How to make a Christmas Reindeer Craft Shirt with Handprints

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Christmas reindeer craft shirt
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fabric paint
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shirt painting form
A Christmas reindeer craft shirt transforms your child's foot and handprint into wearable art. Enjoy this holiday craft as a family or group project; once the paint is out it is easy to make more than one. A Christmas reindeer craft shirt will make everyone smile and makes a nice keepsake gift for doting relatives.

Wash and dry your tee shirt or sweatshirt. The paint will adhere best by rinsing away the manufacturer's sizing. Fabric paint is opaque so you can choose any color shirt you like. 

Gather your materials. Find fabric paint at craft stores or on-line. Make sure it is permanent paint so your Christmas reindeer craft shirt can be washed. Wiggly eyes and a puffball will complete the project. Rinse one puffball and set on a paper towel to make sure it is colorfast. If no color bleeds out it is washable. 

Place a piece of cardboard inside the shirt before you start painting to prevent the fabric paint from wicking through and staining the back of your shirt. You can purchase a specially make tee shirt helper or cut up a box. A thick layer of newspaper can work, but watch carefully for saturation.
Plan out the placement of your foot and handprint before starting for best design on your shirt.

Cover your work area with newspaper. Find a chair for your child to sit on. Prepare a dishpan of soapy water and a towel ready to wash off the fabric paint. 

Start by painting the foot. Have your child sit on the chair. Use a soft paintbrush and generously apply the paint, making sure to pay extra attention to the creases and between the toes. Be prepared for lots of giggles as the paint feels kind of cold and slimly.

Place the shirt on the floor. Help the child stand up on the unpainted foot and guide the painted foot into the desired location for the face of the reindeer. Try not to wiggle and smear the paint, but have them stand long enough to make a print. If you have never done this before you may want to make a practice print on paper and paint the foot again for your project. Immediately wash your child's foot in the dishpan.

Repeat the process for the hand prints which are the reindeer's antlers. Touch up gaps with a brush if desired.

Allow the painted hand and foot print to dry. Use permanent glue to attach the wiggly eyes and a puffball for a nose. Use small tip fabric paint bottle pens to personalize and make details like eyelashes and a mouth. Have fun collecting compliments on your Christmas reindeer craft shirt!


Tips:
  • Hand wash or use the delicate cycle for best results.
  • Make these as a family or group for a fun picture of your multi-generational "herd". 
  • Fabric paint makes a permanent stain on cloth or carpet. Roll up your pant leg or sleeves and wipe up spills immediately.
All content and images original works of kittycooks. Copyright 2009