Make It Your Own: Updating a T-Shirt with Stencils

Stencil Refashion by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Hello there! Today I want to share a really fun & quick project to personalise or update your t-shirts! This is really easy to do and the perfect project if you feel like a creative project but don’t have a lot of time on your hands. It only took me a couple of minutes plus the time it needs to dry. I love those little projects that you can squeeze in after work.

The lovely folks over at Stencil Revolution offered to send some stencils for me to try. What I love about their company is that it’s a small, family-owned operation that developed out of what originally was a street art forum. I love supporting upcoming creative businesses and I really had a great experience with them. They offer a large variety of designs and sizes (for decorating walls etc), I stuck to smaller sizes as they seemed a better fit for decorating shirts, fabrics and tote bags.

These stencils are not very expensive but are very long lasting. It’s a hard plastic sheet that you can wipe and wash and reuse many times. I had specific project ideas in mind when ordering the three larger stencils. But I picked the arrow stencils knowing this would be a motif I will probably use over and over again! Obviously, you can use these for walls, furniture, bags etc., too. I just love a t-shirt refashion and I buy plain white & black t-shirts every once in a while for exactly these kind of projects.

Stencil Refashion by Thisblogisnotforyou.comStencil Refashion by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

So, how does it work?

First of all, here’s what you need:

– stencil templates 
– fabric paint (I used black and light blue/turquoise)
– small dry sponge
– old plate or plastic container to pour the paint in
– masking tape
– a piece of cardboard (big enough to place under the area you are using colour on)
– iron & iron board

Stencil Refashion by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

  1. Prepare the shirt/fabric and template.
    If necessary, you might want to iron the shirt to make sure there are no creases. Clean the template if you used it before, to make sure it’s dry and there no residue colour. Use some masking tape to tape the template into place. It’s very important that it doesn’t move once you start with the colour.
    If using this on a shirt, place a piece of cardboard between both fabric layers. Otherwise, the colour might come through and leave stains on the back. A hard, smooth surface also makes it easier to get a neat result.
  2. Pour fabric paint onto your dish and dab your dry sponge in it. Dab it a couple times more onto the plate to have some of the paint come off. Using too much paint might need to colour bleeding. If you want to get crisp edges, make sure you use less paint and apply it in several layers.
  3. Dab the paint onto the fabric. Try not to use stroking motions as this might lead to blotches and colour bleeding as it gets under the template. This will also give the paint more of a sprayed “graffiti” look.
    If you want an ombre effect as I did with my project, start with the lighter colour. I used the light blue for the first layer, let it dry a bit and then dabbed over it with black again. For the colours to blend softly you really want to use as little paint on the sponge as possible. Work in layers until you get the opacity that you like.
  4. Let it dry. I usually remove the template afterwards. If you remove it while the paint is still wet it might smudge and blur.
  5. Once it’s dry remove the template and iron your fabric from the wrong side to set the colour.
    That’s it, you’re done!

Stencil Refashion by Thisblogisnotforyou.comStencil Refashion by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

I’m planning more projects with these stencils. They would also make a great project to do with kids. That Bill Murray will go on a tote bag for sure!

I’m looking for some nice gold or rose gold textile paint. Do you have any recommendations?

xx

Charlie

Please note: As always, all opinions are my own. All my product reviews are completely honest. I was gifted this product, but not asked to review it or given compensation for doing it.

Happy crafting!

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Refashion it! Golden Vintage Dress to Embellished Crop Top

vintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Hallöchen, ihr Lieben!

Hope you’re having a great week so far! I’m starting to get a bit stressed by the wedding preparations, especially with things involving the dress. A blog post was long overdue, though, so I’m trying to squeeze this one in between all the fittings and muslins and whatnot.

This is a really quick refashion project I wanted to share with you. It’s a loose-fitting embellished crop top I made from a dress that the Mr’s grandma gave me a little while ago. (scroll further down for before pics!).

vintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comIt was basically a rectangular, light-weight long dress that looked suspiciously handmade, but had some sort of label in it, so I’m not too sure about that fact. The dress itself had no shape whatsoever, the hem going way below knee-length. At first I thought it might be edgy and cool but when I put it on it simply looked horrible and I felt like wearing a potato sack.

As it so often happens, I forgot to take proper before pictures (which is really stupid when planning an before & after project, I know!), so this is all I have:vintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comThe dress was too narrow to give me enough fabric for cutting out a whole new garment, so I decided to take the easy way out and cut the bottom off. Chop, chop!
vintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comI overlocked the raw seam and hemmed it by hand using matching gold thread.vintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

The fit was ok-ish, but the top still lacked something. Since it’s a really simple shape, I thought I might add some embellishments to add some bling and make it a bit less boring.

