Fabric Paint for Dummies????

[VillianGirl]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been around these parts in a while. I just booked a trip for DS's 11th birthday in January. We've done the birthday thing at WDW once before and I know all about the badge but I would like to create something memorable and noticable for the birthday boy.

I was thinking of doing a Disney character T-shirt with something like "It's my birthday!!!" or "Kiss me! I'm 11!" (just kidding, he wouldn't wear it).

Can any of you crafty-types give me a crash course in using fabric paints? Any particular brands you like? Anything I should beware of?

Thanks,
VG

[Flash]

Maybe Claire will come by - she makes shirts with the iron on transfers. If you have a decent printer, I would go that route. Then you can guarantee spacing and font.

The fabric paints are kinda messy. I found them to be pretty interchangeable as far as brands go. There are lots of varieties. I think what you use will depend on the look you want. If you are really crafty and good at lettering, these are about as easy to use as markers or squeeze bottle paints. If you aren't so crafty? you can have a mess.

[VillianGirl]

Thanks, Flash.

I don't know that I would say I'm "crafty" but I am decent at caligraphy.

I hadn't heard about this iron-on thing. If you or anyone else knows more about it, please let me know. If any of you can recommend a website with good instructions, please let me know.

[AndyL]

Dick Blick Crafts carries transfers that'll work for you. They have both Iron On & Ink Jet Fabric Kits where you make an Applique http://www.dickblick.com/itemgroups-i/imagetransfer/

[Cinderella]

Hi Villian Girl,
Got the message from Flash to contact you about t-shirt for your son. I've made a lot of t-shirts for trips to DW with DH and I and for Magic Meets etc. It seems like the easiest way to go if you want to try it.

I buy iron-on transfer paper for the computer. I pick a picture or saying etc. and use my Print Shop to make up the page. (you can use any word programto make up the page also as long as it's easy to print out). I then just use the iron-on transfer paper in the computer (make sure before you print it's on the "print in reverse" mode setting - t-shirt has to be printed in reverse so when you iron it on it comes out reading forward). The directions for ironing it on are on the transfer paper box. Just make sure you use a dry iron (not steam) and press down hard and evenly as you iron over it. Go from left to right and top to bottom. Make sure the edges are all sealed and wait five minutes or more for it to cool down. Then tear off the transfer paper and.................Voila! ...................you have your own personal t-shirt.

I've made special ones for DH and I when the trip to DW was an anniversary or birthday present. I had one with pics of us on our honeymoon 15 years ago with the pic we took with Mickey and wrote that it was our special return anniversary trip to DW. We got tons of free desserts at each restaurant when we wore those shirts!!! I also made one last year for Magic Meets with our pics on them. Made one this year for me with Cinderella wearing a red hat but never wore it there - shirt was huge!

PM me if you need any questions answered. I found the iron-on transfer paper to be less messy than any paints and easier to wash. Just turn the shirt inside out the first time you wash it and iron the inside of it before the first wash - sets the picture so it doesn't run. Haven't had any problems yet.

I love the process as you can put any picture or any saying you want on the shirt. You can make a banner also out of cloth to hang in a room. Cotton material is best and takes the picture best.

Good luck and show us the results!!!!

[VillianGirl]

Thanks so much everyone for your help!

I will post some pictures of the finished results.