How to Make a T-Shirt Feel Worn
A t-shirt is an article of clothing that is unlike many other garments. The more worn it feels, the more comfortable the t-shirt will be. Like a worn pair of jeans, there are few things that are quite as comfortable as a t-shirt that feels nice and worn. The t-shirt can be made to feel more worn than it is in a number of ways. It can also be made to feel less stiff by avoiding some types of garment care.
If a t-shirt feels stiff, it might be getting the type of care that makes clothing feel less worn. This may include spray starch and ironing. If you want the t-shirt to feel more worn, don’t iron it and throw away the starch. Starch has never made anything feel more comfortable.
And as far ironing: don’t. Most t-shirts don’t wrinkle anyway. If they do happen to have a few wrinkles, they will smooth out as the t-shirt is worn. Ironing a shirt makes it feel a little stiffer and not as if it was well worn. Washing and drying is all the care that a t-shirt really needs most of the time.
For a little extra comfort, always use fabric softener when you wash your t-shirt. This gives it an overall softer feeling and makes it feel as if it has been worn many times. Some washers have an area where a liquid fabric softener can be added and released slowly over time. There are also liquid fabric softeners that can be poured directly into the washer along with the detergent.
For the dryer, use a fabric softener sheet. These are placed in the dryer with the wet clothes and thrown away after the clothes are dry. A dryer sheet will leave the t-shirt feeling soft and comfortable every time you use it.
To keep the t-shirt feeling soft, also be sure to use the correct amount of detergent. Using too much can leave a heavy film on the clothes that will make them feel a little heavier and not as soft. A shirt that is clean but not full of soap has a much nicer feel.
Some people like to stone wash their t-shirts. This can be done by actually washing it with a rough stone, but more often it’s actually done with sandpaper. Rubbing the t-shirt with large-grain sandpaper will very quickly make it feel worn. Simply lay the t-shirt flat and rub it in an up-and-down motion all over the t-shirt.
Perhaps the most effective way to make a t-shirt feel worn is to wear it. Wearing it often, even under other clothing, will make it worn and comfortable in no time. Wear it, wash it and throw it in the dryer and it will become more worn than if it were worn rarely and kept in a drawer. And, the great thing about a t-shirt is that the more you wear it, the more comfortable it is. So don’t leave it in a drawer- get out there are wear it.
How to Avoid Stretching Your T-Shirt
How do you find that perfect fit? You know a t-shirt that flatters your body in all the right places and just makes you more confident when you’re wearing it. Finding the perfect fit can be difficult and may take many hours of trying on one t-shirt after another until, by what you may believe is a miracle, you find it! Now that you’ve found your perfect fitting shirt, you have a new problem, how to keep it fitting just like the day you bought it. We’ve all had the experience of buying a clothing item that fits perfectly the first time you wear it. But after you wash it once, it’s never the same again. So what are you to do? How do you avoid stretching your perfect fitting t-shirt?
Proper clothing care is the first step in preventing stretching and hopefully preserving your perfect fit. As much as you may want to avoid it, you do eventually have to wash your perfect fitting t-shirt. When you take the plunge, wash it in cool water in your washing machine. Then either hang it to dry or tumble dry it on low in your dryer. So you can avoid hauling out the iron and ironing board, you may want use the dryer. However, make sure that you frequently check your shirt during the drying process. If you’re not careful, the evil twin of stretching, which is shrinking, may occur. Using these steps is the best offense for keeping your t-shirt from stretching by maintaining, as closely as possible, the clothing fibers in the same position as when you bought the t-shirt.
A perfect fitting t-shirt is one that hugs your body. For women, this style helps show off the curves of her silhouette. For men, it clings ever so slightly in the chest and arms to show off all the work he’s done at the gym on his pecs and biceps. Your t-shirt does just that and is perfect for you. When friends and family see how good your t-shirt looks on you, they may ask to borrow it or even just try it on. Beware! If you want to avoid stretching, you need to refrain from being your usual kind self. This shirt is a one of a kind work of art just for your body. All those hours spent shopping could be undone by a few extra pounds or the slightly different body shape of your friend or family member. If they suggest your t-shirt it can be shrunk if it is stretched out, don’t become weak and give into their request. Going down that road can open you up to a repeating cycle of shrinking and stretching as you try to get those clothing fibers back to that perfect position.
Finally, it is also important to carefully consider any layering you do with your t-shirt. Depending upon how closely the shirt hugs your body, even another thin t-shirt underneath could stretch it.
