Or would that be "Tee Art" (T-art for short)? Tees for art tarts? Art for tarts? Interestingly enough, the whole tee embellishment project relates directly to recent discussion about art vs craft (inmnsho a bogus & misleading dichotomy but anything that gets discussion going is a blog plus). Much embellishment falls squarely into crafts camp, often resembling long ago camp & scout crafts projects your parents pretended to like. Yet embellished anything covers quite a range of skill levels, techniques and creativity. That offers the potential for moving it back into functional/ wearable art camp. Up to maker and in the eye of the beholder. Also, since the project straddles both camps, it is both meeting ground and potential site of cooperation.
Until there are new dispatches from the T-front, here are some tip, links (many w/ images on the other end) and resources for the tee artist & tarter-upper. Judy Mowris, Straw Mountain Studio's altered clothing maven, has already picked up two and dyed one + lace red. What are your tee plans?
Tees, how do we embellish thee? Let me count the ways: dye; tea dye; tie-dye; Batik, Shibori or Serti dye; paint; mark with fabric marker; stamp; block print; stencil; transfer original photos, prints, digital art, fractals, or calligraphy; bead; glue on glitter; go wild with glue gun; iron on crystals; pin on beaded or plain safety, diaper or blanket pins; needlepoint; embroider; quilt; reconstruct; appliqué; sew on ribbons, lace, fur, fabric, feathers, buttons, fringe, ruffles, frogs, braid, shoelaces, fake zippers, sleeves or pockets from another garment or whatever; surgically alter by cutting, snipping, gathering, shirring, ruching, stitching - or apply any combined configuration of the preceding. No rules - anything (within reason) goes. If the embellishments weigh too much more than the tee, it might sag in spots unless reinforced.
Why design your own tees?
- help raise funds for MMAC (arts council) that will support local arts and, presumably, go back into the community
- show off your embellishing skills
- compete in a head to head market challenge (whose fetching tee will fetch the most?)
- basic recycling. April 22 is Earth Day: there is more to tending the environment than fretting about biomass plants.
- expand your wardrobe
- have FUN
T-Links
- T-Shirt Alert
- Designing T-Shirts
- T-shirt museum
- CUTTING EDGES / Do-it-yourself T-shirt surgery
- More T-shirt surgery (with images & tutorials - don't let page being for cheerleaders turn you off)
- Fabric Painting & Altered T Projects
- Sew happy that it's tee time
- T-shirt Surgery, Live Journal (sort of a blog and altered t-shirt community)
- Piece by Piece
The wonderful thing is that an ugly old T-shirt taking up space in your drawer can become something much, much better with a good-quality pair of scissors and a little ingenuity. You can cut new necks or sleeves and holes in strategic places, do lacing or ties. With two swipes of the sewing machine, a boxy shirt becomes a baby T. You can do shirring or ruching (i.e., making attractive wrinkles or bunches), make ruffles or add lace or ribbons, safety pins or other embellishments. T-shirts can become skirts, shorts or bags.
Personalized T-shirts
Materials- 1 plain, light-colored T-shirt, all-cotton or cotton-poly
- 1 digital image
- T-shirt transfer paper
- Iron and ironing board
- Colorfast, washable embellishments such as buttons, beads, fringe
- Needle & thread
1. Print the digital image onto transfer paper. You may need to use computer or printer software to flip the image first to ensure that it appears on the shirt as
intended, especially if there's text. (If using a color copier, look for one that has a "flip image" setting.)
2. Following the transfer-paper manufacturer's instructions, iron the image to the front of the T-shirt. Allow the transfer to set.
Remember that unless you're using a type of transfer paper that's labeled as opaque, the color of the shirt will show through any "white" parts of your image, so choose your shirt accordingly.3. Sew and/or glue on embellishments
So once again, tarry not. Hie thyself hence - scurry to Mixed Media Arts (aka Celeste's studio next to the bank (formerly Bank of Belen & now renamed "My Bank"). Call or e-mail her first though. Get your own blank tee and have fun. Got embellishment ideas to share? Post them here.
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ReplyDeleteWanted to give everyone an industry insider tip (i used to work in the screenprinting industry): Broder Bros (www.broderbros.com) is a great source of high quality wholesale t-shirts. It's very easy to set up a wholesale account and offer wholesale prices at even per piece purchases. But the more you order, the cheaper it is and they allow you to mix and matches sizes and colors and still get quantity discounts.
ReplyDeleteI have finished my first embellished/altered Tee...it is really fun! I do have some questions for the event coordinators:
ReplyDelete1. Will the T-shirt auction be live or silent?
2. Will there be minimum bids established prior to the auction?
3. What will happen to any shirts that are not bid on at the end of the auction?
Jude *
I spoke with Celeste this morning and secured the following information: The Tees will be part of the silent auction along with the other donated pieces of artwork. There will be a minimum bid (no less than $10) for a T-shirt. No decision has been made about any shirts that are left over, or not sold. She indicated they were property of MMAC since they bought the blank shirts. I expressed concern about holding them over until next year. Remined her that I created a dozen large banners that have disappeared and that a handful of tees could fall down that rat hole easily. the committee will decide how to handle. Perhaps artist could "buy back" the shirt for $2.00 and then keep it. (watch every nickel here !)
ReplyDeleteWe also discussed asking the ladies at the Senior Center if they would like to participate in the decorating/altering of Tees. She was sure they would not be at all interested (not sure where she got that from) but did finally say she might go ask them. I was not convinced that would happen.
Jude *
Thanks Dennis & Jude.
ReplyDeleteI sure wish someone would get on the stick and undertake producing a series of classy Mountainair tees to offer visitors. Judy and I are a collaborating on and researching a related piece - and not without its humorous aspects either.
Let private enterprise step in where organizations and councils drop the ball. Maybe seeing art tees all over come tour time will be an empetus. Speaking of which, why not display tees by wearing them?
Judy, it sure sounds to me as though tee-artists need to get details better nailed down and in writing to boot. What if someone on the committee tells you that you can buy back your tee if it does not make minimum bid, but then the policy changes without anyone letting you know?
Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteGood questions as always. Celeste did indicate that one possible resolution was to reimburse MMAC by "buying the shirt" for the $2 that the council paid for the shirt. This seems fair. However, I have put considerable time and resources into the 2 shirts I have created. I will be there at the end of the auction. I hope every Tee has been purchased. I would not have a problem picking mine up and walking out, if necessary. It is a shame that "the comittee" has not met and resolved what appear to me to be simple questions.
Jude *
Shouldn't that have been resolved before even announcing the project?
ReplyDeleteMarilla,
ReplyDeleteYou would think so. However, since I did not volunteerd to be on any comittee, I guess I have to be patient with those who at least have done that. Clear thinking, a plan and follow through is always appreciated, even if foreign concepts to some.
Jude *
Just a heads up here: Celeste will be out of town all next week so if you have not picked up your Tee to embellish You might want to get in touch with her.
ReplyDeleteJude *