Make a Frankenstein Tshirt

As seen in Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores

This spooky Frankenstein Tshirt was designed by Melony Bradley using a simple dip-dye technique. You can find more of Melony's crafty creations on her blog, Mel Designs. Go take a peek.

OK, on to the tutorial...

FRANKENSTEIN T-SHIRT

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Rit® Liquid or Powder Dyes: Apple Green, Purple

• White cotton Jerzees® fitted T-shirt

• Kunin Rainbow Classicfelt™ Squares: black, orange, violet

• Darice® Wiggle Eyes: 20mm & 10mm (1 pair each)

• Offray Grosgrain Ribbon, side saddle 5/8” orange with yellow stitches

• Measuring cup

• 3 shallow 8-cup plastic containers  

• Spoon for stirring dye

• 1 ½” foam brush

• Plastic sheet, rubber gloves

• Parchment paper or craft paper

• E-6000 glue

• Scissors & ruler

• Paper towels & plastic wrap

• Microwave oven

• Washer & dryer

• Iron

DIRECTIONS:Cover table with plastic. Prewash & dry the T-shirt. Do not use fabric softener.

1.   Heat 6 3/4cups water in the microwave to at least 140º F.  Wearing gloves, measure 1/2 cup Apple Green liquid dye, pour into 8-cup container with 4 cups hot water; stir well.  Wet shirt in warm water and immerse in dye solution for 5minutes.  Move shirt around in dye and push down to help dye penetrate shirt.  Remove shirt, squeeze out excess dye and place in plastic container.

2.  Wearing rubber gloves, mix 1/2 cup Purple liquid dye or 1 box powder dye with 2 cups very hot water.  Pour water and dye into 8-cup plastic container; stir well.  Immerse top third of shirt in purple dye bath for 5minutes.  Move top of shirt up and down to create a dip-dyed effect. Remove shirt, squeeze out excess dye and lay flat on plastic-covered surface. Place parchment or craft paper inside of shirt.

3.  Mix ¼ cup of Apple Green dye with ¾ cup of very hot water; stir well.  Dip foam brush into dye solution and randomly paint large spots of dye on front of shirt.  Carefully fold shirt to fit in shallow container, keeping purple area separated from green area with a piece of plastic wrap.  Place in plastic container and cover with plastic wrap. Line bottom of microwave with paper towels.  Place container in microwave and set on High for 2 minutes.  Remove bowl and plastic wrap. Allow to cool.  Rinse shirt under cool water until water runs clear.  Wash with warm water and detergent; rinse and dry.  Iron shirt.

4.  Cut felt & ribbon pieces for face.

      Eyes – Cut two 2 ½” circles from black felt

      Nose – Cut one 1” x 2 ½” strip from orchid felt

      Mouth – Cut one 4” x 1” strip from black felt

      Teeth – Cut three ¾” x 1 ¼” strips from black felt

      Eyebrows – Cut two 5/8” x 2” pieces from orange grosgrain ribbon

      Head Bolts – Cut two 2”squares from black felt

      Scar – Cut one ½” x 2 ½” strip and three ¼” x 1” - 1 ½” strips from black felt          

      Spider Body – Cut one 2 ½” circle from orange felt

      Spider Legs – Cut eight ¼” x 1” - 1 ½” strips from black felt  

5.  Glue felt pieces to shirt as shown in photograph.  Note: When gluing mouth and scar  pieces to shirt, glue long strips down first and then smaller pieces on top. For spider, glue  legs to shirt first, arranging as shown, then followed by orange circle. 

6.  Glue larger wiggle eyes to eye sockets and smaller eyes to spider, as shown.  Let dry.