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I decided I wanted to make a shirt for myself for when I take my kids places this summer. I’ve made shirts before, this should have been simple. Except, I made a few blunders on the way.
As a side note, I am going to start a podcast with all my tips for selfie-taking. The podcast will have only 1 episode and the title will be: “how NOT to take a selfie.” It’s going to be great.
Blunder #1 – Gray on gray.
I bought a gray shirt and only had silver glitter heat-transfer vinyl in my vinyl stock. I know monotone can be popular, but I think for graphic tees, it is kind of pointless. I should have just left the shirt blank. It would have been less work and looked the same.
Blunder #2 – Reaaaaaaaally cheap vinyl.
Unfortunately, sometimes you get what you pay for. I was hoping I’d get lucky with my $6 vinyl, but I hate to say it … all these photos I took wearing this shirt. That was day 1. At the end of day 1, all of the vinyl peeled off because the edges came up and I couldn’t help finishing the job. (The price has shot up in just a few weeks since I ordered it, so maybe more people are having success and I did something wrong? I don’t know, but I will order something else more like this one next time.)
At least it was glorious while it lasted.
Actual tip #1: pin vinyl in place with the shirt on before heating into place.
I believe the title and image sum this tip up, but I’ll repeat for funsies. I put on the shirt and then pinned the vinyl into place so it would be exactly where I wanted it instead of in an awkward place.
Actual tip #2: use a shirt that you like
I think one of the biggest mistakes with making graphic tee’s is using a cheap shirt that you’ll never actually want to wear. I’m a little chubby (and my skin is super sensitive to how a fabric feels, so it is hard for me to find t-shirts that are comfortable and that I love to wear. One thing I got right on this shirt-making escapade was the actual shirt. I LOOOOOOOVED IT. I’ve now ordered more of these shirts in other colors.
Blunder #3 – Trying and failing at selfies.
This was one of the best ones, which really says a lot … in a sad way. 🤣
The Cut File
If you want to go on your own shirt making adventure, you’re welcome to use this cut file. I’m sorry, it is a Studio3 format and may only work with Silhouette Cameos.
Download the Chaos Coordinator Studio3 cut file – personal use only.
Bonus shirt for baby boy –
My girls were at girls camp this week, so it was just me and little man. I made him a Zelda shirt real quick with files from Etsy and he doesn’t want to take it off. On day 3 I told him we needed to wash it before he wore it again. His vinyl is staying on better, so maybe the problem with the vinyl was me??
Just Go For It
I begin each arts and crafts project completely unafraid. It is one area that I really don’t fear making mistakes. I figure it will all work itself out or at least be fun along the way. I wasn’t wrong. Even though I did all this and STILL don’t have a graphic tee shirt with this design while I’m waiting for the new vinyl in the mail, I’m STILL happy.
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