How to Paint a Jumpsuit

A handpainted jumpsuit for a baby makes a great gift for any new mother.

Jumpsuits are a very fashionable clothing item. They are worn by not only babies, but girls and women of all ages. To update a plain jumpsuit, you can simply add some paint. A little paint will make a jumpsuit look artsy and updated, so get your forgotten jumpsuit out of your closet or purchase a new one and make a work of art. You'll never have to worry about walking into a room wearing the same jumpsuit as another lady, because you will have created something that reflects your taste and personality.

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Paper plates
• Old newspaper

Instructions

1. Wash the jumpsuit. If you are using a new jumpsuit it is best to wash it before you add paint. Put the jumpsuit through a hot wash cycle and then the hottest drying cycle. This will ensure that the jumpsuit has shrunk as much as it can and it will not shrink further once the paint is added.

2. Choose the paints you want to use. For painting fabric, the best choices are acrylics or textile paints, among others. If you are just starting out, textile paints are the best choice. When selecting colors, keep in mind what color jumpsuit you have and how the paints will look when added.

3. Squirt a small amount of each color into disposable bowls or plates and get all your brushes or other tools out. Since the project has the potential to get messy, be sure to have the area covered in newspaper where you will be working.

4. Spray the fabric with water. The fabric should be damp so the paint will adhere properly. Apply paint to fabric. Apply a nice even coat so the fabric color does not show through. Do not use globs of paint; just a thin layer is fine. You can paint with brushes or sponges, or simply splatter the paint on the fabric like a Jackson Pollock painting -- have fun with the painting process. The only thing that matters is that you will like your new jumpsuit. If you are painting both the front and back of your jumpsuit, be sure to make sure the paint is dry on the front before flipping. Read the back of the paint label to find out how long the paint should take to dry completely.

5. Hang your jumpsuit on a shower rod or clothes line to dry. Look at the paint label to know how long the drying process should take. If no time is given, wait 24 hours to be on the safe side. If you have used textile paints, you will need to heat-set the paint once it is completely dry. Simply use an iron that is set to the hottest fabric setting and go over the painted area. Once your jumpsuit is ready, enjoy wearing your new piece of art.

Tips & Warnings

• Your painted garment should be hand washed unless the fabric paint states otherwise.

References

• How to Paint Fabric-Learning Sewing
• Beginning Basics
• Fabric Painting Instructions