Kids Christmas Shirts 2008

One of the things the children plucked out of the advent calendar this year, was a slip of paper promising to let them design their own Christmas t-shirts. Now, keeping in mind these are 8, 4 & 2 year old boys, the designing process was a little "guided".

This year, I purchased three plain white muscle shirts from Best & Less, when they were selling 3 for $10. Our homemade Christmas shirts have become a tradition here, and once Christmas has come and gone, they are used as pyjama tops.

This year, I bought 30cm of this fabric when it was 50% off. I got this particular one, knowing that the boys could choose their own squares to adorn their shirts. That's what they did. I also bought a packet of Christmas themed buttons (also half price) for $1.25, and some rainbow glitter fabric paint for $1 on the clearance table.

Each of the children chose which motifs they wanted for their design. Some of that sticky applique stuff was ironed onto the back of the fabric, and each square carefully cut out.

Then the bigger boys were allowed to iron them onto the shirts; clearly the most exciting part of the crafting.

With a lead pencil, the 8 year old wrote out the word "Christmas" - his choice - under the appliques and then went over it with the paint pen which was super tricky. I wrote out the other two. We let them dry overnight.

Next day, I quickly topstitched around the outside of the decals, and attached various buttons to the shirts to gild the lily. The photos don't show it, but each shirt has a red snowflake on the back as well.

They've now been worn and washed and are flapping in the breeze outside. I was a bit worried the fabric might run into the white shirts, but it hasn't.

Voila. Three really individual, handmade Christmas shirts for about $4.50 each (which is what the commercial ones cost). These little boys are still small enough to think that the ones I make are better than the bought ones. I hope that lasts a little longer.....wistful sigh. Lisa x