ARCHIVE DIY: Symmetrical Print Shirt

This project is super easy, and it also happens to be SUPER cheap!

MATERIALS: 

-Shirt (color of your choice)

-Dimensional fabric paint (multiple colors of your choice)

Once you have your "dimensional fabric paint" which you can find just about anywhere it's time to find your shirt! I first started with an old black black t-shirt that I NEVER wear. I has the color scheme in mind so I go to making it!

I used fabric paint pens because that is what I found at my local Wal-Mart, so (for me at least) open up the package and pop the seals of the pens you are using right now. I chose blues, pinks, purples, and silver… I was going to use white but actually picked the silver accidentally… still looks great! 

Start to squirt blobs of paint in any type of design but stay on one side of the shirt leaving the other empty. Once you have the colors and designs (or blobs) on half of the shirt it is time to make it symmetrical! Fold the black empty side over onto the side with paint. Take your time, I went too fast and my shirt is a little crooked! Once it is folded in half press the sides together. Go around and press down anywhere you think there is paint… or just everywhere!

Now it is time for the great reveal! Unfold and carefully peel the two sides apart. You should have an amazing and unique symmetrical print on your shirt (or other garment that looks like no other!

I also picked up some "blank bandanas" while at Wal-Mart. They are basically hemmed 22'' squares that you can draw, paint, and embellish! I started to draw on one with fabric markers and fabric pens and haven't got around to finish it but the it already looks amazing worn! So I decided to try to make a symmetrical McQueen inspired print bandana following the same method! Sadly the paint was too thick for the thin bandana and when it dried it became hard to wear.

I also made an apron for my nephew! My mommom says it looks like a frog wearing a dress!

72 hours after applying the paint I washed the pieces following my fabric paint brand's directions, and after many, many, MANY washes later the print is still on and looking good! I hope you all enjoyed this "ARCHIVE DIY", and there will be a NEW DIY next Saturday!

Now back off to my Rhinstoned Dreams,

Zane Walker

ARCHIVE DIY: Galaxy Print Cardigan

Today's "ARCHIVE DIY" post is….

"Galaxy Print Cardigan/Garment of your choice!"

Materials: 

-Dark colored garment (grey cardigan in my case)

-Small bottles of fabric paint in your color choices

-Water

-Sponge paint brushes 

-Area to work on

Set up your workspace and (if you are working on some sort of top) place cardboard or foam board cut to fit between the layers to avoid the bleeding of paint. Start to mix your colors into nice blends varying from dark to light. While blending your colors cut in water to thin out the paint. Thinning out the paint allows you to use less at a time and give you better layering to create "gases" and "cosmos".

Start painting! I ripped the foam piece off of a foam paint brush, this gives you more power over the application. Starting with the dark variation of your first color paint it onto the garment kind of patchy and messy. Now go into the next variation of the color, a little lighter. Do the same over the dark spot just painted but apply it so you can still see through to the darker parts. Do this with your varying lighter shades until you have create this pieces of your galaxy garment.

Once you have done this in the areas wanted using varying colors and shades it's time for the stars. I used both a pencil and a plastic bristle paint brush to make the stars. You can use white and yellow straight from the bottle or cut with water, depending on your preferences. At first I dabbed the pencil in white and made dots throughout the designs, but I found it took too long and looked a bit artificial. So I dabbed my plastic bristle paint brush in the white and kind of flung it over and at the garment. This gives it a randomized dot and splatter that looks like natural stars. You can repeat this with a yellow or gold color for varying stars.

Once you are done painting allow to dry. Following your fabric paint brands instruction for washing. I used Tulip which states wait 72 hours before washing inside out. I did so and all of the paint stayed put and the final product looks amazing, if I say so myself! 

I hope this helps you make your own Galaxy Print Garment, I am going to make a galaxy print bandana (using blank bandanas), and maybe a pair of old shoes! I bought the smallest bottles of fabric paint they had at the store and still used less than half to make a full-bleed galaxy print cardigan!

I also made a mini tote bag for my nephew!

Now back off to my Rhinestoned Dreams,

Zane Walker