Stars & Stripes Graphic Tee

This is a super easy and fun technique! Add some big, graphic stripes to a basic tee -- and throw in a star or two for even more visual splash!

GIVEAWAY UPDATE: thanks to everybody who entered, we have a winner! Robin said "I would have to say Orion also, mainly because it is one of the only ones I can ever find – that and the big dipper." Robin, we'll be in touch via email soon :)

To make this tee, all you need is some fabric paint, masking tape, and a paintbrush. An exacto knife helps too, but be sure to get a grownup to help you, if you haven't used one before.

For this tutorial, I decided to use the Liberty Jane Off-the-Shoulder tee, but you could just as easily do this technique on the free Trendy Tee

Cut out the front of your tee, and prepare to embellish...

I used one long strip of masking tape, and cut it into narrow strips with the exacto knife; then, I stuck several strips together, and traced around a paper star to get the shape I wanted. An exacto knife is super helpful when cutting this out, too.

Carefully peel up the masking tape stencils, and stick them on the shirt. (I put a piece of wax paper under the shirt front, just to help catch any possible paint bleed-through.) Once you have the tape positioned where you want it, rub it down firmly with your fingers to make sure no paint can creep underneath it. 

And... paint! Follow the directions on the package, and let the paint dry. 

Here's my finished shirt front -- at this point, it's a good idea to heat set the paint using an iron and a pressing cloth, or you can just throw the finished shirt in the dryer for half an hour or so. 

Finish sewing the shirt together.

And, give it to your doll! 

Thanks everybody, and have fun with this!

For Pixie Faire,
Melinda


100 Comments

Judi
Judi

June 28, 2015

You are amazing… Thank you so much. The ideas could be endless

Adrienne
Adrienne

March 01, 2015

My favorite constellation is Orion’s Belt.

Julieta Flores
Julieta Flores

March 01, 2015

My favorite constellation is Pegasis.

Hannah
Hannah

March 01, 2015

Ursa Minor is my favorite.

Rhonda
Rhonda

March 01, 2015

I would say the “Milky Way” is my favorite constellation. This t-shirt is a star all by itself. Thanks for a chance and all the other goodies you have for us.

Christine
Christine

March 01, 2015

Orion is my favorite constellation

Emily
Emily

February 28, 2015

My favorite is “the three sisters” I think mostly because I had two sisters (three of us altogether). I would look up at the sky as a kid and think about what adventures they might be having or they might be doing.

Lydia
Lydia

February 28, 2015

Though I love Libra because it is my sign, I choose Sagittarius – The Archer. Such a fantastic constellation, and so mystical.

Kathleen
Kathleen

February 28, 2015

Orion!

Cecelia
Cecelia

February 28, 2015

The Dippers are my favourite constallations.

Susan Y.
Susan Y.

February 28, 2015

Draco, the dragon. :)

Jae
Jae

February 27, 2015

Orion

LouiseMarie
LouiseMarie

February 27, 2015

i wish i could remember some of the other constellations. Since i can’t, i will have to say the Big and Little Dippers are my favorites.

Maria
Maria

February 27, 2015

I enjoy seeing Draco, it’s so long as well as Caseopeia, it’s so easy to spot in the sky.

Martha
Martha

February 27, 2015

Big Dipper. – cute project idea

Donna
Donna

February 27, 2015

I’d have to say that Orion – The Hunter is my favorite constellation since it describes me so well! I’m always on “The Hunt” for the perfect patterns, fabrics and trims for my doll clothes!!

Pam
Pam

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is the little dipper. This shirt is very cute.

Laura T.
Laura T.

February 27, 2015

My favorite is the big and little dipper because I can find them in the sky!

Cindy Dawkins
Cindy Dawkins

February 27, 2015

I love the big and little dippers

Janice Smith
Janice Smith

February 27, 2015

My favorite is the BIG dipper.

Darlene
Darlene

February 27, 2015

Pliedes or also known as The Seven Sisters

Carol
Carol

February 27, 2015

Orien

Donna
Donna

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellatoion is the big and small dipper.

Sonja W
Sonja W

February 27, 2015

scorpio.

Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Pegasus!

Monica
Monica

February 27, 2015

JESUS :)

Joyce O.
Joyce O.

February 27, 2015

My favorite would be the Big Dipper because that’s one I can always find!

Margaret Kiener
Margaret Kiener

February 27, 2015

Aquarius

Mikkel
Mikkel

February 27, 2015

Mine is the big dipper because it reminds me of a couple years back that was the only one I’ve ever actually saw!

