How to Print on Fabric

Do you have this problem?  I always get this 'idea' in my mind of an exact shirt I want, for me or my littles, and then I can't find it.  Or it's too expensive.  Most of the time, I just make it myself.  But sometimes that's hard, like if it's some sort of screen print.

Then, I had an idea.  I have a good printer.  Well, I think.  I like it, at least.

Why not print on fabric?  I've seen tutorials for freezer paper and the like, but I didn't ever feel like messing with that.  So why not?  Worst case scenario, I have to replace the printer.  Good thing it worked out.

Here's what I did.

First, I started with an old knit shirt.  It had little holes all over and more than one stain.

Then, I cut a piece to 8.5x11, for printing.  I also cut a piece of WonderUnder to the same size.

I ironed the two pieces together, and then taped it to a sheet of cardstock, to stabilize it for the printer.

Then I dinked around in Photoshop until I had a few things I wanted to print, crossed my fingers, and pressed 'print'.

It worked!

 

Then I just used the 'knit' stitch on my sewing machine to attach the graphics to shirts.  The top one is a cute little onesie for Little Dude, and the bottom is my new Republican shirt {go Mitt!}.  Don't be mad, Dad.

 

Here's a tip:  if you're ever in the market for a plain shirt {retailers totally missed the boat on that market}, check out the girls' section.  I can get by with a large or extra-large, and they are usually half the price of the same thing in the women's or junior's section.  So dumb.

I have no idea if this is machine-washable.  I figured I'll find out when it's time to wash them.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with my $5 project!

Quick Shirt Upcycle

 

I recently followed this tutorial to transform an old shirt of MacGyver's.  I'm loving the nautical look.

The best part is that it only took about 20 minutes.

Happy Sewing!

Some Pinteresting Socks

99.9% of my leisure time is spent on Pinterest.  And I know I'm not alone.

I kept seeing these pins for cute boot socks with lace and buttons.  I loved the mix of trendy and vintage.  Since they are going for an average of $40 on etsy, I figured I could make some easily enough.

And!  It's a quick project.  Behold:

It's so quick, in fact, that I didn't take any pictures.

Supplies Needed:

one yard of lace

knee socks

buttons

1. Cut the lace in half so you have two half-yard pieces.

2. Machine-sew them onto the top of the socks (make sure you stretch and sew at the same time).

3. Sew the buttons on.

Done.

So far, they haven't gotten good reviews from my critics, but I love them and that's all that matters.

Today I'm wearing them with boots, skinny jeans, and a sweater.  Cozy for a Saturday.

What I {Want to} Wear Friday

Remember how my insurance company is paying me to lose the baby weight?  Well, I visited my doctor this week and I should be getting my check next week.  Awe.  Some.

So I was strolling through Target the other day {thank you, iPhone, for entertaining the preschooler} and saw a few things that caught my eye.

Ultrasoft Boyfriend Cardigan in Oatmeal Heather

Long Trench Coat in Black/Grey Plaid

Denim Skinny

Ramone Tunic Top

Suffice it to say that I'm stalking the mailman until I have this cash in my hands!