Do you ever feel that your handmade garments are looking a bit too, well, handmade?

So the other day I was wearing the Olivia Tee I’m wearing on the picture on the right.januar_14-20

My 18 year old bonus-daughter (who is a fashion addict) said: “That’s a cool t-shirt! New? Where did you get it?” (well, obviously she said it in Danish, but it translates into something like that…)

So i asked her what she liked about it and obviously it’s the shape (which I love too) and the way top is flattering – but she also likes the print – and we figured out that the print really is what makes this kind of boring dark grey tee stand out.

So I wrote a newsletter about it – but then I thought I would share it on the blog as well – so here it is:

 

Here we go, taking great care into fitting and sewing our new top/dress/skirt.
We make sure to press and everything, but still it seems like the final garments lack something.
What is it? I find that it’s often the little details that does it. Or the bigger details.
And quite often it’s some sort of print on the front or back, that makes all the difference!
So today I’m going to show you how you make that print using fabric paint and either screen print or stencils!

You will need:supplies

  • Something to print on (like a t-shirt)
  • Fabric paint (sometimes called fabric ink)
  • Stencils (which you can easily make yourself)
  • OR Screen print templates (that you buy from hobby shops)
  • OR Screen + stencils (also easily made)
  • An iron, some newspapers and a sponge

Screen Printing

Screen printing gives the most detailed and often most professional results.
Also you can use your screen print many times.I get my screen printing templates (which includes mesh) at the fabric store or hobby store. But you can easily make your own screen print frame (using mesh fabric stretched over an old picture frame or an embroidery hoop) + stencils and – for the very detiled print – decoupage glue.The process of creating a screen printing design can be seen in these tutorials [link][link] and [link] which I found via a small google-ing session (the methods are a little different, but I like them all – and especially like the simpleness of the first one)For the store bought template I’m using below, I don’t need the frame as the mesh is already included.PicMonkey Collage

1. Place your t-shirt (I used a Birgitte Basic Tee in rayon jersey) in front of you. Put a newspaper or some cardboard inside the t-shirt – to prevent the paint from bleeding through.
2. The fabric paint I used was a little thick, so I watered it down a bit for it to be able to go through the mesh. Pour the paint onto your screen and drag it using a piece of plastic or cardboard to distribute it evenly all over the design.
3. Lift off the screen and let the paint dry (it says on the bottle that my paint should dry for 24 hours).
4. Iron the motive through a pressing cloth. On my paint it says to iron for 5 minutes. It depends on the paint  – read the label!

 Stencils

Stencils are templates which you can buy pre-made or cut out from paper, vinyl or cardboard.The one I’m using today, is a free design I found by doing a search for free printable stencils. I found it [here].
I printed it, cut it out using an excacto knife – and then I was ready to go.stencil

1. Cut your stencil and place it on a t-shirt (this one is a kimono tee) that already has a newspaper inside it (as explained above). Tack it down with some tape or temporary fabric glue (like patchworkers use). I didn’t use the glue this time (I couldn’t find it ;-)), but it works really well!
2. Use your sponge (or a brush) to paint inside the motive. Use an up-and-down motion so you don’t accidentally smear paint under the stencil.
3. Lift off the stencil (and throw it away if it was made from paper). let the fabric and paint dry for as long as it says on the paint bottle.
4. Iron the t-shirt through a pressing cloth for as long as it says on your bottle.

P.S. Did you know that I have released 2 new patterns this month? It’s the Olivia Oversize Tee (the one I’m wearing in the pic) and the Pernille Pencil Dress. I have a special offer going on until March 1st, (you save 35%) if you want them both – it’s right here