Characters signing shirts and pillow cases....WWYD?

[Disney1fan2002]

I am going to make some t-shirts for my boys to have the characters sign instead of an autgraph book. My DD wants a pilow case.

I was thinking maybe I should get one of those embroidery frames? Set the shirts up in that for each character, and then I wouldn't have to worry about a clunky piece of carboard, that may slip while they are singing, ect.

What do you think?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't have a better idea, but the only two minor problems I see with your (pretty darn good) idea are that the embroidery hoops will stretch the t-shirt fabric unless you're making them out of a non-knit material; and if you see several characters at once, you may not have time to move the hoops to a clear area.

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

That's a good idea.

 

[Terk-1]

I had the same idea and picked up a couple of plain white t-shirts at Michael's today on sale (it ended up being $5 for 2 adult shirts). I looked at the plastic hoops too and thought the larger one would be better, so that if I had a couple of characters that were together, such as Lilo & Stich, there would be enough room for both of them to sign. This way, as I'm waiting in line for a characters signature, I can move the hoop to where it would be a good place to sign and with a bigger hoop, won't have to move it as much. I did not think that this would stretch the shirt though. I thought about bringing a clip board, but not sure how that would work. How else can you do this?

As this upcoming trip will be a solo one, the challenge will be to see how many characters I can get signatures from. I bought 2 shirts, as I had a feeling I may run out of room on just one.

Speaking of shirts... Would you wash the shirt before you have the characters sign it or afterwards? What would be the best marker to use on this?

 

[SueM in MN]

I haven't done T shirt or pillowcase autographs, but have done some fabric painting (in the far past).
I would suggest washing the items first - that will remove sizing in the item that might make the ink not stick. Also, DO use fabric markers,like these from Michael's Crafts or these from Joann Fabric.
The fabric markerrs often don't need to be heat, but some other kinds of markers do. I received a baby quilt that various people made blocks for. Some used permanent markers, but didn't wash the cloth first and didn't heat set it. Some of those ran when they got wet.

Something I thought of, but never tried was to put contact paper on the inside of the thing I wanted to decorate. That way, when it's written on, the ink won't spread thru to the other side of the shirt or pillowcase. It also would give a little stiffness to the fabric. I don't know if it would work and you would probably still need something stiff under it, but it might work.

 

[Fire14]

I have done this ever since my first trip to WDW on my honeymoon. In my case I buy the pooh and friends t shirt with charcters in last 2 numbers of year, like this years is 05. I have all the pooh and friends crew sign my shirt. I use an embory hoop I bought for 1.00. It is plastic. I use fabric markers or a sharpie but that will fade over time.

 

[PatsGirl]

A few years back I dropped off a pillowcase and four different colored permanent markers at Guest Services for the day. When we got back, it had been signed by lots of characters. I wonder if they still do this? I hadn't really thought about it since then but now I'm thinking we could do another one. Anyone have luck with this recently?

 

[pooh2001]

We did it at EPCOT. Kids forgot their autograph books back at the resort. DS picked up a small bongo drum in Mexico and DD picked up a x-large adult (to sleep in) WDW t-shirt (grey in color)

DS has autographs now on his bongo (the white part where you drum). The bongo hangs off the wall in his room.

DD has her t-shirt to wear at slumber parties - good way to start a conversation going.

We used a sharpie marker for the autograpghs

 

[ShannonRT]

Last year I took a t-shirt for DD and had the characters sign it. I bought a very small clipboard that fit in my fanny pack and they used a Sharpie to sign. Worked pretty well. I would have the clipboard behind the part of the shirt I wanted them to sign while standing in line. I got many comments from people standing around about what a good idea it was.

But Chip and Dale refused to use the clipboard. It took me a long time to figure out what they were trying to do without them being able to talk to me. They finally took turns holding the t-shirt and stretching it taut while the other one signed it.

