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Monday, March 9, 2015

DIY "Make Pretty Things" Graphic Tee

Hey, y'all!  If you're reading this, you probably like to make things.  Am I right?  I know I do.  When I have a day where I can craft all day long, it makes me so happy.  A quote I've heard that fits my life is, "I Just Want to Make Pretty Things."  Making pretty things makes me happy.  So when this month's Silhouette Challenge theme was Typography/Word Art, I decided a graphic tee with that life-fitting quote was the perfect project to make.  Today I'm going to show you how I made it, and I'm offering you the free cut file so that you can make your own.  Please be sure to stick around until the end of the post where you'll find 21 other Silhouette word art projects to inspire you.
DIY "Make Pretty Things" Graphic Tee--Get the free cut file to make your own! pitterandglink.com
If you want to make your own graphic tee, you'll need a T-shirt and heat transfer vinyl.
A plain tee and heat transfer material become a chic graphic tee! pitterandglink.com
I bought a roll of gold vinyl from Silhouette when they had their big Black Friday sale, and my T-shirt came from Belk.
"I Just Want to Make Pretty Things" Free Silhouette Cut File from pitterandglink.com
Of course, you'll need a design to cut from the vinyl, so I'm giving you the "I Just Want to Make Pretty Things" word art graphic I created.
Mirror a graphic before cutting it from heat transfer vinyl.  pitterandglink.com
You can download the graphic {HERE}.  I've already reversed the design for you so that you can simply cut it with your Silhouette.  (If you'd like to use the design for another project, you'll just need to mirror it to "un-reverse" it.)
Use your Silhouette to cut heat transfer material and make a fab shirt! pitterandglink.com
To cut my HTV, I used the machine setting for regular Silhouette heat transfer material.  (If you're not sure what settings to use to cut your vinyl, you can always start with the machine settings and do a test cut first.)  I cut the vinyl without using the mat.  
Note: When using HTV, remember to cut it with the shiny side down.
Weed your design before ironing on your t-shirt. pitterandglink.com
Once my HTV was cut, I weeded the design.  I don't have a fancy weeding tool, so I just always use my craft knife.
Follow HTV package directions to iron your design on your tee. pitterandglink.com
After I weeded the design, I centered it onto my T-shirt and ironed it on following the HTV package directions.
"I Just Want to Make Pretty Things" DIY Graphic Tee from pitterandglink.com
Don't you just love my new shirt?  I feel like it looks like a fancy graphic tee you'd buy from a chic store.
DIY "Make Pretty Things" Graphic Tee--Use the free cut file in post to make your own! pitterandglink.com
Side Note: Photographing metallic lettering on a tee is hard work, y'all.  Acting like a goofball because I don't always know how to pose in front of the camera is not.  ;)
Excited about creating? Make a DIY graphic tee to show everyone.  (Free cut file in post.) pitterandglink.com
I'm excited (can't you tell?) about the fact that now YOU can easily make your own totally fabulous graphic tee that will make you feel just as excited as I am.
A plain tee and HTV can become a pretty graphic tee with the help of your Silhouette. (Free cut file in post.) pitterandglink.com

Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?


My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I are all sharing projects on our blogs today, so peruse the projects below for a wealth of Silhouette inspiration!

