Print PDF
Favorite
Email
In this instructable I will show you a technique I haven't seen done before.
We are going to selectively sun-bleach a design on a shirt.
The advantages of using this method over others are mostly not adding another material to our shirt (e.g. a layer of paint) which will then change the feel of the fabric, and not messing around with chemicals which a. cost us money, and b. are harmful to us and the environment.
This method is safe, it's easy, it's cheap (absolutely free if you have a black t-shirt and a knife) and reasonably accurate - although this last one is mainly up to you.
The main disadvantage to this method is that you can really one "print" in one color, and it's just a brighter version of the color you now have. I had a black shirt, and the print came out mid-grey. I'm thinking that you can probably dye your shirt a different color after you bleach it, but I have yet to try.
Interested? Follow along...
We are going to selectively sun-bleach a design on a shirt.
The advantages of using this method over others are mostly not adding another material to our shirt (e.g. a layer of paint) which will then change the feel of the fabric, and not messing around with chemicals which a. cost us money, and b. are harmful to us and the environment.
This method is safe, it's easy, it's cheap (absolutely free if you have a black t-shirt and a knife) and reasonably accurate - although this last one is mainly up to you.
The main disadvantage to this method is that you can really one "print" in one color, and it's just a brighter version of the color you now have. I had a black shirt, and the print came out mid-grey. I'm thinking that you can probably dye your shirt a different color after you bleach it, but I have yet to try.
Interested? Follow along...
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1What will you need?
Not a lot really.
First you're going to need cardboard. I used the corrugated kind (not sure of the name - it's a three layer affair with the middle one wavy), but you can use any kind. For the backing I'd suggest a stronger kind for support, but the front can probably be a heavy duty paper as well.
You're going to need two pieces that will at least cover the shirt completely.
A good knife. I used the knife shown in the pictures, but a good exact-o knife or scalpel will work as well.
Double sided tape.
Some form of clear sheet - you will see why you need it if your design has "islands".
And that's it. Oh...
A shirt. Darker colors work best, and I'm not sure - but I think you need it to be cotton.
I also used some miscellaneous items to fasten the two pieces of cardboard together, and some staples to hold the shirt in place... Just use whatever you can find.
First you're going to need cardboard. I used the corrugated kind (not sure of the name - it's a three layer affair with the middle one wavy), but you can use any kind. For the backing I'd suggest a stronger kind for support, but the front can probably be a heavy duty paper as well.
You're going to need two pieces that will at least cover the shirt completely.
A good knife. I used the knife shown in the pictures, but a good exact-o knife or scalpel will work as well.
Double sided tape.
Some form of clear sheet - you will see why you need it if your design has "islands".
And that's it. Oh...
A shirt. Darker colors work best, and I'm not sure - but I think you need it to be cotton.
I also used some miscellaneous items to fasten the two pieces of cardboard together, and some staples to hold the shirt in place... Just use whatever you can find.
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
How long did it stay in the sun?
Oh, and about the power of the sun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0_nuvPKIi8
I lived in a rented apartment, and my bed was right against the window. the seal between the screen part of the window was not so good and bugs kept crawling from underneath the window.
Long story short, the shirt is stuffed in there was forgotten for about a year of rain/sun/wind etc., but because it was a northern window with little or no direct sunlight, it got bleached (pretty awesomely) in a tie-die-ish effect...
Gonna try it?
I suppose that you'd do as well to pop the thing in a sun-bed / tanning booth?
L