We are captivated by vintage-style tattoo graphics right now.
So we decided to translate that into a cool tee.

In the foreground is our Stash Studios Tee and in the background is our Killer Junk Tee (more photos on Flickr).

The instructions are very simple and the materials are minimal.

PROJECT NOTES
We used our favorite alternative apparel burnout t-shirt in turquoise but you can recycle an old t-shirt. Use this trick to breathe life into an old tee or cover that coffee stain.

We used a silk habotai photofabric and pellon wonder under to achieve a bondable graphic for our tee. The silk is printed on directly with an inkjet printer.

To complete the tee, we stitched the edges with a black thread. Perfection is not required here. Non-perfection on such an appliqué has a technical term here at Stash Studios - it is referred to as giving an item "character".

Although the silk photofabric package recommends hand wash or dry clean (both of which I try to avoid), I just wash my t-shirt in cool water and either dry at a low temp or hang dry (depending upon how much of a hurry I'm in to wear it). Regular wash and dry gave my silk applique a little crinkle distress and I like that because it added more "character".

PROJECT STEPS

JPEG Version only 84K - lower quality:
Download Stash-Studios-Tattoo-Tee-Tu.jpg
PDF Version 10M - higher quality:
Download stash_studios_tattoo_tee_tutorial.pdf

COOL, I WANT TO DESIGN MY OWN TATTOO TEE...
Stash Studios has put together a little Tattoo Tee Kit just for you.
Our kit includes:

• one Silk Habotai package (with 6 unprinted pieces of 8.5"x11" photofabric)
• one color-printed tutorial sheet
• six 8.5"x11" pieces of Pellon Wonder Under
• FREE SHIPPING

FORGETABOUTIT, I WANT TO BUY A TEE...
If you want a Stash Studios turquoise tee, these are custom made-to-order for $55 (shipping included). Allow 2 weeks for delivery.

Both of these items are available in our paypal blogshop to the right.

Have fun with this project and email me if you design a t-shirt.
I'd love to see what direction you take this tutorial.