I have read that you can drop off pillow cases, etc on Disney cruises to be signed, but I haven't heard that about the parks. I plan on taking DD's pillowcase when we cruise in December.

 

[lacy1101]

We tried the embroidery hoop on our last trip for my DS's t-shirt. It didn't work very well for us. Even though it pulls the fabric taut, there is still not a hard surface for them to sign on. We ended up stretching the shirt over what else . . . an autograph book (my DD's)!

This year my son is skipping the autographs (he's 13 now). My DD is going to take a cover for a throw pillow. We just went to the fabric store today and bought fabric and fringe for a round throw pillow for her bed (lime green & purple). I'm going to have the pillow cover already made and just leave the form athome. I hope it works!

 

[Carrie772]

What about this?
1. Pre-wash.
2. Baste fabric to poster board.
3. Use a permanent marker.

Or, wear the shirt and have the CH. write on their backs and then wear it backwards when one side fills up.

I think I will try the basting thing myself just to practice.

My son had all the ch.s sign his ball cap last year. That way, he can enjoy the siggies all the time without having to open some book. He keeps his fave. pins on there too.

 

[lacy1101]

Or, wear the shirt and have the CH. write on their backs and then wear it backwards when one side fills up.

Carrie - I believe I've read that the characters will not sign a shirt if you are wearing it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Carrie - I believe I've read that the characters will not sign a shirt if you are wearing it.

I've read that too.
Even if they did, you might run into a problem with the pens bleeding thru and marking the skin,

 

[ShannonRT]

Or, wear the shirt and have the CH. write on their backs and then wear it backwards when one side fills up.

Disney policy does not permit characters to sign anything that is on a person's body.

 

[Carrie772]

Interesting! I had no idea! I am glad I didn't try it then. Where would one read about ch. greeting etiquette?

 

[ShannonRT]

Interesting! I had no idea! I am glad I didn't try it then. Where would one read about ch. greeting etiquette?

These boards, of course!

 

[Stitches12]

I have a machine that puts embroidery on shirts or just about anything. My suggestion to you is to go to Joanne Fabrics and buy either CUT AWAY or TEAR AWAY STABILIZER. Just ask them for the stabilizer that embroidery machines use. You can buy it in sheets. You will also need a can of spray adhesive (dont' confuse this with any other kind of adhesive or you'll be in trouble). Spray the stabilizer and stick it to the back of your fabric (after washing it, the fabric that is ). Depending on the type you get, it may stiffen it enough for them to write on it but the important thing is it will make it so you can then put the shirt in the embroidery hoop and the fabric WILL NOT stretch or move. Very important. Also, your fabric pens will not "bleed" through the fabric.

Always wash your shirt before putting this on and after you get home simply "peel" the stabilizer off the back of the fabric. Be sure you specify that you want the stabilizer removable when you ask for it at Joanne Fabrics (or any other craft shop). You might have a local embroiderer that would sell you a small piece or even put it on for you.

Hope this helps --
Jackie

 

[bjakmom]

Someone here on the DIS mentioned using a liquid embroidery hoop (the underneath side is solid metal and the outside ring fits over it, giving a solid surface to write on). I couldn't find one anywhere, so I made my own, using one of the plastic embroidery hoops and cutting out a circle of foam board to fit the inner ring - then I 'gorilla glued' (yep, with gorilla glue ) the foam board into the ring. I just put the ring where I wanted the autograph, pulled the material tight and used a fabric marker. So many of the characters commented on how easy it was to use - Luke Skywalker made a big deal out of it - wanting to see how we made the hard surface to write on - I got the impression that they don't like trying to write on fabric!

 

[Terk-1]

Thank you for your information. I like the cardboard on the hoop idea. I will remember to wash the shirts before I have them signed. Should I bleach the shirts or just use regular detergent? Also, I did not know that Crayola made fabric markers. Crayola is a good brand and I like the fact that there are several colors. Has anyone used these and what did you think? Did they wash well?