Bride and Groom Shirts

[taylorstimac]

I'm wanting to get some bride and groom shirts for my hubby to be and I to wear to our rehearsal dinner.

I want a white tank with black letter that says "bride"
For him, a black tee with white letters that say "groom."

I know I've seen these before on the internet but they were kinda pricey and rehearsal is next weekend. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make these yourself? What about the iron on transfer paper? Does it look good? Also, how can you make your lettering "backwards" so that it'll iron on the right was. I designed some templates in MS Excel.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!!

 

[christineangel]

Usually there is somewhere on the print setup where you select paper and there will be on option for iron transfer that will reverse the letters. But iron transfers can be tricky if you don't do them just right- it is easy to scorch the shirts or the ink won't stay on just right....
You might also try stencils and paint (you can find them at in the craft section at wal mart or at michael's) I think making them yourself is a great idea; good luck with it!

 

[taylorstimac]

Thanks christineangel!

I was kinda scared of it scorching too! I made some stencils the other day and they look like they will work good, but I've never stenciled before. Any tips on a good way to do that? I don't want them to look cheesy!

 

[christineangel]

Do some tests on paper before doing the shirts for practice and so you will know exactly what it will look like. Good luck!

 

[cryssi]

I like the dark shirt iron on transfers you can get at Office Depot. You don't have to print in reverse, and you just cut out your design, peel, place, and press.


or you can try these sites:

http://www.inkjetcartridge.com/ttrpafordaco.html

http://www.paper-paper.com/transfer.html#dark

 

[taylorstimac]

HMMM....that looks neat, but wouldn't you have to worry about burning that too?

I like the paint idea, I'm just afraid it would look sloppy (like the paint would all blob together or something)

Has anyone ever stenciled a t-shirt before?

How did you prevent blobbing?

 

[cryssi]

I haven't had any trouble with burning. They give good instructions like use a dry iron on medium setting or something like that, and keep the iron in motion. You actually want to make sure you apply constant, even pressure.

I haven't stenciled or painted any shirts recently. I would imagine that your stencil should be a sticker, so you don't run the risk of paint getting underneath the stencil and messing up your design. If you wanted to tape off your own pattern and paint that way, that might be ok. I also wouldn't apply the fabric paint directly to the garment, and also make sure that you place a paper bag or paper inside the shirt between the front and back.

Puff paints might work too, as you would just have to make the outline, and then you can pull the paint from the outline to fill it in with a brush.

I hope this makes sense! Good luck...

c

 

[taylorstimac]

My only problem I think is that I want to put white letters on a black shirt. Can I do that with a transfer?

Do you have any examples of things you've done iron on transfers on?

 

[christineangel]

Yes you can. However the transfer paper for white and dark shirts is different and they have different instructions so if you go that route make sure you read the directions for both!

 

[cryssi]

I don't have any examples, but it turns out really well! The dark shirt transfer paper (you MUST buy transfers for dark shirts) is opaque white, as opposed to regular iron on transfer paper which is clear. I just cut out the design or individual letters, peel, place, and press. It looks very professional. The most trouble you might have is peeling the letters/designs until you get the hang of it...

I would make sure to press the design for the ENTIRE length of time it says to, or else it won't fuse properly, and you will have to go back and re-press...a real pain if you ask me.

good luck!

 

[taylorstimac]

I went ahead and did the stencil thing last night. They turned out super!!

The black groom shirt was a little hard to do as the white paint didn't seem to want to cover it very well, so it's a little blobby. But nothing I can't fix!!

The bride shirt is great!!

Thanks for all of the tips!!! I'm gladd I went the diy route!