As summer vacation comes to an end (*pausing for applause*), us parents are always looking for last ditch efforts to keep our kiddos occupied. Decorating t-shirts is always a favorite time-passer in our house but frankly, with 2 weeks left and counting until school starts, mama's tired; I don't feel like dealing with paints and their accompanying mess. Enter the brilliance of fabric markers!
Originally, I pitched this project to my sons as a thematic one involving drawing their favorite Summertime memory, on a plain t-shirt. I thought that it might be nice for them to wear it throughout the year as a reminder of some of the things they got to do on their off-time. The response from my 9-year-old however, was less than positive. It went something like this:
Tanner: Can we draw our least favorite memory instead?
Me: No. Why do you ask, though?
Tanner: Because if we could, mine would be of this project.
Ok then; it was clearly time for a Plan B.
Since school shopping has begun and with it has come many the request for one character shirt or another (Star Wars, Sponge Bob, Halo, etc.), I suggested that perhaps, they might want to draw their own versions of one of their favorites. This actually got them really excited--praise the crafty Gods! With a little persuasion and a pack of pens my boys created their shirts, their way: featuring Super Mario Bros. bomb guys. It was a good compromise if you ask me!
MaterialsPlain, light-colored t-shirt
Cardboard (Recycled box pieces, work great!)
Clothespins and/or Masking Tape
How-to
1. Have your child sketch out their idea on a piece of scrap paper (optional).
2. Stretch t-shirt out over cardboard; secure with tape or clothespins.
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3. Hand your little artist a pack of Fabric Markers and let him work his drawing magic, directly on the shirt.
With a little bit of time and almost no clean-up, your creative child has a wearable work of art that fits whatever his current, character fancy!
"Mad Bomb Guy", by Tanner
"Little Bomb Guys", by Tristan
xo,
Vickie
P.S. Want to see more kids' projects? Click here!
Vickie Howell is a mother, designer, author and crafty spokesperson. Her latest book Pop Goes Crochet, is on sale now. For more information and project ideas, go to: www.vickiehowell.com
Vickie Howell is a mother, designer, author and crafty spokesperson. Her latest book Pop Goes Crochet, is on sale now. For more information and project ideas, go to: www.vickiehowell.com
