How to Decorate a Crafty Sweat Shirt

You can take a boring, plain sweatshirt and turn it into a piece of highly customized and wearable art. Sweatshirts are warm but often they aren't that attractive, but that is easily changed with a little inspiration and the right supplies. The more complex the design you use to decorate your crafty sweatshirt, the more dressed up it will appear. You can even do this craft with children, who will be proud to wear a sweatshirt they helped to design.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric pencil
• Stencil
• Fabric paint
• Rhinestones
• Studs
• Mirrors

Instructions

1. Draw your design onto the sweatshirt with a fabric pencil. Fabric pencils are available where sewing notions are sold and they do not leave permanent marks on the shirt.

2. Use fabric paint to trace the design you drew on the shirt. You can use flat paint, metallic paint or paint that puffs up as it dries.

3. Place rhinestones, small mirrors or flat-backed metal studs directly onto the paint before it dries. The paint acts as a glue, holding these embellishments in place. You can use them to outline the neckline or you can intersperse them throughout your design.

4. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours. You may wish to place a clean cardboard box over top of it as it dries so dust doesn't settle on the shirt and dull the paint.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a stencil to trace the design on if you do not wish to draw it freehand.

• Do not dry clean painted clothing and be sure to turn it inside out to wash.

References

• Information on painting on fabrics