Friday, June 24, 2011

linear design t-shirt...

99% of my wardrobe is made up of solid colored layering tees, tops, and cardigans.  There are a few prints and patterns thrown in, but I usually wear layered solids with fun accessories.  Seriously, I've got every color of the rainbow.

However, when it gets hot in the summer I don't like to wear layers as often... and a solid t-shirt with some cargo shorts isn't that exciting of an outfit.  So when I picked up some cheap cotton tees last week (that I can mostly wear without a layering tee underneath), I made a goal to do some simple embellishments to liven things up a bit.

I had this idea to use fabric markers to draw some kind of pattern with vertical lines that I couldn't get out of my head, so I gave it a shot--


It was a really easy way to a some interest to a plain ol' shirt.
Here's how I did it...


You will need:
a light colored t-shirt
fabric markers - I had a
Set of 10
Crayola fabric markers but Sharpie just came out with a
Set of 8, Assorted Colors
that I'd like to try...
a long ruler - I used my quilting ruler (and the excess marker wiped right off, so don't worry.)
cardboard or posterboard
a pencil
an iron

Start by putting a piece of cardboard in between the layers of your shirt.  I had a piece of blue posterboard lying around, so in it went.  Then I measured out my stripes at the bottom of my shirt like so:

I made my stripes 3/4" wide, and about 7/8" apart.  The tick marks are drawn with a pencil.  (They'll wash right out.)

Next, use your long ruler and fabric markers to draw your stripes.  

I did 5 lines per stripe and used different line lengths at the top to mimic the look of a notched ribbon.

I found that my marker tip would catch on the knit, so my lines varied in thickness.  Once I did all my stripes with a ruler, I went back and cleaned up each line free-hand.  (They still aren't perfect, but it looks good enough for me.)

After that, all you have to do is heat-set your design according to the directions on your fabric marker packaging and you're done.

More shirts to come...

16 comments:

  1. That is really cute! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  2. That's awesome! Bring on more shirts!

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  3. Super cute! At first I thought it was fabric, then ribbon, but it's just markers! So simple and cute! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  4. Saw you at Flamingo Toes Link Party. I think this came out so cute! So simple, with great results!

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  5. Amazing! I would never have guessed it was markers! Great idea!

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  6. This is a really cute idea and so simple!!! I love it and can't wait to try it!!

    Found you through Think Pink Sundays No. 16!!

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  7. LOL I saw a shirt similar to this on Big Bang Theory, only with the lines going horizontal, and I so wanted to make it. This one is very cute and easy to make! Love it!

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  8. I like it. I have a thing for strip patterns. I don't know why, but now I'm jonesing for this shirt. Might have to go whip one up!

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  9. Great idea! I'd love for you to link up at Inspire Me Mondays! http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com

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  10. This is SO dog gone cute! Saw your post over at Not Just A Housewife and had to come by and check out the shirt. :)

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  11. This is so absolutely cute! You can't go wrong with lots of lines and lots of color!

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  12. I came over from Sumo's Sweet Stuff..this is such a cool idea!

    Kayla
    Freckles in April

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  13. I love this simple, yet so cute idea! I think I might have to try it out. I found your blog from the LDSETSY post. Love your blog & I look forward to reading more of your posts.
    Take care,
    Shauna (LearnandGrow)
    myshaenoel.blogspot.com

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  14. I will try do this with about 4 strands of embroidery thread in different colours or maybe even a variegated thread.

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