Frida t-shirt (transfer pen)

[slick]

I've been wanting to do a stencil of Frida for a t-shirt, but haven't had the time to cut out a complicated stencil.  So,  I tried out this sulky transfer pen I had bought somewhere a while ago
http://www.sulkyonline.com/transferpens/

It came out more faded than it would if you did a stencil, but you can do different colors, and it's a good alternative if you have problems cutting detailed stencils like I do!  

[second-hand-smoke]

ooo! perfect timing! i had just given up on a stencil i was working on cause it was too detailed. this is the perfect solution!! thanks for the tip!

btw - do you have any idea where i can get those pens NOT on line? i am kind of on a deadline....

[slick]

ooo! perfect timing! i had just given up on a stencil i was working on cause it was too detailed. this is the perfect solution!! thanks for the tip!

btw - do you have any idea where i can get those pens NOT on line? i am kind of on a deadline....

Yeah...I got mine at a random fabric store, but I would bet you could get them at JoAnn's or some other fabric store!  Good luck!  

[second-hand-smoke]

thanks so much!!

[Goddess]

just a question, on the description of the pen, it said a "color coded image" what's that all about? pardon if it's lame to ask....

[slick]

just a question, on the description of the pen, it said a "color coded image" what's that all about? pardon if it's lame to ask....

Goddess: I'm not sure really!  I think it just means that you could color different parts of the image different colors, and then iron.  That's just a guess though!  

[Goddess]

danke...I thought I was missing something totally crucial..lol

the shirt is way cool btw

[TinySoapyBubbles]

I like that...cool project.   =)

[retrokitten]

I think the sulky pens are commonly used to transfer embroidery designs to fabric (actually I'd been thinking about getting some for that.)  Maybe the "colour coded image" bit refers to that.  So that you would remember what colour floss to use where.

And I love the way you used them to make a stencil-like image, slick.  Great picture too!

[monkeyrocker]

ooo! perfect timing! i had just given up on a stencil i was working on cause it was too detailed. this is the perfect solution!! thanks for the tip!

btw - do you have any idea where i can get those pens NOT on line? i am kind of on a deadline....

I imagine the transfer pen is just a pen with some sort of solvent in it?

You can also do transfers with laquer thinner or citrisolv (which you can probably get at a local grocery or hardware store).  You can use any photocopy or laserprint (color or b&w); you just put a piece of cardboard or wood under the fabric  you want to transfer onto, place the photocopy or laserprint image-side down on the fabric, sponge on some solvent (lacquer thinner, citrisolv...I've heard liter fluid works too, although I haven't used it), then burnish (rub)with the smooth side of a spoon.  I also heat set the image when I'm done (but only after I've let all the solvent fumes evaporate and closed up all my bottles).

some tips for using solvents to do transfers:

Wear solvent gloves/try not to get solvent on your skin (it won't burn or anything, but the solvent is absorbed into your skin and isn't good for you).  Citrisolv is all natural (made from orange peels), but I personally would still use gloves because I'm paranoid about chemicals.

Use in a well ventilated spot so you don't get all lightheaded (from experience).

When I work with a larger image and I want the transfer to be dark and even, I work on a small area, then move around the image in a set pattern (usually a spiral from the outside in), doing small, overlapping areas.  I also pin the image down (it helps to have a small margin on the image) so that it doesn't move as I burnish it.