Since I have joined Lauren’s Silhouette Challenge Group, I knew I needed to “challenge” myself to experiment with the different mediums that Silhouette America provides. One medium that I’ve been wanting to try is their Fabric Ink. I’m not sure why I waited so long to try it, but since Silhouette had a sale on all of their accessories last month, it was a good time to buy. As you’ll see, I definitely challenged myself!
In hindsight, I should have bought the stencil vinyl. For one shirt I used a piece of Oracal vinyl that I had on hand and for the other shirt I used ConTac paper. Neither of these were good options, in my opinion. I’ve never seen or worked with Silhouette’s stencil vinyl, but since it’s clear and comes with transfer tape, I’m thinking it would be easier to work with than wall vinyl or ConTac paper in this application. You’ll see why as you read through this experiment.
Dan and I are planning and training for an epic bike ride. We are going to pedal our bicycles from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October. I call it “The Ride of My Life”. I wanted to make tee shirts that we can wear on the trip that say “The Ride of My Life”.
I spent some time last night on my Silhouette software and came up with a few designs.
For the first shirt, I cut the design out of ConTac paper and used that as my stencil. I applied the stencil to the shirt and then painted in the design using a small sponge.
You can see in the photo above that the ConTac paper is wrinkled. I probably could have avoided that if I had applied it with transfer tape. Duh moment!
Here is the first shirt finished:
What do I think? Well, I won’t quit my day job and become a t-shirt designer! I think it’s “not bad” for my first attempt. I learned some things, though:
- use the products that the manufacturer recommends! I’ll be ordering some of that stencil vinyl!
- Also, a bigger sponge would have been helpful
- don’t be too heavy-handed with the ink! A little of that stuff goes a long way
- be more careful not to get ink on the shirt where it doesn’t belong!
For the second shirt, I used an old, stained tank top and I used wall vinyl to make my stencil.
I’ll definitely be trying this again….but after I get the clear, stencil vinyl from the Silhouette store! Come back in a few weeks to see if I’ve improved my “designer”-T-shirt making skills!
Since I wasn’t happy with how the first two shirts turned out, I had to try again. (good thing I have a lot of old shirts to practice on ) In Silhouette, I lined up the words exactly how I want them to look on my shirt and inserted a rectangle around the design.
I cut the design out of vinyl again, but this time I removed the letters and left the “stencil” on the backing paper of the vinyl.
Then, instead of being lazy trying to cut corners, I used transfer tape to pick up the stencil and placed it on the shirt. What a difference.
Since this is a relatively small design, I used a sponge brush to dab on the fabric ink. I started out using Tan, but I could quickly see that it wouldn’t be dark enough on the pink shirt. So I just went over it again with the Cyan ink.
All that was left to do was wait for the ink to completely dry and then iron it.
I am so much happier with how this one turned out. What do you think? I still have to learn not to get ink everywhere!
Practice makes perfect better!
If you would like to see more Silhouette ideas, here’s a collections of projects by my Silhouette Challenge Buddies:
DIY Paper Star Lanterns by Me & My DIY
A Jar of Gratefulness by We ♥ Cards
Adding Easy Sketch Pen Detail to Silhouette Cuts by It Happens in a Blink
Laundry Room Labels by Unoriginal Mom
Kids Step Stool with Sass by Joy & Gladness of Heart
Magnetic Perpetual Calendar by Everydaypaper
Silhouette Fabric Ink {An Experiment} by Create & Babble
Playhouse Signs: Who Will We Be Today? by Suburble
How to Get a Second Wind Out of Your Gel Manicure by The Thinking Closet
DIY Graduation Gift by Super Sweet Life
A Silhouette Challenge by Home at Eight
Oval Coffee Table Reveal & More! by Give Me a Paintbrush
Stamped Gift Boxes by Coley’s Corner
Monsters University T-Shirt by Tried & True
Travel Accessories for Vacation Mementos & Business by An Elegant Touch
A Silhouette Challenge Project by Mel Stampz
Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? We’d love to have you! Simply contact Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email.
The Ride of My Life sounds awesome, Jeanie! And WAY out of my league. My hubby and some of his co-workers are training for a century ride (100 miles). As someone who enjoys leisure biking but has never done a race before (and who is out of shape currently), that really overwhelms me. But I decided to do a little bit of the training with Mark and see how far I can get. Even if it’s just 20 or 30 miles, that’ll be more than I’ve ever done before! Ha ha. Any tips on training for a newbie rider?
And now, to the REAL exciting stuff: your creations! First of all, mad props to you for trying a brand new medium! I haven’t yet dabbled in the land of Silhouette fabric paint, but when I do, I am definitely referring to your tutorial tips. It’s good to know about the importance of using the stencil vinyl…though I have to say, I think your three attempts were great! I actually really like the first one…it almost looks vintage. And the placement of your design on the third is so cute! Do you think you’ll wear any of these during the ride? You should!
Thanks for joining us again for another Silhouette Challenge post! You inspire me to try new things!
Thank you for your sweet comments Lauren!
A century??? Now that’s out of my league! As far as tips, just keep pedaling! I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve found that by gradually increasing the number of miles I ride has really helped. Also getting a professional bike fitting is key for the comfort factor….although I’m still looking for the perfect saddle if there is such a thing! Lucky for you that Florida is such a bike-friendly state….there seem to be so many bike lanes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bike lane in PA (which is why we stick to riding rail trails)
I do plan on making more shirts for our ride. These were test runs to get a feel for working with the fabric inks. I want to try layering the colors so we’ll see!
Ou! Fabric paint. That looks so fun, Jeanie. Love your t-shirt designs & the epic bike ride sounds incredible!
The pink shirt is my fav!
You did a fab job with this project! I like that you keep it real and show how you got from point A to the finished project.
It will be ahile before I try this one so I definitely have to book mark your blog so I can come back for the details when I am ready!
Great job!!
Bev @ Give me a paintbrush
Hi Jeanie! I love your t-shirts. Good for you trying the Silhouette ink! I haven’t bought or tried any yet, but I have made a few t-shirts with my Silhouette. I found that the screen inks that you can buy at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby work really well with the vinyl stencils. You can also try cutting freezer paper with the Silhouette and ironing it onto your t-shirt instead of vinyl. That works REALLY well with the screen ink because the color doesn’t leak underneath. I wonder if it would work with the Silhouette ink? As they say, there’s more than one way to skin a cat, right? 😉 I love your t-shirt designs. I think the one with the huge bike on it is my favorite. Congrats and good luck on your upcoming ride!
Debbie
So fun I think your t shirts are great. I think I need some fabric paint
Thanks Mel! It’s probably not my favorite medium, but it is fun!
I think you did a great job! I don’t know if I’m ready to graduate to fabric ink yet. Thanks for challenging yourself and inspiring the rest of us.
Thanks Valerie! I’m going to keep practicing on old shirts until I get the look I want, whatever that is!
I love the “ride of your life” theme. I hope your training is going well. I rode a bike for 5 miles the other day and though of you! I was tired at 5 miles (and it was a stationary bike!) Lol!
Every time I see your work I really want a Silhouette. Maybe one day. I was impressed with your first shirt and they kept getting better. Love your work!
Nice to ‘meet’ you here in the Group! Thank You for being honest about your Trials and Tribultions – it’s good to know that others struggle with ‘getting it right’ – ;-}
Lynden
http://aneleganttouch-lynden.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/Lynden.AnElegantTouch
https://www.facebook.com/Lynden.CookieLeeJewelry
Thank you Lynden! I believe in “keeping it real”
I loved this blog. I have been visiting this blog for vacation ideas. It also inspired me to create my own channel.