Create a T-Shirt Design - Done

Hello Friends,

After beginning an illustration class, and not really digging the first assignment, I began reworking a t-shirt design that I had started in the fall.  It combines my fascination with bubbles and their power to calm toddlers with shape work.  I think I finally managed to get the bubble blower more accurate proportions.

Much love,

Nicole

Making Monday: Bunting

Handmade custom bunting to replace crepe paper.  Easy and reusable.

Making Monday: Teddy Bear

 

In an attempt to use up some of the materials we have sitting around this Bear pattern got chosen. He is very friendly, though he was not very easy to make, I am happy with the result. His blue body is made from corduroy upholstery, his shirt scraps from Ghanaian fabric and his shorts are simple brown cotton.   

Making Monday: Recycle Blanket

Mattress pad leftover from previous roommate = batting.  T-shirts = top of blanket.  Old sheets = t-shirt backing and blanket bottom.

Making Monday: Freezer Paper Magic

 

1.  Take a piece of paper.  Draw a design.  We would suggest something not as complicated as our first one, shown here. 

2.  Trace your design in ink or colored pencil so you will be able to trace the design onto the freezer paper clearly.

3.  Cut a piece of freezer paper slightly larger than your design.  Trace the design onto the matte side of the freezer paper by placing your drawing underneath the freezer paper shiny side down.

4.  Tape the freezer paper to a cutting surface and use a crafting knife to cut out the parts of the design you would like to be inked.

5.  Choose a fabric item to affix the design to.
6.  Using an iron on medium-high heat attach the design, shiny side down, to the fabric.  Hold the iron even and flat to press down across the design a few times first so that none of the edges get folded over by the iron.  Then move the iron back and forth a few times to stick the design completely to the fabric.  We also found placing a piece of paper between the iron and design can help keep the corners from folding over.  This process does not take long at all.  Be sure to keep the iron moving and not burn the fabric.
7.  Attach another piece of freezer paper the size of the design on the other side of the fabric to avoid bleed through.  You can do this before or after you attach the design to the fabric.  We did it before the design because we had to turn the t-shirt inside out in order to attach the protective sheet to the inside.
8.  Use fabric paint to paint within the stencil using a brush by dabbing up and down or pulling the paint from the freezer paper to the fabric to avoid getting paint underneath the edges of the stencil.

9.  Wait for the paint to dry.  Add another coat or two if necessary.  Then peel off the freezer paper using a tweezers for any tough spots.  Peel off the back piece as well.

10.  Use a small brush or toothpick to touch up any problem spots.
11.  Heat set with an iron, wash, and use.

Making Monday: The Basket

I began a very intense adventure of trying to use all the t-shirt material left over from making t-shirt quilts. What had started as a medium bowl/hamper thing to hold projects I was in the middle of or latter in life toys the kids had left on the floor, grew into crocheting a basket to hold blankets next to the couches.

The project has now been completed! It is very unwieldy, and huge, and works quite well. It is really very fun to touch and look at.

Making Monday: Project Tote

I was so inspired by my grocery tote that I modified the tote bag pattern a little to make myself a small project bag to make transporting knitting projects smoother. My great aunt Bertie has been cleaning out her fabrics which has meant amazing things for me. The outside of this bag, is made almost only out of pre-cut squares, she gave me, sewn together to make this patchwork fabric. I used some of the leftover ones to make a small pocket on the inside, which is adorable. Now all I have to do is get knitting.

Making Monday: Tote Bag

I recently sewed up a grocery tote bag and added a quilt square/circle for some fun decoration. It has been holding up really well. I used the tote bag pattern out of the "One Yard Wonders" book, which was fun knowing that I am supporting other crafty Minneapolis women (one of the authors is co-owner of Crafty Planet). And because I want to use it and show it off I actually remember to bring it into the store with me!

Making Monday: Quilt Square

I recently saw someone who's sister had sewn a log cabin onto the back of her fall coat. Well I got inspired and made up a quilt square of my own to sew onto my coat. I'm quite happy with the result. It is so much fun to pull out the scraps of fabric and make them into yet another thing.

Making Monday: Hankies!

We have once been plagued with the colds of the children we work with. And so...

We made more hankies, to keep up with the demands of our noses!

Making Monday: Recycled Surprise Quilt

We decided to make a quilt together for our roommate while he was out of town. We cut up a fleece tie blanket for the batting, Star Wars sheets, and a plain flat sheet for the back and border. This weekend project was quite fun.

Making Mondays: Embroidered Coat

Wanted to add color to a well used winter jacket. Embroidery floss and needle.

Making Monday: Christ's Mass Stockings

One of us likes the Christ's Mass and one of us despises it with angry passion. We compromised and made stockings with handmade gifts in them. Puzzle, replacement id badge, knitted card, and cans with string.