Chic galaxy shirts that mimic the appearance of the starry heavens have gotten popular in recent years, but you don't have to pay big bucks to add this trendy fashion item to your wardrobe. Make your own with little more than a black shirt, bleach, and white paint. Here's what you need to do.
Steps
Part One: Creating the Galaxy
1
Lay out a black shirt on a large plastic garbage bag. Line the inside of the shirt with plastic, as well.
Any plastic sheeting or large plastic surface will work. You simply need something that is capable of preventing bleach and paint from dripping onto the floor or bleeding through the shirt.
Placing plastic inside the shirt prevents the bleach from bleeding through and staining the other side.
If possible, use a plain black cotton shirt. Cotton and similarly absorbant materials work best for this project. You must also use a black shirt, rather than a white or color shirt.
2
Mix bleach with water. Combine three parts water with seven parts bleach in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to make sure that the liquids are thoroughly combined.
A travel size spray bottle should be large enough. You do not need much bleach solution for this project.
Avoid using straight, undiluted bleach, as it could eat away at the fabric.
3
Spray the bleach onto the shirt. Randomly yet carefully spray the shirt with your bleach solution.
Make some sprays close together and others further apart. Spraying the bleach near other bleach spots will create the appearance of connected star clusters, while spraying them further apart helps to create the illusion of depth and distance by making it appear as though there are other star clusters in the distance.
The bleach will create a rusty red-orange color on the black shirt.
Do not spray too much of the shirt. You want some black area to remain in order to highlight the galaxy pattern. Otherwise, your shirt may end up looking like a rust-colored laundry accident.
4
Create a galaxy star cluster in the middle of the shirt. Twist the fabric in the middle of the shirt and liberally spray the center of the twist with bleach.
This step is only optional, and you can create a galaxy shirt without creating a central star cluster.
Wait until after you get a decent pattern of bleach on your shirt before making the central star cluster.
5
Dry the bleach spots. You can let the bleach dry naturally or you can speed the process up with a hair dryer.
If drying naturally, place the shirt in a sunny location and let it dry completely.
If you want to speed the process up, dry the shirt by pointing a hair dryer, set to a low setting, at the wet bleach spots.
Drying the shirt can take 30 to 40 minutes.
6
Wash and dry the shirt. Rinse the shirt in lukewarm water and let it air dry.
Washing the shirt stops the bleach from working further into the fabric. As a result, the bleach is less likely to eat away at the material.
Part Two: Adding Stars
1
Splash white fabric paint onto the shirt. Dip a stiff paintbrush into white fabric paint and flick the paint off the brush by pulling back on the bristles and quickly releasing them over the shirt.
Make sure to use fabric paint, since many other type of paint may wear off when washed.
You could also use an old toothbrush instead of a paintbrush.
Similarly, you could flick the paint off the brush by holding the brush in one hand and quickly snapping your wrist in the direction of the shirt. This may give you less control over where the paint dots fall, however.
Try to concentrate the flecks of paint around the bleached star clusters you created. A few stray stars are okay, but the majority should be near the bleached portion of the shirt rather than the empty portion.
You may want to practice first to make sure that you can get the flicking motion right. You will need to create small dots of paint, and if you don't know what you're doing, you may end up creating large blobs, instead.
2
Blur larger specks of paint. If you do get a few larger, thicker dabs of paint on your shirt, remedy the situation by gently blurring these dabs with the palm of your hand.
Simply press down on the blobs with your hand. Do not rub your hand back and forth, since doing so will smear the dots. Merely pressing down on the dots of paint will thin them out, making them stand out less.
3
Purposefully add a few larger dots of paint. If desired, you can create a constellation effect by purposefully dripping a few larger blobs of paint or bleach at various places around the shirt.
This step is only optional. If used, these larger blobs should only be about twice the size as a normal speck.
Do not add too many larger blobs, since these have a tendency to be distracting.
Part Three: Finishing Touches
1
Sponge on a few other colors. A normal palette consists of blue, yellow, and purple, but you can get more creative if desired. Use a sponge brush to lightly dab these colors around the edges of your bleach star clusters and in the midst of your white-speckled stars.
You do not need to add more colors, but the right colors can add further depth and visual interest to your galaxy shirt.
For a more feminine look, you can use shades like magenta, deep purple, and lighter pink.
