A Blog For Poor Creative People: Rorschach (Ink blot) Test T-shirt Design

Here's a really simple way to add a cool design to any t-shirt for little money. It's very easy to do, takes little time, and adds an exciting touch to any plain old thing.

This is the front panel of a hoodie I'm sewing for my class.

Here's what the t-shirt will look some what like when your done.

Look at all the possibilities!

What you need:

T-shirt (traditionally, its most effective with a white shirt, but I urge you to experiment!)
Plastic bags/newspaper
Fabric Paint ( I use Neo Opauqe by Jacquard, Do not try to use water colors or oil based paints, it'll be a disaster, use fabric safe paint)
Piece of Cardboard.

You can find fabric paint at any craft or fabric store. It usually comes
in a tiny jar like this. For best results make sure the paint says "light
body opaque acrylic". This little jar costs about $5, but it can make
about four shirts.

How to do it:
Step 1: Place plastic bags or newspaper inside the t-shirt to keep the paint from bleeding through to the opposite side of the shirt.
Step 2: Lay out the t-shirt flat on a layer of plastic or newspapers.

Step 3: Fold the shirt in half, and crease the fold. When you open the shirt, you should have a faint fold line down the middle.

Step 4: Randomly put down paint on ONE side of the t-shirt. DO NOT cross the center line. I just dropped the paint straight from the bottle, it forms a more organic shape.
Step 5: CAREFULLY, fold your shirt back on the center line. Make sure that the shirt doesn't crease as you fold it back.
Step 6: Using the piece of cardboard, press firmly down on the folded shirt.
Step 7: Open the t-shirt! Your design should be reflected over the center line, showing two equal halves.
Step 8: Allow to dry, and wear it! Easy as that!

Just so you know, the way you spill the paint is how you change the pattern. Its difficult to have a defined shape, so just go for it and experiment!

Other ways to use this technique: