“How does the shirt hold up after washing?” · Valerie @
Author The author hadn't run it through a wash cycle yet, but would hand wash it separately and hand dry it to keep the colors.
The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · January 2014
Ages3–8 yrs
Prep10 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Kids color a heart hard onto fine sandpaper with crayons. An adult then irons it face-down onto a plain t-shirt to transfer the design. It makes a sweet wearable Valentine or a gift for grandparents.
⚠️ Safety first
- Adult does all the ironing. The iron, the sandpaper and the melted crayon get hot, so keep kids' hands away until everything has cooled.
- Keep a paper towel between the iron and the sandpaper so crayon wax doesn't touch the iron.
- Use fine sandpaper only, as the author says. Coarse sandpaper is rough on little hands.
- Supervise young children with crayons and keep the iron cord out of reach.
Before the kids arrive
- Wash and iron each t-shirt.
- Optional: cut a heart outline or template to trace so the heart comes out neat.
Steps
On the fine sandpaper, draw a heart (or 2) or any outline you like.
Color it in with crayons, pressing down hard.
Slide a piece of cardboard inside the t-shirt to prevent creases.
Flip the sandpaper over and place it crayon-side down on the t-shirt.
Adult: lay a paper towel on top and iron over it.
Adult: take a quick peek to see if the crayon has transferred. Keep ironing until you are happy with it.
Let it cool, then lift off the sandpaper to show the heart on the shirt.
Tips
- The crayons do get worn down when you color on sandpaper, but the coloring process seems so therapeutic!from the author
- I totally winged this one. It will turn out much better if you center the heart, use an outline, and wash and iron the t-shirt first.from the author
- Coloring the heart was a collaborative effort. Kids and adults can color it together.from the author
- Plain tees are available at the dollar store.from the author
- To keep the colors, I'd hand wash it separately and hand dry it.from the author
- Readers loved how simple and mess-free it is as a way to print on a t-shirt.from readers
Make it your own
- Make it a Valentine's gift: kids can make presents for grandparents with a nice big "We love Grandma".
- Use any outline you like instead of hearts.
- Make matching shirts for siblings.
Questions readers asked
How does it hold up after washing?
The author hadn't run it through a wash cycle yet. She suggests hand washing it separately and hand drying it to keep the colors.
What readers say
💬 6 comments ✍️ 2 answered by the author
Answered by the author
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Hand wash to keep the colors
Asked how the shirt holds up in the wash, the author hadn't washed it yet but suggested hand washing separately and hand drying.
“I think I'd hand wash it separately and hand dry to keep the colors.”
🎉 Worked for us
Simple, mess-free shirt printing
A reader loved that this is a simple, mess-free way to print a design on a t-shirt.
“what a simple and mess free way to print on the T SHirt”
✨ Readers' twist
Makes a cool gift
The author notes the finished heart shirts make cool gifts, such as Valentine's presents kids can make for grandparents.
“They do make cool gifts.”
Read all 6 comments
Gina · Feb 2014
What fun you're having! This looks like so much fun!
TurkeyMomAuthor · Feb 2014 · replying to Gina
Thanks Gina :) They do make cool gifts.
Valerie @ · Feb 2014
Awesome! How does it keep after washing?
TurkeyMomAuthor · Feb 2014 · replying to Valerie @
I haven't run it through a cycle yet. But I think I'd hand wash it separately and hand dry to keep the colors.
Veens · Jan 2014
Just LOVE it... what a simple and mess free way to print on the T SHirt :)