I played around with different embellishments I had at home, like studs and acrylic diamonds.
vintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comvintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comvintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I liked the studs best and started placing them on the neckline. Once I liked what I saw, I attached them using my pliers. I added more and more until I was happy with the end result.vintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comvintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comvintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comvintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comvintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comvintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Since the crop top is very wide, I love wearing it with my pencil skirts. Since they have a high waist, my belly won’t show which makes this look pretty work appropriate. Also, I can wear a tank top underneath during the cold season which is neat.

Personally, I love the tight skirt – loose top combination which is quite flattering as it makes your waist appear smaller than it is!

vintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.comvintage dress to crop top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

It’s amazing how such small changes can make a big difference to a garment. Take an hour and an unloved garment and turn it into something you love wearing. Instant happiness!

I would love to hear about your experiences with transforming your old or vintage clothes!

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!

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DIY Star Wars: The Force Awakens Christmas Sweater!

DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comDIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comHappy Holidays everyone!

A quick word about the sweater I used for this project. It’s, what a surprise, handmade! This is the reason why I got the Agnes pattern in the first place! I wanted to have a simple shirt pattern that could easily be turned into a sweater.

I added about 2cm to the sleeve and bodice pattern pieces and also squared down the bodice for a looser fit. The close fit of the original pattern would’ve been unsuitable for the lettering. I always find it somewhat weird to have bold lettering right across the bust if the shirt’s a tad too tight. I used a slightly heavier jersey knit fabric in taupe which I bought in a little sewing café in Germany last winter.DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comDIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comDIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.com

PERSONALISE A SHIRT USING IRON-ON FOIL

This is a super easy way to personalise or embellish any kind of garment. If you have templates for letters or shapes, it’s even easier. (It took me a while to draw all those letters and get them in perfect shape).

All you need is a shirt and some iron-on foil that you can order online.
DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Some tips:

– Use a shirt with a smooth surface (jersey or cotton works best)
– You need to be able to iron your garment on a very hot temperature setting (I wouldn’t recommend using silk or polyester!)
– Read the instructions that comes with the iron-on foil carefully
– Keep in mind that all shapes and letters have to be mirrored!

I ordered silver and matt black foil online which came in different sizes. The A4 size had the best cost-benefit ratio and also I wasn’t sure how much I needed. In the end, I used less than half of a sheet of each colour. I have plenty left for other projects.

For this project I was inspired by this jcrew kids tshirt which unfortunately doesn’t come in adult size!

source: jcrew.com
source: jcrew.com

DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comStart of by sketching out the shape or letters you want to create. Alternatively, you can use Word or Photoshop to create a layout you can print off and cut out.DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comI used the sketch to check if the size was right and to mark the position on the shirt.DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comBecause I couldn’t find a good font and sketched my own, I copied them onto squared paper to make sure they were even and all the exact same size. I positioned them on the shirt and used chalk for markings.DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comWhen transferring the template onto the foil, make sure everything is mirrored. Draw the shape onto the matt side of the foil, you can use pen or pencil. If you don’t want to mirror your letters, you can try to draw them onto the “right” side, but since it has a protective film it might be a bit tricky and the ink of your pen might come off and ruin your iron.DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comCut out the letters, place the onto your shirt and press the iron onto them one by one to prevent them from slipping out of positon. Don’t remove the protective film until all the letters are firmly applied and have cooled off. DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comDIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comYou can now remove the plastic film and use the extra sheet of protective paper that comes with the foil to set the glue a second time. Never iron without the paper after that otherwise the foils sticks to your iron and the whole this is ruined. You can wash the shirt at 60° and iron it from the wrong side if necessary. DIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comDIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comDIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comDIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.comDIY Star Wars Tshirt by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Will I make it again? Yessss! I love this shirt, especially because it’s not so obviously Star Wars themed as many of the Christmas sweaters you can buy online. It’s actually quite glamourous and someone not familiar with the Star Wars franchise might not even notice. The foil was super easy to use and I love the result. You can use it to transform an old shirt or jumper or to personalise presents.

Merry Christmas and may the force be with you in the New Year!

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!

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Refashion it! A leather mini skirt

Mini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.comMini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Hallo meine Lieben! I haven’t blogged a refashion project in a while, so this was long overdue! (If I remember correctly, my initial plan was to blog a refashion once a week. This worked out beautifully, right? Haha.)

