DIY Polka Dot Shirt

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I love Kate Spade's flawless mix of bold sophistication with playfulness. The first edition of the Style Soiree! - Link Party Summer Series inspired me to create a Kate Spade influenced blouse. Today I am linking up at Our Fifth House, Pinterest Told Me To, Rain on a Tin Roof, Southern State of Mind, and Effortless Style to showcase my very simple DIY gold polka dot shirt.

For this DIY project you will need: cotton shirt, gold fabric paint, paintbrush, cardboard that can fit inside of the shirt, disappearing ink marking pen, and a round template for the polka dots (I used a tealight candle).

Start off by deciding on the pattern that you want to create. I kept with a very simple pattern since the gold and coral colors were bold to begin with. You can have some fun with your pattern. Maybe more dots at the top, and less at the bottom or vice versa. Whatever you choose, run with it!

I used tea light candles to draw out my polka dots. The great part about the disappearing ink is that if you mess up on one of your dot patterns you can start over in a different spot.

The fabric does move so make sure that you stretch it out with your fingers as you draw around your template.

Once your pattern is drawn, and you are ready to paint, place a piece of cardboard inside of the shirt. This will disable the paint from seeping into the back layer of the shirt, and keeping the two layers from sticking together.



Also, start painting from left to right if you are right-handed, or paint from right to left if you are left-handed. I also recommend that you start at the top of the shirt and work your way down.

Like you did when you were tracing your template, you can also use your fingers to spread the fabric out when you paint so that you get a nice, clean line.

And, voilà! Now you have gold polka dots, and your lines have disappeared. Wait atleast 48 hours before you wash your shirt to ensure the paint is completely dry and settled. 

I am excited to wear this shirt into the summer months.

Do you have any tricks for painting with fabric?