a t-shirt with their favorite theme on the front.

[scribblesnbits]

Cuteness! Isn't it just the best feeling when you try a new technique and it works so well?

[Trish]

Oh I love this technique; it's so easy and cheap! About 10 years ago I did a gecko stencil design on a black t-shirt for my brother. It turned out prety neat and got lots of use.

I love your design :O)You've inspiring to give this technique another try , thank you :O)

[Creative Kismet]

Thanks for sharing this awesome technique!!! Your design is sooo cool. It turned out wonderfully! Now, I must search for freezer paper!!

[hannah]

the perfect solution for one or two shirts! and no guilt about using up a gocco screen. im a scrooge now...

[Emma]

That's a gorgeous t-shirt! I love the design and colours and it came out really well :)

[mijk]

Can anybody tell this european non native englishspeaker girl, what freezer paper is..? I love this idead can't think of what this is you're using..

[amy k.]

hi there mijk-
it's not really all that common here anymore, and harder to find, but it's used in cooking. it's not waxed paper, but similar, only heavier. it's made by Reynolds over here-

A sure way to find it is to contact some quilt shops. Freezer paper applique is a traditional method, so quilters know where to find this paper, or the euro version-I would think.

hope this helps-

[Meegan Blue]

Fantastic!!! I am definitely going to have to try this. I love your stencil...so great!

[eleny]

I use freezer paper for all sorts of things but this use never entered my mind! Your tee looks so cute. Thanks so much for showing us how.

[natascha]

A great t-shirt! I t a very good idea for one or two!

[Miss Dot]

if you are having trouble resisting doing all the tshirts in the hamper then don't try rubber stamps using archive ink on tshirts!!!! oh THAT is addictive! and they wash and wash and wash! I did one quickly over a stain I couldn't remove just to try it and now I barely own one plain T!

[the painted pear]

I am a little late...., but really wanted to let you know that I appreciated this little tutorial! Wax paper is so awesome, and so underutilized! Your shirts are great, and I can totally understand having to hold back on making your mark on every article in the hamper!!!

[Alex Noriega]

I love the elf! looking cool

[Melissa]

Oh my I love this and must give it a try, of course my to do list of crafts is growing way too long at this point that I don't know when I'll be able to get it ALL done but really want to.

[stella]

hi amy, this is so beautiful and brilliant!

i actually gocco'd all my t-shirts for renegade craft fair last year. it wasn't as quick as i thought it'd be like with paper... i had to individually squeegee through to insure clean printing. came out beautifully though, fyi.

now i must try this method!! :)

[Lynn in Tucson]

So cool! I've used f.p. for lots of stuff but not this. Next (like I need another project)!

Do you have a source for plain children's t-shirts? I've had a hard time finding them....

[amy k.]

hi there!
I have had good luck at american apparel . .
http://www.americanapparelstore.com/kids-short-sleeves.html

ox,
a.

[Kennedy]

the freezer paper business is old hat for us stenciling types:
communities.livejournal.com/stencilxcore

[Gina]

I know I'm late but is it me, I can't see the photos at the crafter tutorial page...

[Lisa]

For the plain kids t-shirt question... check out www.dharmatrading.com/ for blanks of all shapes and sizes. Even pets.

[ButterflyLane]

If you have a local Hobby Lobby store- they sell kids' (and adult) tees for about $3 each in a variety of colors.
I am totally going to try this- looks like so much fun!

[Marijke]

what is freezer paper???? is it the same as waxed baking paper???

[craftfetish]

Great shirt. Thanks for the tutorial, I'm going to have to try this.

[Alison]

Can't wait to try this. Thanks for the instructions!