Nothing beats stumbling upon a DIY that doesn’t require buying materials: this t shirt printing tutorial is one of them. What’s more, the only lengthy part to this project is cutting out the design, after that it’s a simple case of dabbing your way to the finish line. This printing technique can be used on cotton fabrics, too – great for personalising sewing projects. Put on some tunes while you craft, here’s a playlist.

You will need:

• Free template
• T-shirt or vest
• A blade
• A cutting surface
• Tape
• Transparency film or freezer paper
• Two small sponges
• Two fabric paint shades
• Tin foil

Tip: Try practicing on spare fabric first to get the hang of using a stencil.

Step 1
Tape the template design to a piece of film or freezer paper, and place on your cutting surface.

Step 2
Carefully cut the film, tracing the design as closely as possible.

Step 3
Once your stencil is complete, place on your t-shirt and secure with tape. Place a sheet of foil inside to protect the reverse.

Step 4
Coat your sponge with a small amount of paint.

Step 5
Sponge paint the first colour onto the shirt inside the stencil, using even pressure. Start around the edges and work towards the centre. Gently use a downward stamping motion to apply the paint. Do not wipe.

Step 6
Paint the second colour using a fresh sponge, working towards the middle. Gently blend the colours together in the middle to create a smooth gradient.

Step 7
Allow to air dry or use a hair dryer before peeling the stencil.