If you do not have a sponge brush, a plain sponge will also work. Choose a sponge with small holes, however. A dish sponge is too porous.
Use thin acrylic paint for this step. Fabric paint tends to be more opaque, and you need something a little more translucent to create the desired effect.
2
Blur the colors with water. Lighten and smooth the appearance of the paint by dabbing it with a water-soaked sponge or paper towel.
When done, you should still be able to see any painted stars or bleached star clusters beneath the added paint.
Blend until you achieve an effect that appeals to you. Some portions can be darker than others, but these extra colors should only be used to create depth. They should not be the focal point of the shirt.
3
Alternatively, spray the color on instead of sponging it. Use spray fabric paint to lightly spray the edges of the star clusters, creating depth.
This method works best if you ended up bleaching a large portion of your shirt rather than a smaller, confined portion.
You can use multiple colors, but it may work better if you only use one or two similar colors, like purple and blue.
Water-down tie-dye paint will also work if you cannot find spray fabric paint.
You do not need to dilute the paint with water afterward.
4
Dry, rinse, and dry again. After all is said and done, let the shirt dry flat overnight. Rinse it with cold water and let air dry.
Tips
Wear disposable plastic gloves, especially when working with bleach. Bleach can irritate the skin, so it is a good idea to have something protecting your hands as you work. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after using the bleach to prevent yourself from accidentally getting bleach in your eyes or mouth.
You could create an interesting effect by placing a stencil over the shirt and only painting inside of the stencil. Use a large, simple stencil and center it over the front of the shirt.
Things You'll Need
Black shirt
Bleach
Water
Spray bottle
Large plastic bags
Plastic gloves
Hair dryer
White fabric paint
Stiff paintbrush or toothbrush
Acrylic paint in various colors
Sponge brush or sponge
Friday, August 2, 2013
How to Make a Foamshape Book
A Foamsshape book is a book with foam pages. Read this to find out how to make your own cute little Foams Shape book. This version is a five-petal flower.
Steps
1
Decide how any pages you want. You should have a package of the foam shape you need. If you are going to do a seven-page-book, take four pages.
2
Cut out pictures of different flowers into a small circle to fit your foam. Mat your picture in a nice color and glue it down.
3
Take a pencil and write on each petals a fact about the flower in the picture, and basic flower facts on two petals. Outline it with a marker,—preferably a strong black.
4
Repeat for all the other pages, but put down a different picture and special facts on each page. Don't forget to use the backs. Save one front and don't number the pages yet.
5
When you are done cut a hole through one unwritten petal a page. Take an empty keyring and hook it on. This will keep your book together.
6
Now, making sure the empty front page is the first one, design a cover. Some good titles for flowers (you could do any other design) are Book of Blooming or Floral Facts & Fun.
7
Number all the pages except the cover.
Tips
To do a different design use whatever little edges you find instead of petals.
Warnings
DO NOT WASTE FOAM!
Things You'll Need
Emptykeyring
Foam shape sheets
Marker
Paper
Glue
Pencil
Steps
1
Decide how any pages you want. You should have a package of the foam shape you need. If you are going to do a seven-page-book, take four pages.
2
Cut out pictures of different flowers into a small circle to fit your foam. Mat your picture in a nice color and glue it down.
3
Take a pencil and write on each petals a fact about the flower in the picture, and basic flower facts on two petals. Outline it with a marker,—preferably a strong black.
4
Repeat for all the other pages, but put down a different picture and special facts on each page. Don't forget to use the backs. Save one front and don't number the pages yet.
5
When you are done cut a hole through one unwritten petal a page. Take an empty keyring and hook it on. This will keep your book together.
6
Now, making sure the empty front page is the first one, design a cover. Some good titles for flowers (you could do any other design) are Book of Blooming or Floral Facts & Fun.
7
Number all the pages except the cover.
Tips
To do a different design use whatever little edges you find instead of petals.
Warnings
DO NOT WASTE FOAM!
Things You'll Need
Emptykeyring
Foam shape sheets
Marker
Paper
Glue
Pencil
How to Make a Flower Bouquet Out of Buttons
Bouquet is
always welcomed as it is full blooming with fragrant flowers. Here a
tutorial about how to make a flower bouquet is given, while you won't
make real flower bouquets but the button bouquets.Will button bouquets
also look nice? The tutorial of how to make a flower bouquet in the
following gives you the chance to find the answer. Then go down to our
point together.
