Neither Hip Nor Funky

(Picture heavy post)

Step 1. We can have lots of fun
Step 2. 2. 2. There’s so much we can do
Step 3 3 3 It’s just you and me

Okay since that is all I know of that song, I will move on to the actual tutorial

Supplies:

• Freezer Paper, black marker, X-acto, envelopes
• Cutting Board, Matboard, or cardboard
• T-shirts, bags, etc.
• Fabric Paint (You can use regular acrylic paint in place of fabric paint. It works fine but can sometimes be a bit flaky after washing)
• Iron

Step 1. Place the waxy side of the freezer paper down and draw your image. I will use P. Edward Squidersons II as a demo.

Step 2. After sketching the image, use black marker to fill in all the areas that you want the paint to go through.

(If you are using a pre-printed image, you will start at this step. Convert your image to black and white. You can then tape your image facing the waxy side of the freezer paper. You will be able to see the black areas that you want to cut out through the freezer paper.)

Step 4. Make a copy of your image. If you have a simple shape, you can skip this step.

Step 5. Start to cut out your image. Save any of the cut out white pieces in an envelope.

For example, I saved Squidersons’ eyes, head pieces, and the areas between the legs.

You can throw out the black areas.

Step 6. Iron on the main stencil of your image, waxy side down. Make sure you place the iron straight down. You are likely to peel up parts of the stencil if you move it back and forth how you would normally iron.

Step 7. Grab the copy that you made of your image and your envelope full of pieces. Refer to the copy as you piece your image back together like a puzzle, ironing each piece down as you go.

Make sure that you are placing the small pieces waxy side down so that they don’t end up sticking to your iron.

Step 8. Start painting. It is better to dab at the stencil rather than use back and forth brush strokes, which are more likely to peel up the smaller sections of the stencil. Make sure to use a fairly thin layer of paint. (I’ve found out that if you put on too much paint, it is likely to smear in the wash and give you a splotchy t-shirt.)

Step 9. Let the paint dry completely before peeling up the stencil. You can use a hair dryer to speed up this step.

Step 10. Heat set the paint by pressing on each section for 20-30 seconds with the iron set on high. (If you didn’t use fabric paint, you can skip this)

You’re Done. Enjoy looking suave.

A quick recap:

Freezer paper is quick and easy…oh and fun, of course.. The lines are more crisp than what you get with fabric marker, and it is quicker than screen printing, unless you want multiple copies.

A few options for use:

(Clockwise from top)
1. Have a food stain on your shirt right between your boobies? Place food there on purpose.
2. Have dress shirts that you never wear? Add some flair.
3. Have paint stains on a shirt already? Add a stencil image. It may not cover the stains; however, they now seem like they are just part of the charm of the handmade tee.

I hope this was useful. Let me know if you have any questions.

*Look in the sidebar in the next day or two. I will post a template for the flower in the bottom picture and for Mr. P. Edward Squidersons II.

EDITED TO ADD:
If you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll reply.
I figured that I would answer a few of the common questions here also:

• Freezer paper is similar to wax paper, but it is only waxy on one side (this helps when you are trying to iron it down.)
• You can find it at most larger grocery stores. Smaller ones often don’t. (The ones in my neighborhood are small, so it took me three tries to find it. However, any major chain should have it.)
• Freezer paper peels off easily, leaving no residue. It seals well enough to create crisp lines but is not very sticky.

Edited to Add (4/7):

I have read that you can use the stencils up to 5 or 6 times with good results. (I haven’t tried this myself yet).