St. Patrick's Day Gift Tag with {FREE Cut File}The Fine PrintMr. and Mrs. Word ArtHe is Risen Easter Silhouette ArtDIY "Make Pretty Things" Graphic TeeBride & Groom Baseball ShirtsUsing Sketch Pens (and Markers!) For BeginnersHeart Shaped Vinyl Word ArtStar Wars Light Switch - Silhouette ChallengePallet Wood Roman Numeral Anniversary Signhow to cut LARGE Vinyl DecalsCreating Labels with Sketch Pens - March Silhouette ChallengeAin't No Party Like A Gatsby Party T-ShirtDIY Faux Enamel TagsHarry Potter Word ArtWhere the Wild Things Are Pallet Sign"At Last" Framed Vinyl Word ArtLucky Pallet SignSt. Patrick's Day Etched Glass Jar GiftThe Fault In Our Stars Inspired Shirt - Okay? Okay.Silhouette Craft Projects: Framed Irish ProverbSketch out an Inspiring Quote
1. My Paper Craze // 2. The Stamp Doc // 3. Peanut Life Adventures // 4. Creative Ramblings // 5. Pitter and Glink // 6. The Thinking Closet // 7. Single Yet Married Mom // 8. unOriginalMom // 9. Sisters, What! // 10. Where The Smiles Have Been // 11. From Whine to Whine // 12. Adventures in All Things Food // 13. Practically Functional // 14. Patina Paradise // 15. Please Excuse My Craftermath... // 16. Weekend Craft // 17. Two Purple Couches // 18. Ribbons & Glue // 19. TitiCrafty // 20. Simply Kelly Designs // 21. Confessions of an Overworked Mom // 22. Get Silvered
With all these great projects to look at, I hope you feel inspired to whip up a Silhouette project of your own soon.  Happy crafting!
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23 comments:

  1. I love your new shirt! The gold was a great choice!
    Glenna @ My Paper Craze

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  2. Bethany,

    This is so sweet. I love how you made this shirt.

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  3. Very neat. I have never used my Silhouette to make a t-shirt before. Definitely need to try this.

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  4. Very neat. I have never used my Silhouette to make a t-shirt before. Definitely need to try this.

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  5. So cute, plus you are beautiful in the photos! LOVE!

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  6. Hi! I love this shirt! Do you mind telling me the names of the fonts that you used?

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    1. Hi, Angelica! Thanks so much! For the "I just want to make" phrase, I used Catalina Avalon Slab. For the "pretty things" part, I used Very Berry Pro.

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  7. No, I don't really like to make things. I just like to live vicariously through your creativity. ;) Such a darling shirt.

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  8. Way too cute Bethany!!! You are very photogenic. I've been a silent reader for a while (it has been a rough 2015, but things are getting better!). As always, thanks for sharing. Kim

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  9. Thank you for sharing this! I found you via Silhouette's Instagram, btw. So...I downloaded the file, but the "I just want to make" portion of the image does not translate over, and instead shows up as a blocky, generic font. Could it be because I have not updated to the current version of Silhouette Studio?

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    1. Hi, Liz! I'm so glad you found your way over to my blog via Silhouette's Instagram! I apologize for the problem with the file. I forgot to weld the letters together of the "I just want to make" part. I'm so glad you caught this so that I could fix it. (Otherwise, anyone without the font I used won't be able to have the pretty words!) Would you mind clicking on the link in the post again to re-download the new corrected file and tell me if it works now? It should, but I want to make sure. Thanks again for your sweet words!

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  10. Love the shirt and you look fantastic in front of the camera!

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  11. I am having the same issue as Liz. Is it because we may not have that font? Would you mind sharing what font you used?

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    1. Hi! You're correct. I forgot to weld the first few words together to create an "image" rather than a word made up of fonts. (If that makes sense...) I edited the file, and hopefully now if you click on the link in the post and download the file again, you should be able to view the complete graphic the way I designed it. I apologize for the mistake. Please let me know if it works for you now. And just in case, the font I used for the top of the design is Catalina Avalon Slab. Have a great day!

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  12. Love your design. The T shirt looks fabulous.

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  13. that is just completely awesome.
    Sophia
    someplaceinthemidst.blogspot.com

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  14. This is such a cute shirt and in my fave colors! I really love your design, but was wondering if you have download for cricut users!
    Janet

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    1. Thanks so much for your awesome comment! I only have experience with the Silhouette, so unfortunately, I don't have a download for Cricut users. Sorry. :( Have a great day!

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  15. This is adorable! I would love to put it on a big sign in my craft room. I know its been awhile but is there any chance you could convert the file to a SVG cut file so that us cricut users can use it too?
    Thanks,
    Lisa

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  16. This is adorable! Great job! I'd love to put it on a big sign in my craft room. Any chance you can convert it to a SVG cut file so that us Cricut users can us it too.

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Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to leave an awesome comment! :)