Steps
- 1Prepare the full materials shown in the picture 1. Take out an iron wire; wrap the two thirds of the iron wire with paper. Pass a button to the iron wire through the button holes; fold one end of the iron wire down a little.
Prepare the full materials shown in the picture 1. - 2Wrap more iron wires with paper and thread a button to each iron wire in the same way. Hold the iron wires near the button below. Add more iron wires as you like. Cut off a piece of paper and wrap the whole bouquet from your holding place to the bottom.
Wrap more iron wires with paper and thread a button to each iron wire in the same way.
- Resin buttons
- Iron wire
- Paper
- Scissors
- Pliers
How to Make a Finger Family
Finger
families can be fun for every one! You can start your finger family at
school when your done with work,at work when your done with work or
maybe at home when your bored. Follow these steps and you'll be the
proud creator of a finger family!
- 1Plan out your family. Figure out which person you want on each finger and which family members you want. For example, with five fingers, you can position them as such: the dad goes on the index finger, mom on the middle finger, big bro or sis on the ring finger and little bro or sis on the pinky. Grandma, grandpa, or a pet can be on the thumb.
- 2Start drawing your happy family on the opposite hand you draw with. Feel free to be colorful! You can add hair, clothes and faces with funny emotions.
- 3Play. When your faces don't smudge, start to play with them.
- 4Clean up. You can wash them off when your done or wait and play with them tomorrow!
- Use non-toxic washable markers.
How to Make a DIY Mega Tic Tac Toe Board
Looking for a fun party game that can be played in the backyard? If you are fan of tic-tac-toe and have a little space you can create an oversized tic-tac-toe board very easily.
Steps
Making Your Tic-Tac-Toe Board
1
Unwrap shower curtain and lay on a flat surface. It may be creased so consider doing this a few days before the party. If you don’t have time to “de-crease” it days ahead of time, lay a sheet over the top and apply a warm iron to the sheet.
2
Create the tic-tac-toe lines with the tape. You will ultimately have nine boxes with the tape. If necessary, find a measuring tape to create even boxes. You will need three boxes across the top, middle and bottom of the curtain.
3
Divide the Frisbees into groups (one color for each group).
Playing the Game
1
Invite two players to participate and ask each player to choose his/her set of Frisbees. Instead of X’s and O’s you’ll have different colored Frisbees (i.e. pink team and blue team).
2
Draw a line that is a few feet away from the tick-tack-toe board where the participants will have to stand behind.
3
Flip a coin to see which player goes first. Or you could draw straws or using any other method of making that decision.
4
Have the first player try to throw the Frisbee to the first square. If the Frisbee is a little outside the square move it into place.
5
Play tic-tac-toe where whichever player gets all three across wins.
Tips
Instead of using a shower curtain, you could use an old white sheet to transform into the board.
Play an adult version of the game where the first person to get the Frisbee in the square chooses another party goer to take a drink.
Things You'll Need
1 shower curtain, plain, large and plastic shower curtain
Blue painter’s tape or thin duct tape
Approximately 10 Frisbees––five in one color and five in a different color (the Frisbees represent your “X’s” and “O’s”.)
Party favors or prizes
Steps
Making Your Tic-Tac-Toe Board
1
Unwrap shower curtain and lay on a flat surface. It may be creased so consider doing this a few days before the party. If you don’t have time to “de-crease” it days ahead of time, lay a sheet over the top and apply a warm iron to the sheet.
2
Create the tic-tac-toe lines with the tape. You will ultimately have nine boxes with the tape. If necessary, find a measuring tape to create even boxes. You will need three boxes across the top, middle and bottom of the curtain.
3
Divide the Frisbees into groups (one color for each group).
Playing the Game
1
Invite two players to participate and ask each player to choose his/her set of Frisbees. Instead of X’s and O’s you’ll have different colored Frisbees (i.e. pink team and blue team).
2
Draw a line that is a few feet away from the tick-tack-toe board where the participants will have to stand behind.
3
Flip a coin to see which player goes first. Or you could draw straws or using any other method of making that decision.
4
Have the first player try to throw the Frisbee to the first square. If the Frisbee is a little outside the square move it into place.
