I pretty much only use cheap acrylics, but I'm paranoid to wash my stuff in a machine. I'm working on a really pretty cap right now, and I would die if all the work I spent on it went to waste.
I know how you feel, that's happened to me, people messing with my knit/crochet peices, stepping on them and such. I have a bad temper, and an aggressive personality, so no one comes near my peices anymore unless I tell them it's ok, or they craft too. It's kind of nice.
WalMart, Micheals and Target all sell plain white/solod colored t-shirts. Well, Target might not, but I know that the other two do. And I believe Micheals sells them for pretty cheap. And I'm pretty sure they sell hoodies too.
It seems plausible to me, but it'll take a lot of work and man *coughwomancough* hours. Above all else, don't let yourself get brought down, because that's the best way to keep yourself from reaching the goal. And congrats on getting to the Robotics Competition, I know my brother would be interested in doing that...