DIY: Wearing your Favorite Quote

This is one of my favorite DIY projects I have done over the past year, so I had to share it here on my personal blog. For as long as I can remember, my favorite quote has been: "As we are creative beings, our life becomes a work of art", which is why that is what I chose to put on my shirt. Anyway, I am really happy about how it turned out and can definitely see myself making more shirts like this.

Above photo courtesy of MyCuteLadyBug Photography

Supplies:

• T-Shirt (I purchased mine at Love Culture for $5.90)
• Clorox Bleach Pen (purchased this at Target for under $3)
• Tulip Fabric Paint ( $.79 at Michael’s)
• Small Paint Brush
• Something to paint over (I used a plastic lid)
• Rag (to test the bleach pen)
• Chalk Pencil (optional and only if you wanted to draw out a design first on your shirt)

This project enables you to be as creative as you’d like! I decided to write my favorite quote on my shirt, but you could really draw or write anything.

If you wanted to draw something out first before making it permanent with bleach, I suggest using a chalk pencil. You can find them at most fabric and craft stores.

Before you start, you will also want to put something in between the front and back of the shirt so the bleach doesn’t bleed through. I used a lid off of a plastic tote, but craft stores do sell actual t-shirt boards. I just forgot to pick one up!

Next, test the bleach pen on a rag before starting, so you can see how it flows. The bleach will expand after about 10 minutes from making a mark, so just keep that in mind.

After writing out the quote, I let the bleach sit on the shirt for about 15 minutes. Then I rinsed the shirt in hot water in the kitchen sink and hung it to air dry.

The next day after the shirt was completely dry, I went back with a tube of Tulip paint to define the letters. Using a small paint brush, I smoothed out the paint.

And voila! You have a new one of a kind shirt for around $10!

Questions or Comments? I’d love to hear from you!