Okay, so I’ve been wanting to make this Block Island shirt for, like, ever. I finally decided to just go for it. I started by grabbing a plain white t-shirt from my closet – nothing fancy, just a basic one I had lying around.
Finding the Perfect Design
First things first, I needed a design. I spent a good chunk of time browsing online, looking for something that really screamed “Block Island” to me. I ended up finding a simple outline of the island, and I thought, “Yeah, that’s the one!” It wasn’t too complicated, which was good because, let’s be honest, I’m not exactly an artist.
Getting the Supplies
Next up, I gathered my materials. I already had the shirt, so I just needed some fabric paint and a stencil. I went with a classic navy blue for the paint, you know, to give it that nautical vibe.
I printed out my Block Island outline on regular paper and cut using scissors. I also pick up a small paint brush and a sponge
The Painting Process
I laid the shirt out flat on a table, making sure to put some cardboard inside so the paint wouldn’t bleed through to the back. Then, I carefully positioned the stencil on the front of the shirt, right in the center. I used some tape to hold it in place, just to be safe.
Now for the fun part! I dipped my brush into the fabric paint and started to fill the stencil, little by little. I used the sponge to spread it evenly.
Letting It Dry and Setting the Paint
Once I was happy with the coverage, I carefully peeled off the stencil. And there it was! My Block Island outline, looking pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.
I let the shirt dry completely, which took a few hours. Patience is not my strong suit, but it was necessary. Once it was dry, I set a towel to put on top of the image, I followed the instructions on the fabric paint bottle to heat-set the design. Usually, this involves ironing it for a few minutes, but I double-checked just to be sure.
The Finished Product
And that’s it! My very own, handmade Block Island shirt. It’s not perfect, but I made it, and that’s what counts. I can’t wait to wear it on my next trip to the island – or, you know, just around town to show off my crafty skills (and my love for Block Island, of course!).