Frances Rautenbach
Frances Rautenbach

February 27, 2015

Orion for sure and always – mostly because it is a constellation I knew and loved growing up in the southern hemisphere, and it migrates to the northern hemisphere as I did, when I was 11, so is part of my childhood that did not stay behind, as just a memory, as so many of the southern constellations did (I do love forever the constellation of the Southern Cross, which I have not seen since I was ten). Orion remains a personal constellation that visits me, rising from the southern hemisphere into the northern skies, and setting again back down to my southern hemisphere roots and memories and childhood friends. Orion forever!

Crystal
Crystal

February 27, 2015

I like the Big Dipper; as it reminds me of my youth. We would always look for it on summer nights!

Beaj
Beaj

February 27, 2015

Cute , cute , cute and great idea.
My favorite is the Big Dipper.

Denise
Denise

February 27, 2015

I like the names in French 《la petite ourse》 and 《la grande ourse》(probably the big and little dippers).

Bella
Bella

February 27, 2015

Sorry about that.

Bella
Bella

February 27, 2015

Mine would be pegasus.

Bella
Bella

February 27, 2015

Mine would be pegasus.

Isabella Hajjar
Isabella Hajjar

February 27, 2015

Mine would be pegasus.

Anne C-E
Anne C-E

February 27, 2015

My favorites are Scorpio and Sagittaius. They are not visable in this hemisphere this time of year.

Jane W
Jane W

February 27, 2015

I have always loved both the dippers. Reminds me of my early childhood stargazing with my dad.

Susan
Susan

February 27, 2015

my favorite is the BIG DIPPER * * * * * * *
Donna
Donna

February 27, 2015

Mine is Scorpio!

Bea
Bea

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Orion- the Hunter. I’m always on the hunt for new patterns, new fibers and techniques! Cute shirt!!!

Heidi W
Heidi W

February 27, 2015

I like finding Scorpio!

Rachel Koppleberger
Rachel Koppleberger

February 27, 2015

My favorites are the ones I can find -Orion, Cassiopeia, and I assume the big dipper (I can find one, but normally not both).

Suzan
Suzan

February 27, 2015

I love seeing the North Star and pointing out the Big Dipper to my children.

Sher
Sher

February 27, 2015

Mine would be Gemini. I would love to make this cute shirt. Add it to my list of projects. My granddaughters would love it!

JJ
JJ

February 27, 2015

I love stargazing and it is too hard to name a favorite since the sky changes every night! One special constellation that is visible now is Canis Major, the Big Dog, who follows Orion. Sirius, the brightest star, is in the Big Dog, to the lower left of Orion’s belt.

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

February 27, 2015

Definitely Leo because thats my favourite persons sign – my husband X

tence
tence

February 27, 2015

i like Libra because i like to keep things in balance and also it is my sign

Barb
Barb

February 27, 2015

Love the shirt! Great idea. My favorite is the Big Dipper.

Jane
Jane

February 27, 2015

My favorite is Orion

Heather
Heather

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Orion. It’s one of the few that I can recognize. I know that it comes from Greek mythology but for some reason it always makes me think of David and Goliath, one of my favorite stories in the Bible.

Amanda Graham
Amanda Graham

February 27, 2015

I like Leo because he reminds me of a horse running free and Gemini because it reminds me of how close twins and triplets will always be.

Sandra
Sandra

February 27, 2015

I have always loved Draco.

Robin Raymor
Robin Raymor

February 27, 2015

I would have to say Orion also, mainly because it is one of the only ones I can ever find – that and the big dipper.l CUTE T-shirt – would be so much fun to make with my great-nieces.

debbie
debbie

February 27, 2015

It is so terribly hard to pick one. Actually impossible to. I love them all. Just to relax and look at them on a warm summers night is the best.

s hicks
s hicks

February 27, 2015

Gemini because that’s my sign—Just mere lines in the sky, but protected by Taurus on one side. The story behind them is fascinating-2 different fathers yet twins. A star shirt would be perfect—I would have 2 make 3 more to make all the AG match.

Veronica
Veronica

February 27, 2015

My favorite is Orion and look very often for Orion’s belt. I can’t remember a time except when I was very young that I have not been looking for this in the sky. I feel all is well with me when I find it.

Barbara
Barbara

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Orion The Hunter. This is a beautiful shirt.

Crimson
Crimson

February 27, 2015

Pegasus for sure!

Susan
Susan

February 27, 2015

The Big Dipper because I can always pick it out and that leads me to other constellations.

