Make Your Own Valentine's Day Iron-on Tshirts

Iron On T-shirts are a fun way for kids to make unique Valentine's Day presents for those people they love. Grandparents love these crafts because it came from their grandkids and because it's such a creative idea. These tips and suggestions will help you get started making your own iron-on transfer t-shirts.

First, there are some things you will need to make a Valentine's Day iron-on t-shirt. You will need a computer with a printer. You will also need iron on paper. This can be found at most office supply stores or electronic stores that carry specialty printer paper. This kind of paper allows the normal ink in your printer to be transferred to the t-shirt design when heat is applied. You will also need to either have a design and scanner or an internet connection to search for a design. By using a scanner or uploading from a digital camera, you can apply a photograph to the t-shirt.

If you use a photograph, one especially fun idea is to edit the picture with your favorite photo editing software. This way, you can attach a caption bubble and make the photo "say" something funny or sweet. You can also change the images to a more Valentine's Day suited theme by adding a heart border or writing "I love you" across the top. Those who are experts at Photoshopping can make some really creative designs that the recipient is sure to love. It's possible to edit them into backgrounds of their favorite location, or to include some of their favorite things in the photo, even if they weren't there originally.

Make sure that your design will look good on the paper by opening it in its own window. You may want to print it on normal paper first, so you have an idea of how it will look. Some images do not transfer well, especially from low quality printers, and testing it first allows you to discover this before you waste the comparatively expensive iron on paper. After you find the image you want to use, follow the instructions that came with the paper. They should also give you instructions for applying the design to the shirt. As long as you follow their instructions, your image should come out fine.

Now comes the fun part. Once the Valentine's Day design is on the shirt, you can decorate the shirt in other ways. If it is a lacy heart design, sew some lace along the edge, so that it stands out from the shirt. To do this, measure the edge of the heart with a flexible tape measure. Sew the lace around the edge, either by machine or hand. You can also insert small grommets if you are comfortable doing so. This lets you weave ribbon in and out of the holes, which gives the tshirt a unique 3D texture. Make sure to put these in a discreet location, because they are holes. If you are confident in your sewing skills, you can attach a small panel to the back that will not allow your skin to show through these holes. Also, if kids are helping you with the design, rhinestones are essential. They will enjoy the sparkle from them. Just help them moderate the amount of rhinestones that are added, and the design will still be something an adult would wear.

And remember, this idea can easily be expanded to include other mediums. Try making a bag for a child's teacher, a wall-hanging for their room, or even a unique bedding set. Simply use the same instructions and adjust the size to match the size of the project. These all make great Valentine's Day gifts for a special person, and it's a craft that kids will have a lot of fun doing.