I usually bring a project to work on while I’m on vacation. This year I brought a shirt to embroider on. I picked up a few of these light weight cotton, button down shirts at H&M in the beginning of the summer. I thought this one in particular would look more interesting with some embroidery. I decided to stamp something that would make a subtle background to embroider over. First I sketched some ideas then cut out shapes out of sticky back foam to make a stamp on foam core. The pencil lines are incised creating a little more detail.
I stamped the shirt with an shimmer white screen printing ink. I thought that it was too subtle so I stamped in again with the ink mixed with MiO, liquid water enhancer that you use to flavor your water. It worked great, just like using Kool Aid to dye natural fabrics. Why do they put such intense colorants in things kids drink so it stains their clothes? Just wondering.
The second stamping was off register which created a shadow that looked intentional. For the embroidery I used a warm summer color story and simple stitches.
The repeat of the pattern I decided to just outline in white.
It’s kind of sweet but I’m enjoying wearing it with this bright orange tank.