Although with a little care and extra work, you can keep your t-shirt from stretching, it is smart to always be on the lookout for another perfect fitting t-shirt. Owning a few of them can keep you from freaking out should stretching accidently happen just before an important date.
How Long Will a T-Shirt Last?
Worried that your favorite t-shirt’s days are numbered? That it’ll die a premature death? Worry no longer. T-shirts never die. Ok, they do eventually, but most of them will live a very, very long time as long as they are not worn every single day. But even if you do want to wear the same shirt every day, the t-shirt will still give you a few blissful months of comfort.
The more often you wear and wash a t-shirt, the more likely it is to wear out. The number of times that the shirt is dried in a clothes dryer also has a lot to do with how long it will last. Any shirt will last longer if it is laid flat to dry or hung up to drip dry rather than being put into a clothes washer. A shirt worn for only an hour or two may not need to be washed and dried at all. If the shirt can go without being washed every time it’s worn, it may last even longer.
A t-shirt that is worn rarely or only once every month or two can certainly be dried in a drier and still last a long time. A shirt in a smaller rotation of clothes, worn once a week and dried in a machine may only last a few months. A shirt that is worn more rarely will last for years or even longer. A shirt that is worn only once or twice a year for a specific type of occasion will last significantly longer than one that is worn weekly or monthly.
Taking good care of a t-shirt means not using bleach on it more than once or twice- bleach causes fabric to weaken and will create holes in it over time. When something is spilled on the shirt and you’re afraid it may stain, try to get the substance out of the fabric right away so that bleach will not have to be used. For a blood stain, soak the t-shirt in cold water immediately. This will take even large quantities of blood out without having to weaken the fabric.
To make the shirt last longer, use a gentle detergent and use slow agitation. This is a good guideline for any other clothing that you want to make last longer as well. A very harsh detergent and fast agitation can make the fabric thinner, weaken the seams and eventually cause holes in t-shirts and many other types of garments. Look for detergent that is made for babies or that doesn’t contain harsh fragrances.
Taking good care of a t-shirt will mean that it will last just about as long as you want it to. It is by no means unusual for a t-shirt to last for decades. If you’ve ever seen anyone wear a vintage t-shirt with a year on it, you have seen how long it is possible to keep a t-shirt. There may not be very many Roaring 20’s t-shirt still around, but there are probably plenty of Woodstock ones.
Custom Halloween T-Shirts Put the “OOOOO” in Boo!
Want a quick and easy Halloween costume for you or your children? Try Halloween t-shirts. They are great for kids of all ages who are heading out to trick or treat. T-shirts are an easy costume for your child’s first Halloween when they are often too tiny for expensive and involved costumes. Try a pumpkin t-shirt. Your little one will be comfortable and adorable. It’s also easy for you when it comes to changing diapers and cleaning up. Personalize the costume with their name. “Ashley’s 1st Halloween!” And, don’t stop there. Mom and Dad can get T-shirts to match and customize them, as well. “I’m Ashley’s Dad.” You will be the most adorable family in the neighborhood!
Other ideas for little ones include a t-shirt that looks like Cinderella’s giant pumpkin with a magic wand and tiara. The shirt says, “Pumpkin Princess.”
T-shirts are a simple costume for older kids and grown-ups who don’t want to put a lot of effort into dressing up for trick or treating or a Halloween party. Try a shirt with a rib cage on it. Or one with the shadow of a man doing martial arts that says, “Cheap Ninja Costume.” And, for those smart alec’s in the group, how about “I left my other costume with your mom.”
Online you can find a variety of pre-designed t-shirts. Look for shirts that will quickly make you look like a pirate, pumpkin, a disco diva, magician, or your favorite scary face.
It’s easy to design your own shirt, too. Take your own design or add your own text to any of the thousands of designs found in online libraries. Put your picture with “Trick or Treat” over it and you won’t have to say a word when you head out for candy.
Online and at fabric and sewing shops you’ll find easy patterns to make your own Halloween t-shirts. They are much easier than complicated costumes. It’s easy to iron or sew bits and pieces onto a simple t-shirt to create the perfect pirate, flapper, princess, wizard, or superhero.
Typically, you’ll find kids t-shirts for between $12-$15 dollars. Halloween t-shirts for adults are closer to $20.
In a time, when so much of our focus in on our troops fighting in Iraq, Halloween is a great time to show your support. Try a shirt with an American flag. And, for kids, there’s a new trend. Put your soldier’s picture on the shirt. Then, add “My mom/dad is fighting in Iraq. I deserve a treat.”
