I buy a lot of those plain tees from WalMart. They’re cheap, they fit pretty well, and if I stain them I don’t feel like I burned a huge hole in my wallet. That’s something I do a lot… stain them. I’m a messy crafter, and I’m also a messy cook. So buying cheap tees is definitely the way to go. Sometimes though, I manage to stain a shirt after only wearing it a couple of times. That makes me feel a bit robbed. I mean, gosh, I only wore it twice and now I can’t wear it in public anymore because I accidentally leaned to close to the grill while cooking?
That’s why I made this tee. Using fabric paints is a great way to cover up little stains on a barely used top so as to get more life out of it. I wasn’t quite ready to retire this shirt to the “indoor-only” pile.
I’ve actually wanted to try this method for quite some time. I’ve had it in my head for ages, so when I discovered two little marks on my bright white shirt, I knew this was the right time. And after making this and putting it through numerous washes (I made this last summer and STILL wear it, A LOT), I know I’ll be making more!
If you aren’t sure who Jackson Pollock was, he was a famous American artist that was very well known for his drip painting method. He was an influential figure during the abstract expressionist movement of the 40’s and 50’s.
The paint I used for this tee was So Soft Fine Glitter Flexible Fabric Paint. I really like it because the name is true to its word, it’s soft and flexible, not hard and stiff. i know you can find it at Michaels, but chances are they carry it at Hobby Lobby and maybe even JoAnn’s too. I think you can buy it directly from DecoArt’s website too.Anyway, the colors I used were:
- Purple Passion
- Sizzling Red
- Celebration Pink
- Turquoise Sparkle
- Ice Crystal
- Lemon Drop
- Limelight
- Tiger Orange
PLEASE NOTE: The full supply list and printable instructions can be found at the end of this post. Click the printer icon for a printer friendly version.
I have a painting easel, so I found it easiest to place a couple of my unopened canvases on the easel and stretch the shirt over the top. You could simply insert a piece of cardboard inside the shirt, maybe line it with some waxed paper as well.
This is pretty simple really, and quite fun! Load a small paintbrush with one of the paint colors and aim it at the shirt. Just wing it! Just like you were throwing one of those lawn darts overhand. I did each color 3 or 4 times, repeated some of the colors until I was happy with the design.
Next I added some super easy flowers. No artistic ability needed. Just brush and blend some yellow and orange petals by adding curved strokes.
Add in some green curved strokes for leaves here and there along the line of flowers.
For the flower centers, I used Iced Crystal and some of the pink. There was quite a bit of blending going on. Again, no rules!
That’s it; now just let it dry. I left it on the easel for a couple of hours and then transferred it to a clothes hanger. It will need to sit for 48 hours before going in to the washing machine.
A fun way to dress up a tee and a great way to display your artwork!
More adult wearable crafts
Looking for some more wearable craft projects for grown ups? I have several adult wearable crafts here, but I’ve also hand picked a few that I like in particular, you can see those below.
Jackson Pollock Inspired Tee
Supplies
- White t-shirt
So Soft Fine Glitter Flexible Fabric Paint:
- Purple Passion
- Sizzling Red
- Celebration Pink
- Turquoise Sparkle
- Ice Crystal
- Lemon Drop
- Limelight
- Tiger Orange
Instructions
- Insert a piece of cardboard inside the shirt, maybe line it with some waxed paper as well.
- Load a small paintbrush with one of the paint colors and aim it at the shirt. Just wing it! Just like you were throwing one of those lawn darts overhand. I did each color 3 or 4 times, repeated some of the colors until I was happy with the design.
- Next I added some super easy flowers. No artistic ability needed. Just brush and blend some yellow and orange petals by adding curved strokes.
- Add in some green curved strokes for leaves here and there along the line of flowers.
- For the flower centers, I used Iced Crystal and some of the pink. There was quite a bit of blending going on. Again, no rules!
- That’s it; now just let it dry for a couple of hours and then transfer it to a clothes hanger. It will need to sit for 48 hours before going in to the washing machine.
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Gloria Hooper says
What a great idea!!! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for sharing
this…….
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Gloria, hope you enjoy making it!
Joan says
your T technique has given me so many ideas for other uses — pillow cover, summer skirt to name 2. Love your shirt …..
Amanda Formaro says
That’s great Joan, hope you have fun!
Pam says
What a great way to save a stained shirt! I love the design and the colors. I’ll have to think about doing this before throwing my next white shirt in the dust rag bucket.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Pam! i hope you get a chance to try it :)
Peggy says
Talk about letting your creative juices flow! Love this idea.
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Peggy! It was definitely a fun project :)
Julie Smith says
This is sooooooo cute! i’ve just the sweat shirt i want to “paint”. Love this and your denim wreath. Keep crafting!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks so much Julie! I hope you get a chance to make one, it’s super fun :)
Nancy D says
I love this! I have not seen this paint before. My daughter has been wanting me to make her a shirt with a anchor on it. Lots of ideas with these tees and paints!
Amanda Formaro says
You will love the paint Nancy, it has such a nice soft feel to it!
Carolyn Hawkins says
I love your shirt. Love the way you let the paint go onto the sleeves, too. I used to do this to my tees and sweat shirts as well. I sometimes would extend it to go over the shoulder and some down the back.
I love your color combination, too! You certainly are talented, love, love, love this tee shirt!!!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you so much Carolyn! I’m so glad you like it :) I want to make more, just have to squeeze them in between other projects LOL