How to Make a Gift for an Outdoorsy Boyfriend

A wildlife crossing sign can be used as the image for a personalized outdoorsy shirt.

Creating an outdoorsy gift, such as a personalized outdoor-themed shirt, is a great way to show support for your boyfriend's interests. You can design your own saying or graphic to put on the shirt, or use one of your boyfriend's favorite outdoor related graphics such as a hiking, boating, or wildlife sign. Personalizing a shirt is a fast and easy way to create a one of a kind gift.

Things You'll Need

• Foam core board
• Pencil
• Craft knife
• Cardboard
• Craft glue
• Small foam roller
• Roller pan
• Fabric paint
• Blank shirt
• Clean pizza box or similar shaped cardboard box

Instructions

1. Find or create an outdoorsy image or phrase that would be meaningful to your boyfriend. Online hiking or other outdoor activity websites can be used for inspiration. The image will be reversed when creating the stamper for transfer onto the shirt. Take this into consideration when choosing your image. Draw the image or phrase onto the foam core board using the pencil. If you have limited artistic ability, consider tracing an image onto the foam board or keep the design simple. If you have a long phrase, consider using pre-made letter stamps.

2. Cut out the image or phrase using the craft knife. Glue the image or phrase onto the cardboard in reverse so that it will be readable or viewable when transferred onto the shirt. This is the image or phrase stamper.

3. Lay the shirt out flat on a table. Place the clean pizza box or other similar shaped cardboard box inside the shirt. Smooth the shirt so there are no wrinkles in the area where the image or phrase will be placed.

4. Pour fabric paint into the roller pan. Roll the small foam roller into it until the roller is evenly coated with paint.

5. Apply the paint to the foam image or phrase using the roller. Wipe off any excess paint that gets on areas of the stamper foam core board that aren't part of the image.

6. Line up the image or phrase stamper in the desired location over the shirt. Press down the stamper to transfer the image. Remove stamper. Touch up any areas of the image or phrase that did not transfer well with a small paint brush.

7. Allow shirt to dry completely before gift wrapping, wearing or washing.

References

• YouTube: How to make a customized t-shirt at home
• Gifts: Angry Tree T-shirt

Resources

• Backpacking: Make Your Own Gear