The simplicity of this is brilliant. When I happened across sandpaper t-shirt designs I had to give them a go. We had all the equipment we needed already, so this was a super cheap activity. Even if you don’t, the supplies can be picked up fairly easily for a few quid.
This is something kids of all ages can get involved with. So get the whole family together and do some craft.
For this, you will need:
- Wax crayons
- A t-shirt
- Sandpaper. The finer the grade, the more detailed the image.
- Scrap card
- An iron
Firstly, cut your sandpaper to fit the area you’d like to cover on your t-shirt. Then you can get cracking drawing your design onto the front of the sand paper. Draw any design you like. Just make sure the design is quite thick with crayon. It will get lost if there is not enough design to transfer. Also remember that the design will be reversed once it has been transferred.
When you’re happy with your sandpaper t-shirt designs, place it face down where you’d like it on your t-shirt. Put a scrap piece of card inside the t-shirt to prevent the design bleeding through onto the back. With the iron on its hottest setting (without steam), press own firmly on the back of the sandpaper. Lift a corner carefully to see if the design has transferred. Continue to iron until the design has been transferred. Remove the sandpaper. Place some paper towel over the design and lightly run the iron over the design to remove any excess crayon.
Finally put your t-shirt in the tumble dryer for 20 mins to set your design.
Our Sandpaper T-Shirt Designs…
Both my 6 and 3 year old had a go at this. We found a few larger sheets of medium sandpaper, and a smaller roll of fine finishing sandpaper in the shed. As they both wanted large designs, they used the more coarse sandpaper. You can see the results below. They have come out fairly well, but I think their designs could have done with more crayon. There just wasn’t enough to transfer. The coarser sandpaper just doesn’t hold onto the crayon as well as the finer paper.
The darker t-shirt also worked against us. But that is all we had. Perhaps with fine sandpaper it would have been better. Either way, they are both very proud of their designs. And that is what is important.
I did a sleep suit for my smallest, and am very pleased with it. As that designs were far smaller, I could get away with the finer paper.
I love that this craft is suitable for everyone. It doesn’t matter what the design is. I’ll bet your little people will be proud of what they create, and wear it with pride. If you’d rather not do t-shirts, how about a cotton shopping bag, or tea towel?
Have a go! Let me know how you get on. I’d love to see your designs.
Happy Crafting!
Beading Brilliant 