Marge R (mer)
Marge R (mer)

February 27, 2015

The Big Dipper! I’d like to make this t-shirt in white, with red stripes and blue stars for the Fourth of July — my doll would LOVE it!

Karen
Karen

February 27, 2015

My favorite are the Dippers – Big and Little!

Bert
Bert

February 27, 2015

The “Dippers” of course, easy to find and has the North Star!

Cathy
Cathy

February 27, 2015

I like them all but for some reason I really love pegasus

Sue
Sue

February 27, 2015

My favourite constellation is Leo as that’s my zodiac sign.

Patti L
Patti L

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Orion…brightest winter constellation!

Bonnie
Bonnie

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Aries, because it’ smell.

Sue
Sue

February 27, 2015

I work with preschoolers and I have them invent their own constellations with stars and black paper, then draw it out with chalk. What fun to see what they create.

Nina
Nina

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Leo.

Beverly
Beverly

February 27, 2015

I took Astronomy in college on a campus with a planetarium classroom. It was in the winter so I can still recognize some constellations that show clearly at that time of year . The seven sisters referred to in an earlier post is also called the Pleides (spelling unsure). I love to look for it.

Carol
Carol

February 27, 2015

The Big Dipper for sure! So identifiable and it points to the North Star! It was the first constellation I learned!

Doris
Doris

February 27, 2015

Probably my favorite constellation is Orion the Hunter. It’s hard to pick just one as they are all so amazing.

AG Chick
AG Chick

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is the Pegasus!

Ella
Ella

February 27, 2015

I just love the Big Dipper! It was the first constellation I knew about and spotted. It has a special place in my heart?

bev
bev

February 27, 2015

What is your favorite constellation? I am in awe with every one of the constellations that our Creator made for us. I am old friends with the Big Dipper, as a little girl I would try to find the Big Dipper on clear nights.

Bethany
Bethany

February 27, 2015

I pinned this:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/308918855665902906/

Raina DelRio
Raina DelRio

February 27, 2015

Cassiopeia and Orion are the constellations we can always find when we star gaze in our backyard

Bethany
Bethany

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Orion.

cathy
cathy

February 27, 2015

I love this great idea! I love the seven sister constellation we always called it the little galaxy. Orion is my second!!

Jody
Jody

February 27, 2015

I forgot to say, my favorite constellation is Orion

Aime Vaitkus
Aime Vaitkus

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is the Swan.

Jody
Jody

February 27, 2015

Love, love, love this!!

Geraldine Bubb
Geraldine Bubb

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is the big dipper. I love seeing it and I love this shirt.

Gail
Gail

February 27, 2015

My favorite constellation is Orion the Hunter. He stands so stately in the night sky.

Regina Long
Regina Long

February 27, 2015

Big Dipper. Like watching the stars.

Sophie T
Sophie T

February 27, 2015

Cool t-shirt!

My favorite constellation is the swan!

Jane Kennedy
Jane Kennedy

February 27, 2015

Mine is Aries, my sign. But, I love to sit by a campfire and watch the heavenly stars in their nightly display….Awesome.

Marian
Marian

February 27, 2015

I have always loved that there was a constellation, Lyra, the harp. I have always loved music and that embodies that love of music.

Shelly
Shelly

February 27, 2015

My favorite is the Pegasus. This is a great technique! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Tove Edens
Tove Edens

February 27, 2015

My favourite constellation has to be the Big Dipper, a great experience teaching the children and now the grandchildren the wonders of the Universe

Linda
Linda

February 27, 2015

I like Ursa Minor, because it’s little, like a child, beside the Big Dipper .

Sandra B
Sandra B

February 27, 2015

Ursa Major as my husband is my very own cuddly bear.

Joyce
Joyce

February 27, 2015

My would be all as they are unique made and place by God. Your shirt (stars and stripes) represents our country and is amazingly cute!

Lois
Lois

February 27, 2015

Orion is my favorite constellation The shirt is super cute!

Susan Ryan
Susan Ryan

February 27, 2015

ORION – My middle initial is O so my name sounds like O-Ryan = Orion!

VALERIE
VALERIE

February 27, 2015

My favorite is Pegasus

Teresa
Teresa

February 27, 2015

Scorpius is my favourite constellation. It is my astrological sign.

CECILIA
CECILIA

February 27, 2015

Orions belt, because was the 1st stars names my Father teaching me. Now I’m older, my Dad gone, and I live in this country, and every time I see this stars is like he is with me. And… now I teach the same to my kids :)

Tanner
Tanner

February 27, 2015

My favorite is Orion, because I had a cat named after it. :3

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