DIY - Birthday Holiday Graphic Shirt

My love of graphic t-shirts is well known. I've even done a graphic t-shirt DIY once before (here). With the Holidays and my Birthday coming up, I knew I wanted to do something fun and festive. For me, nothing screams celebration more than champagne.

source: wsj.net

Then last weekend, I spotted this clutch at the Kate Spade outlet in Potomac Mills Mall. It was a sign. Perfect for a t-shirt.

 

I had a t-shirt just waiting for a DIY. I grabbed some stencils, paint, brushes, a Sharpie, a ruler, and some tape.

 

 

SUPPLIES

Rose Gold Paint - I used Martha Stewart Metallic (Copper)

Stencils - I used 2" letters

Sharpie - Copper

Angled paint brushes - I used a medium size (about 1/4" and a tiny 1/16")

Ruler

Tape

T-shirt

 

I started by measuring the shirt and marking the center and then each line with tape. Measuring is my least favorite part of this DIY. I took the lazy way out and used the tape width as a spacer. Once I was sure the first line was straight and centered, I used it as my guide for the other two. 

 

Then I placed the letters for the first word. Since I only had one of each letter (like the P and the Z), I had to move them as I marked off the letter outline. I left the openings where I would need to connect the blank spaces in the stencil and filled those in after I removed the stencil.

 

After I marked off all of the letters, I places a dollop of paint on a paper plate and began painting.

 

 

Because the paint I chose wasn't specifically made for fabric, I needed to apply it extra heavy. I couldn't find fabric paint in rose gold so I am rolling the dice and using glass paint. The bottle says that the paint needs to dry for 72 hours in order to be dishwasher safe. I hope this will also hold true for clothes washer safe. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

 

I repeated this process until I had filled in all of letters. My shirt is just waiting for this weekend. I think it's going to be part of my Birthday Brunch outfit.

 

 

Frugal Fashion Friday - Graphic Tees

It wasn't intentional but I guess there is a running theme this week.  It may have been my visit to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame but I can't get enough of graphic tees paired with all sorts of bottoms.  Of course you can wear them with your favorite jeans or shorts but I'm loving them with unexpected choices like pretty skirts or tuxedo jackets and printed pants. Lately I've been searching for lots of different graphic tees.  My jaw hit the floor when I was searching and I saw a tee for over $1500!  I don't care if it's a Lanvin t-shirt. $1500?! That's nuts.  There were lots that were in the $300 range.  How can anyone justify paying $300 and up for a t-shirt?  I couldn't even pay over $50 for a t-shirt.  That just doesn't work for my budget. There are so many fun options that are $35 and under.  Even $35 is pushing it for me because I know there are fun options that are under $20. For a t-shirt that you'll wear occasionally, $35 is my max.  Check out all of these fun tees!

Click the photos above for details.

If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own graphic tee with just three simple items. Your DIY shirt will be uniquely yours. Click here to follow my tutorial. 

Happy Friday Real Girls!