Glittering Cotton

Two days prior to field day, my oldest daughter tells me she needs to make a field day shirt.
Me:  "Sounds like fun to me, what are you going to create?"
Daughter: "Oh, I'm not going to make it, you are."
Me: "Huh?"
Daughter: "Yea Mom, I have no idea how to do these things, it has to look good."
Me: "Let's go to the craft store and get some ideas"

Typical in our home, you tell me you NEED a craft done, I'm your Mom!!  I've never penalized my kids for coming to me last minute with a craft request.  I normally work best under pressure, so naturally I enjoy these kinds of tasks.  My first trip to the craft store cost about $80 in supplies.  Yes, I said $80!  Am I nuts??  I bought pens, glitter, paint, ribbon, felt, iron on letters, dye, beads, you name it I bought it, this shirt was going to rock!  Then once I collected my mind a bit, I got to thinking and I took back nearly everything except for the shirt, glitter and ribbon.  I actually bought an additional item: Alene's Fabric Fusion and used my 40% off coupon.

Total cost was still more than I would have liked to spend, about $30, but much better than my initial tour at the store.  I had to keep in mind that I now had supplies of these items for other projects and that made it a little easier on my budget conscience.  I am the budget minded one in our home, but when it comes to crafts...I can really blow it quick!

I decided to make a stencil of the letters my daughter wanted on her shirt and use the Fabric Fusion along with the glitter to create what would have been Iron on letters.  I bought micro-fine glitter thinking that the glue would encapsulate it and the glitter would stick to the shirt after wearing and washing.  Keep in mind I came up with this in the aisle, so I didn't know if it was going to work.  Is it possible that I've actually come up with a method all my own and on the fly??  I also cut slits in the sides of the shirt and laddered them, then added ribbons to the bottom of the shirt.  At my daughters request, we also put a shooting star on the back.  Admittedly not the best shooter, but I tried.

Stenciled and glittered

Stencil removed...not so bad!

On display

The shooter

Laddered down the sides with ribbons attached

My Fabric Fusion idea worked out pretty well.  I learned a few things.  I definitely need to use more glue than I did for the glitter next time for wash and wear.  The majority of the glitter did stay on the shirt and it's been washed numerous times, but I want it to stay "newer" looking longer.  I realized that this particular idea did not actually come from Pinterest...I know right, shocker, but I do believe that looking at so many ideas this past year and a half has inspired me to get creative all on my own.

Yup, that's Pinteresting!