When I lost my sewing mojo a couple of weeks ago, refashioning a couple of skirts I bought ages ago really helped to get back behind the sewing machine. These fun little projects don’t take much time, just a little creativity and therefore don’t seem as overwhelming as making a complete garment. So, if you haven’t made anything in a while, I really recommend popping to your next charity shop and getting creative with whatever you find there!

Skirts are the easiest thing to fit and recycle I have found. Just changing the length can have a big impact and improve the whole look. Mini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.comHere’s a view before photos: Mini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.comMini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I’m not sure about the whole midi leather skirt look, at least this one wasn’t working for me! The skirt is vintage, from an old lady that was friends with my mum. My mum gave it too me because she didn’t know what to do with it. It also had a broken zip:Mini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I was really lucky that the skirt fit me perfectly around the waist and hips, so I didn’t have to make too many alterations. I simply shortened the hem and lining, eliminating the kick pleat and a good 30 cm of length.Mini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.comMini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.comMini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I’m in love with the seam lines on the skirt and how they run parallel to the pockets. Yes, it has got pockets!Mini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.comMini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.comMini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.comMini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I never had a leather garment before (except for an 80’s jacket!) and I’m surprised how comfortable it is to wear! I thought it might be really hard to walk and sit in, but it’s as comfy as any other skirt would be.

Oh, and what became of the broken zip? The zip was still working fine, just the pull tab had broken off. I couldn’t be bother to replace the whole thing, so I just added a little silver ring with a scissors charm instead. I love the little sewing-related detail – and it works perfectly. I might use this trick on other zips in the future!
Mini Leather Skirt Refashion by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I recently refashioned two other (more office-style) skirts which I love and wear constantly. Hopefully I get around to taking some photos soon!

Have you recently refashioned something?


Happy sewing!

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Refashion it! The Porcelain Dress

‘But I don’t want to go among mad people,’
‘Oh, you can’t help that, we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.’

The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.comI’m all ready for the tea party, just couldn’t find the rabbit-hole yet. In the meantime I had many cups of pretend-tea while my sister was snapping pictures of me and my newly refashioned porcelain dress.The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.comThe Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I refashioned this dress the night before I flew back home over the Easter holidays so I had something to wear for our big Easter sunday family brunch (because there was nothing in my closet. Seriously.)

The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.comThe Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Here’s a before pic of the dress. I bought it at TRAID, my favourite charity thrift store, for just a few pounds.

The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.comIt was a size 20 Dorothy Perkins dress I absolutely fell in love with because of the fabric. Although it’s polyester is has a very soft and silky feel to it and the print is just fabulous. I don’t know if you guys know onion pattern porcelain, this is basically what I grew up with.

source: www.private-prague-guide.com
source: www.private-prague-guide.com

It’s the sort of china my grandparents had (and still use) and if I remember correctly my parents also have similar china at home. I just love the pattern and this fabric reminded me so much of it (and happy lunches at my grandparent’s place).

The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.comI threw the dress on my dressform, inside out. Pinning the lining out of the way I took in the sides of the dress, which actually took a bit longer than it sounds. Pinning, trying it on, repeat. Until I was satisfied with the fit. The tricky bit was the fact that there is just a very short zip in the back. I couldn’t take it in too much at the waist as it still had to fit over my shoulders and bust.The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.comThe Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

After pinning comes the fun part: chop, chop!The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I used the chopped-off bits of the blue fabric as a template for trimming the lining. I finished the raw edges of both fabric and lining side seams and then created two darts in the back add more shape.

The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

 

 

I also created to tucked pleats in the front, which I just quickly sewed down with a few hand stitches. The fabric was very delicate and I didn’t want to accidentally ruin the whole dress with machine sewing them down.The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.comThe Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.comThe Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

The dress now fits very nicely, but I still prefer to wear it with a little blue belt. It breaks it up nicely and cinches it in a bit more at the waist.The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

(The pictures where taken in my parent’s beautiful garden. Ahh – I miss it so much now that the only green bits I see here in London on a daily basis are from the hedge in front of our flat, yes, the one you’re all familar with!)The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com

My Dad caught me knitting on a sunny 25°C Easter sunday. Well, I couldn’t fit my sewing machine into my suitcase. Ryanair, meh. Here’s a sneak peek of the tiny cardigan I was knitting for my mom-to-be sister-in-law.Knitted Baby Cardigan by thisblogisnotforyou.comAs a soon-to-be-auntie I will have loads of excuses to sew tiny clothes and practise pretend-tea drinking. Ha!The Porcelain Dress by thisblogisnotforyou.com


Happy sewing!

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