Patch Summer Camp – How To Make A Spray Painted Fireworks T-Shirt

Welcome to Patch Summer Camp!

Camp is as essential to summer as the sunshine itself. One of the most enduring memories of camp for many kids is whiling away hours under the shade of a giant tree, engrossed in myriad imaginative, creative projects known as camp crafts.

But don’t pack the kids’ bags just yet – Patch will give you all of the information you need to create a summer camp atmosphere right in your own backyard.

So find a spot on the picnic table bench – a little crowding is okay – it’s time for Patch Summer Camp!

Patch Summer Camp – Spray Painted Fireworks T-Shirt

Celebrate Independence Day with a festive fashion statement – white T-shirts spray painted with red and blue fabric paint to resemble exploding fireworks.  This is an easy craft to set up in the backyard and a perfect activity for the neighborhood crew; all the aunts, uncles and cousins; or just the immediate family.

Supplies are minimal – white T-shirts and ready-to-spray fabric paint (available at craft stores). If the ready-to-spray paint is not available, or if there is a large number of participants, you can make your own ready-to-spray fabric paint. Simply buy quantities of small empty spray bottles at a dollar or discount store. Fill the bottles with paint and water (ratio ¼ paint to ¾ water) and you’re ready to spray.

What’s special is that each shirt turns out different – a creation as unique as its creator. It’s a great way to celebrate America and being American!

You’ll Need:

1 white T-shirt per participant
1 bottle red ready-to-spray fabric paint*
1 bottle blue ready-to-spray fabric paint*
OR see note above to create your own spray bottles
Plastic gloves (optional)
Clothesline or location to hang shirts to dry

*Two bottles ready-to-spray fabric paint will create several shirts, painted front and back.  Check product packaging for details.

Here’s How:

• The best place to set up the project is in the yard on the grass (ideally not on a windy day), where extra paint sprays will be mowed away.  If setting up indoors, place shirts on a large tarp.

• Place shirts on dry grass or tarp, leaving space for each participant to work. Write shirt creator’s initials on shirt tag with permanent marker.

• If creating your own spray bottles, add ¼ paint and ¾ water to spray bottles and shake to blend.

• Lay shirt out flat on surface. Beginning with front of shirt, select a spot where you would like the fireworks shapes to begin. At this spot, grasp the fabric with fingers clenched (front and back sides all at once) and twist clockwise. This should create a vortex shape where fabric was twisted. Now, spray the vortex area from about 4” away, covering the area with one color of paint.  Straighten shirt out to its original flat position.

• Continue selecting areas where you would like to create a fireworks shape and follow same procedure as above. Make larger “fireworks” by loosely twisting fabric and fashion smaller shapes by twisting the vortex shapes tightly.

• Create multi-color fireworks shapes by twisting fabric in a clockwise motion (as described above) and spraying with one color. Straighten shirt and grasp material in the exact same spot, but this time twist the fabric in a counter-clockwise direction and spray with the second color.

• When front of shirt is finished, repeat these steps on back of shirt.

• Hang shirt until completely dry. When dry, tumble in the clothes dryer for 15 minutes to heat set the paint (this will help retain the color after many washings).

• Tip: Encourage kids (particularly younger children) to spray shirt from 4-inch distance so shirt does not become too saturated with paint. Shirt should be only slightly damp from paint so paint does not leak through to back side.