Made It By Monday Summer Series: Freezer Paper Tshirts

Summer is almost over and I can NOT believe it. The idea that a week and a half from now I'll be sitting in a classroom thinking about all the work I have to do is not a good one. When I'm working all those hours in the summer sometimes I think 'school is easier,' but looking at it from this end of the summer I'm not so sure.

This tutorial is very easy and is a great way to add a personal touch to anything in your wardrobe. Plus it uses very few supplies.

WHAT YOU NEED:

1. Tshirt (any color and really any fabric will do, though I recommend 100% cotton or a cotton blend in a light color)

2. Freezer paper

3. Iron

4. Fabric paint

5. X-acto knife

6. Paintbrush

7. Piece of cardboard

8. Pencil

9. Computer paper

Step 1: Create your design

I drew mine with a sharpie, but you can also print out an image you like from the internet. Make sure to use something that is easy to cut out and doesn't have too many thin lines.

Step 2: Trace your design

Using a pencil, trace your design onto the freezer paper.

Step 3: Cut out your stencil

Using an X-acto knife, cut out the insides of your stencil.

Step 4: Iron the stencil to your shirt

Shiny-side down, iron the freezer paper to your shirt, making sure to center it.

Step 5: Paint

I chose to just go with black paint, but different colors and an elaborate stencil could really bring this DIY to the next level. I just used an old paintbrush from a kid's craft set.

Put a piece of cardboard (I used an old cereal box) between the two layers of fabric so it doesn't bleed through. Be sure to evenly paint inside the stencil, and take your time.

Step 6: Let dry

The directions on my bottle of fabric paint said 4 hours, but it was blazing hot and super sunny the day I did this, and 1.5 hours was definitely enough time. Just wait for it to completely dry.

Step 7: Carefully peel off the freezer paper and wear!

This is a method that allows for a lot of variation and personalization. If you try this at home please post a picture!

20 comments

kajedAugust 27, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Oh, it looks so good! I wish we had Freezer Paper here in Australia so I could give it a try.
PumpkinAugust 28, 2012 at 2:10 PM
Very cute design, and definitely something I would like to try for myself (although I'm not sure if I can design anything nearly as adorable as yours). Good luck with going back to school, it can be a drag having the summer end, but you'll soon get back in the hang of things!
wiseknitsSeptember 10, 2012 at 3:56 AM
haha thank you! If you don't feel comfortable drawing you can always print out a picture from the internet!
wiseknitsSeptember 10, 2012 at 3:57 AM
Hmmm, I wonder if there is some sort of substitute? It might just be called craft paper?
Artsy Fartsy Crafts | PearltreesSeptember 10, 2012 at 10:50 AM
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atasteofmadessSeptember 10, 2012 at 7:04 PM
This is so cute! What a great idea!
Bruce Doxey (Bruce@Doxey.org)September 11, 2012 at 5:48 AM
Maybe any waxed paper would work? If not, shelf "paper" which is just a sticky backed plastic film with a paper backing that you pull off. I use that for acid etching glass.

Pretty girl BTW!
BambiSeptember 11, 2012 at 7:17 AM
I can see using this idea to cover up some small light stains on a t-shirt. Will have to try
jennSeptember 11, 2012 at 2:03 PM
can you use wax paper??
wiseknitsSeptember 11, 2012 at 2:13 PM
I'm not sure about wax paper, but I believe something called 'shelf paper' might worked based on a previous comment.
MandaSeptember 12, 2012 at 2:35 AM
I recently made something similar. I cut the stencil out of regular computer paper and then stuck it down with a *washable* Elmer's glue stick (mine was purple). Just wash it after the paint dries to get the glue residue out. Worked like a charm.
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kajedSeptember 12, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Ooo how clever! I might have to give it a try!
crafts | PearltreesSeptember 15, 2012 at 12:13 PM
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LaurenSeptember 16, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Can you use parchment paper?? Would that be the same?
wiseknitsSeptember 16, 2012 at 3:28 PM
I think parchment paper would work just fine! If you want, you can test a small piece of it by ironing it on a shirt and seeing if it peels off cleanly.
LaurenSeptember 17, 2012 at 7:00 AM
I've tried it and it doesn't seem to want to stick. Any other options? Like the Elmers glue idea? Anything that can work!!
SaraNovember 13, 2012 at 1:42 PM
Such a great idea, This is definitely on my to do list! Im going to try it on a muslin bag though.
jennyNovember 13, 2012 at 2:56 PM
That sounds like an awesome idea! Make sure you post a picture of the finished project! Thanks for commenting :)

Monday, August 27, 2012