A Fun Tutorial...

Some of the shirts I've made this way...

I have had a number of people ask me how I made the shirts for Ethan's Run, so I thought I would do my first tutorial. I am by no means an expert, but I have done a couple dozen shirts now, so I think I have the hang of it.  First of all, I will be talking about the Cricut machine, which I don't own (borrowed one) to do the cutting for you, but it can be done simply by printing your image and cutting it out freehand with scissors and an exacto knife.  The Cricut just makes it that much easier. (And, by the way, I really hope I get one for my birthday---hint hint Rusty)

So here's what you need- the basics:

• An iron and ironing board
• freezer paper (found by the aluminum foil etc...)
• Fabric paint, I liked the Tulip Slick version
• scissors
• t-shirt
• foam brushes (one per color using, it saves so much time)
• your Cricut, Silhouette Machine or your own ingenuity
• Also, a t-shirt form. You can get them at Michael's, and Hobby Lobby which also has kids sizes. You can use regular cardboard, but this makes life easier, especially if you are making a few at once. 

1. After you get your design cut out onto the transfer paper (freezer paper), get your iron plugged in and ready your t-shirt.

2. Peel the design off the sticky board, careful not to rip it! Unlike doing vinyl lettering, you actually discard the letter, you only want the outline.

3. Once it is off, cut it down so it is easier to work with, just not super skinny, because the paint will get all over the edge of the stencil. Don't forget to grab the inner pieces that help form the letters!

4. Next, put paper SHINY side down, and iron. If it isn't where you want it, peel back carefully and reset. Make sure you do the inner edges carefully, so the paint won't run. The smaller the lettering, the more important this step becomes!

5. Get your paint ready! Easy enough, but you can also mix in glitter or mix colors together, just make sure you prepare enough pain for your project. Just to give you an idea, I used 2 full large bottles of black, 3 of green, one of red and one of white when I did the 15 Team Braden shirts.

6. Start applying paint to the shirt. I like to go around the edges and then fill in. Your brush strokes will sort of show, so just try to use nice lines. But truthfully, it's not a big deal.

7. Once the stencil is covered the package says to let dry for 4 hours. I usually waited an hour and peeled it off and then allowed it to fully dry.

8. Peel back the larger stencil pieces first. And no, you won't be able to use them over and over again. They sometimes need a little coaxing to come off. So yes, that means I printed out each of the words for all the Team Braden shirts 15 times.  I know, I need to earn a merit badge for that one.

After you peel off the smaller pieces (there is a Cricut tool for it- but I just used a toothpick)  all you have to do it wear your new creation!

Or in my case, use it to make a big announcement! 

I'll be wearing this for the next few months, then the baby will get a shirt of their own.

Yup, Beck Baby #4 will be arriving in October.  

Yes, another October baby, and yes I have been super sick and want to give a huge shout out to my Mom and Dad for doing my laundry and cleaning my house, for my Mother in law for also doing our laundry and cooking for my men, as well as my sweet nephews who gave up most of their Spring Break to help me with the kids! And honestly, without Rusty this house would fall apart. He is so sweet and understanding, and lets me do what I need to to get through the rough weeks. Even sweet Braden will bring me water if he hears me puking, I know, so sweet right? Super excited to see what this baby will be...

And in case you are super confused and actually want to do the tutorial, there are a lot of good ones out there on you tube and e-how or on a ton of craft blogs...