A while back I made this watercolor tee shirt with fabric markers when I guest posted at Sweet Rose Studio. It was so fun I wanted to share it here so you could make one for yourself, or maybe as a gift!
I made a video to show you how simple it is. This was a Hangout on Google+. Just so you know, this will be a weekly event –
Every Tuesday 6 pm PST/9 pm EST
Live Painting Video Hangouts on Google+!
Come Hangout & Paint!
If that time doesn’t work for you, no worries. Every HoA is recorded to my YouTube channel for you to watch at your convenience. Cool, huh? I’m really excited about these. But I’m also open to suggestions. Tell me what you want to see, or paint!
Today let’s paint, without using paint!
Supply List
- White cotton tee shirt (you could also use an apron or totebag)
- Tulip Fabric Markers
- Freezer paper
- Pattern
- paint brush
- Water
- Iron
These fabric markers are so fun and easy. I used them on a wildflower totebag last summer, but when I saw how they were used to create a watercolor effect, I knew I had to give it a try.
So simple! I do recommend trying this method on a piece of test fabric first though so you can get used to the markers + wet paintbrush.
I drew this quick ‘tree’ but you could use anything you wanted as a pattern.
After pressing the tee shirt, I cut around the pattern and placed it on the shiny side of the freezer paper. Then insert the pattern and freezer paper underneath the shirt, with the shiny side up.
Set your iron on “cotton” with no steam and press all around the freezer paper. This will give your fabric stability and prevent it from moving.
Next, I inserted a piece of cardboard to prevent the markers from bleeding to the back side of the shirt.
Now, all you do is trace the outline of your pattern.
I worked in small sections, one color at a time.
After marking a section, take a wet paintbrush and moisten the markings. Depending on how damp the brush is will determine how watercolor-y the effect will be.
Then I moved on to the tree. Just a couple of swirls . . .
. . . and a damp paintbrush.
You can make the markers flow more by adding more water. If you want more color, just add a little more marking.
I drew different colored circles for ornaments and just dabbed a bit of water on each.
If you wanted, you could go back over your design with markers and add a bit more definition. I kind of like the loose feel so I left it as is.
When I pulled the pattern out from inside the shirt it had some fun watercolor splotches too! I don’t know why the green didn’t show up, but I’m glad I had the cardboard inside the shirt!
So simple and it’s a really quick project!
So quick, in fact, I think I just might make one for myself too!
Don’t forget – tell me what you’d like to see painted in the Hangouts! You can paint along with me too! I’ll post supply lists here ahead of time. C’mon! Let’s paint together!
Colleen
[…] this tutorial is for a totebag you could also use the markers on almost any fabric. Tee shirts are cute too. However, I made this for my own mother who can always use another […]