How to Make a Paint Smock

Adult t-shirts can make perfect paint smocks for kids. You can use an old or worn t-shirt as long as it doesn’t have so many holes in it that the paint would go right through. A short sleeved t-shirt is sufficient to cover most kids (especially if they roll up their sleeves before painting), but you may want to use a long-sleeve t-shirt for older kids or for extra sleeve protection. Either way, you’ll want to cut open the back of the t-shirt, so that it doesn’t have to be pulled over the head (especially once it’s covered with wet paint).

Things You'll Need

• large t-shirt
• scissors
• sew-on hook and loop tape
• straight pins
• thread
• sewing machine
• fabric paint (optional)

Instructions

1. Choose an old t-shirt that’s large enough to cover most of the child’s clothing. If you’re using a long sleeved t-shirt, cut off the ends of the sleeves if needed so that they’re an appropriate length for the child.

2. Cut a slit all the way down the middle of the back of the t-shirt.

3. Cut a strip of sew-on hook and loop tape (commonly known by the brand name Velcro) as long as the back of the t-shirt. Or, to save on hook and loop tape, cut several strips each a few inches long.

4. Place the hook side of the tape along the outside edge of one of the cut sides of the t-shirt. Pin it in place, then stitch around the edges of the hook tape. (You may want to use a zigzag stitch if your sewing machine has one.)

5. Place the loop tape along the inside edge on the opposite cut side of the t-shirt, making sure to line up the loop strip or strips with the hook sides. Pin the loop tape to the t-shirt, then stitch it in place.

6. Decorate the paint smock (optional) using fabric paint. You may want to draw pictures on it or write the child’s name, or let the kids decorate it themselves. Let the fabric paint dry.

7. Instruct the child to slip his arms through the sleeves, then overlap the back edges of the paint smock to stick them together.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don’t have access to a sewing machine, you can use hook and loop tape that comes with an adhesive backing. It may not stay on the paint smock as well as sew-on hook and loop tape, but it’s easy to stick in place.

• Do not attempt to pin or sew hook and loop tape that has an adhesive backing, since it will ruin the pins or sewing needle.

• Use caution when working with scissors and sewing machines.