fabric painting at children's birthday party

[AtheneNoctua]

DD will be 6 in March. We are having a party at home which will include some kind of painting. I had though t-shirts, but DD gave the idea a big fat both thumbs down. She said bags was okay, which I have found at kidzcraft. But now I am wondering about pillow cases. So what I need to know from the great wisdom that is Mumsnet is, what kind of pillowcases do I buy to do this (assuming I get at least one thumb up from DD)? If I just go to John Lewis and buy white 100% cotton pillow cases will this work? Or is there something special about the t-shirts and bags that are sold specifically for painting.

Also, does anyone know where I could get a variety of stencils? There will be girls and boys at the party so am hoping to get a variety of girly and boyish things. Princesses, flowers, sharks, knights, that sort of thing.

I know its not what you are asking but why dont you try painting of plates/mugs/ little ornaments/moneyboxes etc etc...

Because every time I have ever tried the do it at home variety of cup/plate/anything ceramic paiting it bloody washes off in the dishwasher.

At least the sirt painting tends to stay on the shirt.

However, why do you suggest those. Have I missed something (entirely possible)?

I dont think they are dishwasher safe. Not 100%sure though.

Only that I recently went to a party with my DD doing this, however it was at a workshop, so they fire them inthe kiln and all that so that they dont wash off i think.

T-shirts are a lovely idea, kids will love them, so everyone will remember your party.

a good tip is to put a print out (or drawing) inside the pillow case and the children can then trace the picture onto the fabric.

sharpie black permanent pens are good as they're permanent puffa paints are nice too, you blow them with a hairdryer to get them all puffy

Dd1 is having small blank canvases at her party for the girls to design/decoarte/paint.

WE bought them in cheap bookshop.

I think pillow cases would be fine. WE made drawstring bags out of heavy cotton for preschoolers to make their own PE bags and that was fine.Just check what the paints/pens say on them.

Oh that's a fantastic idea to put a pic behind it. It didn't even occure to me that a pillow case might be see through. You are fab.

And where does on find these puffy paints?

t-shirts would be my pic but DD said no and it's her party. So I guess it's only fair to let her pick what we paint. She actually wanted an entertainer. But, I told her that entertainers were credit crunched out of the picture this year.

lots here maybe hobbycraft has them too

we used these bags to decorate, lots of fabric pens on that site too

Thank you! I like those bags. And other stuff looks nice too.

There's a website - The Clever Baggers - and they do all sorts of things like this

I've used clever baggers site for cotton bags, and have done baseball hats and t-shirts as well. Bags are good because the fabric doesn't 'give' like t-shirt fabric.

I prefer crayons to paints.

Can anyone help me with stencils? I was thinking of haveing a vareity of flowers, animals, fairies, princess theme, etc. stencils for them to use... or maybe a sports them? A few of them take tennis. Actually, I'd settle for any theme I can find. Oh, and it is all girls now so a girly theme is okay.

What about pencil cases or back packs. I think www.crafts4parties.co.uk do a wide range of pencils case, shirts, and bags for fabric painting.

I too am looking for stencils or just some printed sheets of shapes that I can transfer to card to make stencils for a design your own bag party (6-7 year old boys & girls).

Can anyone direct me to where I can buy these stencils or I'd happily pay if someone can e-mail me some suitable shape outlines.

Please, anyone ?

Anyone able to point me in the direction of stencils please ????

Maybe I should start another thread.