When in London - Freezer Paper print T-shirt

Painting is an innate and ancient activity. Back in the caves times we were painting rocks depicting the world around us plus our own feelings, so yeah, whether ages ago or today, art is the same: it's the reality of each of us, our own experience, our soul there on canvas, on paper, fabric, walls, you name it.

And if you are art, why would fashion be something else? I always believed you are the fashion and fashion is you. You should be able to choose what to wear according to how you feel and what you truly like. And if you don't know what you like, making your own art and clothes is a brilliant way to learn.

Let's have another look back, not so far now, when we were kids. During childhood we experienced the unbridled joy of painting, with or without a brush, but this is somehow lost when we get older. Perhaps we have been told we couldn't paint, perhaps our minds are too busy being worried now. And even fashion stops being a fun means to express one's self.

Well, there's never too late to change that. I say, start now, start painting, making and creating your clothes, your mood, your environment. If you've ever been told you weren't talented, forget that. If you work hard every day and don't have much time, make time to be artsy, you won't regret it.

So, welcome to a series of painting - refashioning - upcycling easy fashion tutorials. I hope you'll have fun creating things that help define your uniqueness, explore and relax, ultimately.

Here's a very easy project - printing with freezer paper and fabric paint. You'll need:

T-SHIRT (old, new, it doesn't really matter as long as you like it);
DRAWING/IMAGE you want to print;
WOODEN OR PLASTIC BOARD;
FREEZER PAPER;
X-ACTO KNIFE or any craft knife to cut on the outline;
SPONGE;
IRON;
FABRIC PAINT.

I chose a drawing I made a while ago, after one year of living in London. We practically had two weeks of summer last year, from which just one without rain. Thus, the drawing. Now I get why they love tea here, it's the best thing to enjoy considering the weather.

First, let me tell you why I used freezer paper. It has a wax coated side which acts like a soft sticker when ironed onto fabric, so it adheres on the spot, prevents the stencil from moving  (like normal paper, foam or plastic sheets would) and it's very easy fuss-free to peel off. So draw (or inkjet print) on the shiny side of the freezer paper and then cut using the tip of the knife. This part takes a while, but you just have to follow the line and be patient.

Then I iron the stencil on the T-shirt, medium heat, no steam. Next up, place the board inside the T-shirt, then dip the tip of  a small sponge in paint and press it against the surface. Be gentle and cover the margins well. When it's dry, simply peel off the stencil and there you have it, a cool T-shirt made by you, with your own idea.

Hope this project made you feel more confident and longing to create more. I think fashion should always be meaningful and at hand. Would love to see some of your ideas printed like this.

What fashion project are you willing to take next?

Love, Cris.