Ideas needed for t-shirt painting

[Boco]

Its my dd1s 5th birthday next week, and decided to do something crafty for her party. I found pink t-shirts for 75p each, and have bought 15.

I have some fabric paint already, went out today and bought 3 packs of the squeezy fabric paint in glittery, neon and metallic.

I've now realised they're not going to be compatible, as the squeezy stuff you can't iron, and the paint you have to iron to set, and it's getting complicated. [muddled frown]

Can anyone think of anything else i can do to t-shirts - 15 little girls and 15 small tubes of fabric paint - is there anything that can be stuck on? Or am i getting out of my depth?

I have a feeling i may be languishing in the unanswered threads with this corker.

could you not let some of the kids use the non-iron stuff for their t-shirt and the others use the fabric iron paint? They might not be quite as good but they'll still have fun making them.

You can buy strips of self sticking material from Hobbycraft that fit perfectly around the neck and sleeves of a t-shirt. Its washable once its on too. I'd stick to the tubes only too!

The fabric painting pens are very easy to use, and are non-messy. You iron them as you do the paint - could you buy a pack of those, as well? I think Baker Ross have them fairly cheaply.

Hmm yes i could divide them up into ironing and non-ironing groups.

The self sticking material sounds brilliant - thats the kind of thing i'm after - but no hobby craft within a 50 mile radius - any idea if there's any online place that sells it? I don't really know what to search for - none at baker ross that i can see.

I have used the tubes of paint before, when I have done craft parties. As long as the kids don't squeeze loads of paint onto the t-shirt, it shold be dry within a couple of hours and then they are ready for ironing, inside out. Remember to put a piece of cardboard in between too, so the colours don't seep through!

Can you get them to do their basic design using the iron on stuff, then once that's set, add embellishments with the glittery 3-d stuff. you could split the different stages up for before and after the food, and maybe do all the ironing bit when they're occupied at the table?

I did t-shirts a while ago with my DS and DNs. I bought acetate and made basic car stencils which they were able to use themselves, then helped them using the pens to do door handles, headlights etc.

It was great fun and well worth doing and loads of people commented on the t-shirts.

Must dig it all out again and have another go. It'll be something to do over a rainy half term holiday!

Daisy that sounds brilliant - will you be my party organiser? I can't pay you, but there will be cake?

Boco, I know I've got some of that material somewhere, but unfortunately, we are in the middle of a extension re-fit and I am living in a tip, so there is no way I can find it! I'll be in Hobbycraft within the next few days, so I'll have a look at it and see if its got a website for you.

...happy to help....

....actually been thinking of a new career so I can devote more time to my DS (5) and imminent new arrival....maybe this could be my new calling.

Have fun with it....and get lots of plastic sheeting on the floor and furniture, LOL!

Oh thanks Maureen, that's really helpful.

Daisy i heard that the woman from smarteenies - the one who paints on the glass? - she's set up doing craft parties now - sounds really good, if there was someone in my area doing that sort of thing i think it'd go down really well.

Round here there are some awful chuckle brother types that do strangely inappropriate and vaguely smutty magic tricks for £150 a party, and that's it. I reckon you should look into it!

I do craft parties around my area actually. I'm miles from you though Boco! Its not a bad little earner! Girls of about 6, 7 or 8 are the best audience! Although I've done 13 year old girls too. Daisy, I checked out how much people like McD's, soft play, and bowling were asking for parties and then worked my prices around them. I charge £7 per child and use Baker Ross and Yellow Moon for materals.

That must be really good fun - what a nice job! The grim soft play centre charge £8 per head for an hour and a half of play and a plate of chips, so you sound great value.

this has given me food for thought....

Have a fun party Boco

Daisy - I started by doing my own dd's birthday party and sending out business cards in the party bags. Give us a shout if you need ideas!

Missed that one...cheers Maureen!