Onesies

For my baby shower six years ago, I had my friend Jill run a workshop for me and my party guests painted onesies for my soon to be baby. Since then, I've been using the idea for other friends and family. The project can become clothes, banners, quilt squares, place mats and almost anything fabric.

Instead of buying fabric paints or fabric markers from the craft store, I buy fabric silk screening inks. I've used different brands in the past, but since I was out and "needed" to stock up I did a little research and bought Permaset Aqua (solvent free & water based). I take a small amount of the concentrated  paint and put it in a mason jar, or this time around up-cycled fudge jars from my mother-in-law, add water to dilute and mix them up. I ordered a rainbow of colors so we would have wonderful choices.

Onesies from my baby shower 6 years ago

To set up the fabric, I cut cardboard squares and slip them inside the t-shirt or onesie and use masking tape to fold the edges over. It helps to give people a small canvas to work with and the cardboard absorbs the water from the paints preventing it from soaking the other side.

The process is simple once the paints and fabric is set up. Choose your canvas. Draw with sharpie. Paint! Iron to heat set (once the paints are dry). Wash.

A few weeks back, I hosted a laid back pre-baby gathering for a friend.  The kids drew out their ideas and I helped transfer them to the fabric. I copied their ideas exactly with the permanent marker and the creations are darling. To see more of them, Shel over at One Sweet World documented it well.

Baby quilt made for me by friends.