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I don’t like to think of these crafting posts as tutorials, because I am sure to leave something out and I am definitely NOT an expert. I like to think of them as guides, inspiration to get your own creative juices flowing. Most of my projects are with thrift store finds/stuff I already have around the house. So take a look around you with fresh eyes, hit that garage sale or favorite thrift store and make some magic of your own! Because when you make it yourself, you get to enjoy the bragging rights.
There’s really nothing more fun than getting together with girlfriends for coffee and pastries. But make the occasion even more festive with a fun, easy activity that everyone can do and have a cute t-shirt to take home and enjoy.
If you are ready to host your own crafting and coffee gathering, check out my favorite sour cream coffee cake recipe (if you don’t have sour cream on hand, try one of these easy substitutes). If you are new in town, trying to make new friends or if your group is a mix of future and old friends, try a quality conversation starters game.
Supplies Needed to Host Crafting and Coffee with Your Girlfriends Made Easy and Fun: DIY T-Shirts
- have each guest bring a plain t-shirt
- Blessed, Grateful, Thankful stencil
- painter’s tape
- Gel Ink in Well I Declare
- ChalkArt Spreader
- a few large pieces of cardboard slide into t-shirt to protect the back
- clean cotton pressing cloth
- iron
Tips for Hosting Crafting and Coffee with Your Girlfriends Made Easy and Fun: DIY T-Shirts
A brand new A Maker’s Studio stencil is very adhesive and may tear bits of itself off and stick to your project, so if using a brand new stencil on paper, place the stencil on a piece of cloth or other surface and remove a couple of times to lessen the adhesion.
If you worry that you will spread the Gel Ink past the stencil and on to your surface, use a piece or two of painter’s tape on the edge of the stencil to avoid extraneous ink on your piece.
Spreaders can be cut to a more manageable size with a pair of scissors for more detailed or smaller work. When done with the spreader, simply wash ink or paint off and reuse.
When hosting a crafting party, either with kids or adults, preparation is your friend! Cut stencils apart. Portion Gel Ink into small individual containers, get your cleanup station ready, cover your work surface, etc. Consider a dry run on your so you can see where any bumps occur and plan for them.
Dry stencils quickly with a hairdryer to facilitate the activity.
Clean the reusable stencil with water and a lint-free sponge and let dry adhesive side up. When the stencil is dry place protective backing on the adhesive side of stencil and store.
When using A Maker’s Studio Stencils, they are not cut out completely, the stencil is a mesh that requires pushing the ink or paint through, not just laying the ink on top. Make sure to press the ink!
Remember that Gel Ink is semi-permanent, you will need to send your guests home with instructions to heat set the ink and encourage them to wash the shirts inside out in cool water and line dry to ensure the longest life for their beautiful custom shirt.
Host Crafting and Coffee with Your Girlfriends Made Easy and Fun: DIY T-Shirts 101
- Protect your work surface and your clothing.
- Prep all the materials for the party.
- Position the stencils on the t-shirt, and press firmly to adhere, using painter’s tape on the edges if desired.
- Spread Gel Ink carefully onto stencil being sure to press through.
- Let Gel Ink dry.
- Wash and dry stencils to be used for the next guest.
- Send each guest home with a heat setting instruction card (click here to download).
- Send each guest home with best care instructions to keep their t-shirts looking amazing longer (click here to download).
- Let your guests enjoy the bragging rights to the fantastic creations they just made!!