5
Play tic-tac-toe where whichever player gets all three across wins.
Tips
Instead of using a shower curtain, you could use an old white sheet to transform into the board.
Play an adult version of the game where the first person to get the Frisbee in the square chooses another party goer to take a drink.
Things You'll Need
1 shower curtain, plain, large and plastic shower curtain
Blue painter’s tape or thin duct tape
Approximately 10 Frisbees––five in one color and five in a different color (the Frisbees represent your “X’s” and “O’s”.)
Party favors or prizes
How to Make a Crown
Whether
for a party or a play, a crown can complete an outfit and turn you into
king or queen for the day. There are various types of crowns that you
can make, from different materials. A few are suggested here to provide
you with a good choice.
Steps
Printable Template
Basic paper crown
This is a typical "king or queen" style crown. If you make it from metallic color cardboard, it'll even look like a precious metal crown.- 1Purchase suitable poster board or cardboard. Choose either gold or silver colors, unless you're matching the crown to the outfit's color.
- 2Click on the template provided here. Print off to copy. If it needs enlarging, do so using a grid.
- Cut out the template once printed and enlarge as needed.
- The first line indicated on the template shown here is simply for a
shorter crown, perhaps more suitable for a princess or prince crown,
while the longer one is more suited for a king or queen crown.
- Cut out the template once printed and enlarge as needed.
- 3Lay the template down on the wrong side of the cardboard. Trace around it carefully. Then cut out the crown.
- 4Right side facing outward, cut out the crown shape.
- 5Draw the edges of the crown together to form a circle. Allow for a little overlap. To check that the head size is accurate, place on the wearer's head. Use paperclips to keep the exact spot before you secure it.
- 6Secure the crown. Either glue or staple into place.
- If stapling, it's recommended that you place pieces of tape over the
staples to prevent the metal pieces from catching on the hair.
- If stapling, it's recommended that you place pieces of tape over the
staples to prevent the metal pieces from catching on the hair.
- 7Decorate the crown. There are lots of possibilities here but in general, use artificial gems to give it a sense of regal jewels (or even fruit gums or other candies can be used if you don't plan on keeping the crown long). It's also nice to add rows of braid or rickrack, ribbon and such to provide breaks between the gems and create a sense of design on the crown.
- 8Cut a strip of fake fur the same diameter as the crown. Glue around the base of the crown. This will give it a regal finish. Trim anything that may need trimming.
- 9Try the crown on once it has dried.
- It's not usual to add elastic but if it's going to be windy outside, a small round of elastic can be stapled or taped to keep the crown on. If you've fitted it well, this shouldn't really be needed though.
Reinforcing a paper crown
If a crown needs to be used repeatedly, such as for stage work, it pays to strengthen it. This can be done as follows:- 1Make the crown. The paper crown above is a good one to use. However, instead of using just one layer of cardboard, cut out two. Adhere both pieces of cardboard together with glue or double-sided tape, being careful to match up all edges.
- 2Cut out a strip of linen or other strong fabric. The strip needs to be the same diameter as the crown.
- 3Glue or staple the linen to the inner side of the crown. If stapling, you'll need to use the artificial gems or a braid, etc., to cover up the staples on the outside of the crown.
- 4Wear repeatedly. It should last a few good wears before it shows signs of dishevelment.
Floral princess crown
This is a pretty crown made from real flowers. It's best when the flowers are in full bloom and is something to make in the garden.- 1Pick your flowers. Find a bouquet of flowers with bendable stems at least 3 inches (7.5cm) in length (longer is better).
- The flowers chosen can be of only one type of flower, or a variety.
- Examples of suitable flower types include: rose, lavender, daisy, clover, violet, daffodil, flax, and the tulip.
- 2Hold three flowers in your hand. Braid them together. Hold the few flowers in your hands, placing the blossoms next to one another in a row, while keeping the stems together. Then simply braid the stems.
- If you're working with real flowers, be gentle so that you don't break the stems.
- 3Continue adding flowers. Add a flower to the braid before you reach the end of the current stems. Hold it with one of the stems and braid as though the two stems were one. Keep on adding new flowers and extending the chain in this way.
- Alternate flower varieties to enhance color, texture, and beauty.
