Monday, April 4, 2011

Freezer Paper + Bleach = Awesome!




While scrolling around a favorite craft blog of mine, I am Momma Hear Me Roar, I found an old post about using freezer paper as a stencil.  I loved the idea of making a shirt for Owen, plus I could use my Silhouette to cut out the stencil.  So, I checked out her tutorial and gathered my supplies.  It didn't take long because I just needed a shirt and freezer paper. I already had an iron and bleach. The project is so cute and simple, but it involves bleach--- so I also needed my "play clothes" --- Bleach and I don't have a very good relationship. 

I cut out a chocolate bunny to make a masculine Easter shirt for Owen.  Plus, I found a cute little bike to put on a blue shirt.  The bunny was first, since it was a much easier and larger stencil to work with.  I ironed it on the shirt, lined the shirt with a piece of freezer paper to keep the front and back of the shirt from touching, and ventured outside to begin the bleaching. 


Her tutorial said that she applied the bleach generously and let it sit for 20 minutes. So, that's what I did too! 


But, after 20 minutes, I realized our definitions of generous are very different! 
My chocolate bunny shirt was a failure.  I mean, I can see the bunny, but this is not what it should look like! 


But, hers looked so cute.  I wanted one for Owen! And, I now have 150 square feet of plastic coated freezer paper that shouldn't be wasted.  I repeated the procedures, but this time I lightly misted the shirt with bleach. I only let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it off.  And, I ironed the freezer paper lining to the inside of the shirt

The blue bike shirt was a huge success! 


Owen looks so cute wearing it.


And, he laughed and laughed the entire time he was modeling.  


 I'll definitely be making more bleach stencil shirts in the future. 

5 comments:

  1. OHH!!!!! I wanna bike shirt, in maybe red, brown, or teal. Seriously, I wanna bike shirt, could you pick up a cool shirt for me at Target' and make me a fast Orbea bike shirt, size Med.
    Thanks! You are the best!

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  2. rylee would like to request a zebra shirt in any color please!!!

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  3. Loved this! Ok question, why did you iron the freezer paper to the inside of the shirt? I want to try this!

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  4. OOPS!!! Reread the post and answered my own question.

    OBTW, Your baby is CUTE!!! I could actually hear him laughing, you are so blessed.

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  5. Nice work. I've been making these for about 3 years now. I am an art teacher & my kids BEG to do Bleach Art. Here are a few pointers to add to your already successful work:
    1.Don't overspray...it soaks under your stencil.
    2.New, unwashed 100% cotton shirts work best.
    3.Have several spray bottles with different nozzels & bleach/water mixes for more color values.
    4.Mask off with newspaper to avoid misting & bleaching out unwanted spots.

    Nice work.

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