- 4Check the length. Every once in a while, keep an eye on the length to avoid making it too long or too short.
- If too short, continue adding more flowers.
- If too long, carefully remove some flowers to reach your desired length.
- 5Finish the crown. Complete the floral crown by weaving the end stems into the first flower stems. Tuck in the loose ends into the chain. Make sure it is tight enough to not fall apart.
- 6Crown the princess! It's time for the final step: crowning the lucky girl with your beautiful floral creation. Whether it's for you or another girl, make sure it's worn with delight!
Princess wire floral crown
This is an artificial flower crown that can be worn a number of times.- 1Use sparkling gold or silver wire. This can be purchased from stationery stores or craft stores.
- 2Wrap the wire around the princess's head approximately 3 times. Secure the end by wrapping it around the join of the three strands. Make sure no wire is sticking out that might hurt the wearer.
- The crown should fit snugly but not too tightly on the head. The circle should look smooth.
- The crown should fit snugly but not too tightly on the head. The circle should look smooth.
- 3Wrap artificial flowers around the wire crown. Either use a garland or strip of flowers or weave in individual artificial flowers. Secure with the wire or florist's tape.
- 4Cut curly ribbon. Choose at least four colors. Cut two lengths of each color to 6 feet (1.8 meters).
- Slip knot the curly ribbon at the back of the wire crown, at the center of the ribbon (about 3 feet/91cm in).
- Eight ribbon strands should flow down the back of the crown. Adjust the length if necessary.
- Slip knot the curly ribbon at the back of the wire crown, at the center of the ribbon (about 3 feet/91cm in).
- 5Use the blunt edge of the scissors and curl the ribbon to the end.
- 6Done. The crown is now fit for your little princess to wear.
Napoleon's crown
This leafy crown is a twist on the standard crown with jewels.- 1Find a paper bag large enough to fit over the wearer's head. A grocery bag is ideal and is the standard used for the measurements given here.
- 2Draw an outline of a crown around the entire bag. The top should be drawn as a line of upward facing leaves. The base can be straight or in bumps, as wished. Part of the success of this crown depends on measurements:
- Keep the base of the crown 2 1/2" (6.5cm) above the base of the bag
at the front and gradually reduce it around the sides toward the back.
- Keep the width of the crown at 4 inches (10cm) at the front and reduce to 3 1/2" (8cm) at the sides and back of the bag.
- Keep the base of the crown 2 1/2" (6.5cm) above the base of the bag
at the front and gradually reduce it around the sides toward the back.
- 3Cut out 12 large and 12 small leaf shapes. You can use metallic gold card for this part.
- 4Use double-sided tape to attach the leaves to the crown. Place the leaves diagonally, with their tips facing the front center of the crown.
- Work from the front center, outward.
- Work from the front center, outward.
- Crowns can be made from felt as well. Use the cardboard crown method outlined above and glue felt all the way around the outside, in the shape of the crown. This will both strengthen the crown and gives it more solidity to look at, especially useful for a stage crown.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- Paper
- Ruler and pen/marker
- Fabric
- Decorations
- Printer
- Grid chart
- Paper bag
How to Make a Colorful Heart Pillow
Do you
often do DIY small stuff by yourself? This article has a tutorial of how
to make a heart pillow this time. The approach of how to make a heart
pillow is mainly to piece colorful pieces of fabric together. Before you
start making pillows, you need to select several pieces of fabric that
you like. You'd better make sure all the pieces of fabric you have
selected can be matched well.
Steps
- 1Piece the fabric. Cut off the fabric you have selected. You can leave each fabric to different widths at will; fix the pieces to a whole pattern with pins; sew each combination respectively.
- 2Sew two pieces of heart fabric. Draw a heart shape to a size which you want your pillow to be on the paper; cut off the paper heart. Cut the pieced fabric to a heart shape according to the paper pattern. Make the other pieces of heart fabric in the same; seam the two pieces with obverse sides faced, leaving a small opening.
- 3Stuff the heart. Turn over the heart to the observe side; stuff the quilting inside through the small opening. Sew the small opening after stuffing.
- 4Make a bow with satin ribbon; sew the bow to the middle top of the heart.
- Cotton fabric
- Sewing threads
- Satin ribbon
- Needle
- Quilting
- Scissors
- Paper
- Pen
- Pins
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