If you want to order the perfect t-shirt for Halloween, start shopping now. Go online and search for “Halloween t-shirts.” Once you select a site to go with, decide if you want to create your own or go with a pre-fabbed design. Pick a size and shirt style. Then, you can typically customize it with names and colors. You can see a proof of the shirt before you actually confirm your order. Expect it to take about two weeks to arrive. Then, all you need is a pumpkin for trick or treating!
Top 3 Methods for Getting Stains Out Of Your T-Shirt
Isn’t it the most frustrating thing ever when you are wearing a perfectly clean, nice T-shirt and all of a sudden you look down and there is a stain? What’s worse is if you missed a stain and it’s gone through the washer and dryer and emerged with a stain that simply can’t be missed and is now set-in. Knowing how to fight a variety of T-shirt stains with success will save you money and frustration. Below are the top 3 methods for getting stains out of your T-shirt.
The Dish Detergent Method
This is the best way to get out those pesky greasy stains that show up especially well on colors. They are often the result of cooking splatters or getting a drop of something on your tee. After the wash, it looks like it’s gone, but once the shirt is dry the grease has remained, as large as life. The solution is in using regular liquid dishwashing detergent that you would use for washing dishes by hand. Choose a brand that brags about its grease-fighting formula. Squirt it directly on the stain and let it soak it. You can even give it a little scrub with a soft toothbrush for more stubborn stains. Then wash the T-shirt again in the hottest water that is safe for it, and presto the grease stain will be gone.
The Bleach for Unbleachables Method
So often we can’t use regular bleach on annoying stains, because of the color of the T-shirt, the washing instructions or for fear of damaging a print or design. The trick to getting rid of stubborn stains is to soak the item overnight in bleach for unbleachables. This product is designed to deal with stains without damaging colors and fabric, and given the right amount of time, it will do so.
The Laundry Booster Method
There are a variety of things you can add to your laundry detergent to aid in getting stains out. Some things are commercially sold as such, like the oxygen-based cleansers, while others may be intended for different use. Products that remove iron from water are great laundry boosters for yellow stains. Another great tip is to add borax to your laundry to help remove pesky stains from T-shirts. This natural product is great at helping laundry detergents do their job better. Remember that it is very toxic to people and animals and should be treated as such.
If you have tried these top 3 methods for removing stains from T-shirts and nothing has worked, I highly recommend the I give up method. You simply decide to use your stained T-shirt for messy jobs around the house or some other purpose and get a new one. You can recreate any favorite T-shirt by ordering a custom-made one to replace the one that you have given up on.
Order your custom-made T-shirt today for the perfect solution to stubborn stains that just won’t come out.
How Can I Remove Grass Stains From My T-Shirt
Removing stains from T-shirts or any item of clothing can be challenging. Pesky stains can easily ruin your favorite clothing and unfortunately they happen so easily. Often times you are enjoying yourself or even just doing day to day things and look down to see a stain on your shirt. Luckily with a little work and some knowledge on your side, you can get just about any stain out of your T-shirts, even grass stains.
The particular challenge involved with getting grass stains out of any clothing is that typically these types of stains are ground in. It’s actually pretty hard to find grass stains that are not ground in. So no matter which pre-treatment you choose to use on your grass stain, be sure to work it in gently by rubbing it a little with a cloth or a soft toothbrush, so you get the entire stain.
Since grass is a protein-based stain, you will need to treat it with an enzyme-based pre-treatment and laundry detergent. Rub the pre-treatment into the stain and let it sit, so it can start to work. Once you put the tee in the washer with the detergent, let it agitate for a minute or so and then turn off the washer and let the T-shirt soak in the soapy water for a little while. When the shirt is finished washing, check carefully to make sure the stain is gone before putting it in the dryer, because the heat from it will set the stain.
If after this initial treatment you still have a grass stain on your T-shirt, there are other things you can do. By applying rubbing alcohol to the grass stain with a sponge, you should be able to lift much of the remaining stain out and then re-launder as usual. You can also use chlorine bleach or color-safe bleach on the stain to get it out, depending on the care instructions for your T-shirt. Remember the key to successfully removing grass stains or any stain is to get to them as soon as possible.
If you still have a grass stain after all this hard work, you might just want to throw in the towel and use your stained T-shirt for puttering around in the garden. If it’s one of those shirts you just love, you can have it recreated by ordered a custom-made T-shirt. By doing so, you can choose the color, style, design and text that you want for the absolute perfect tee. If you have frequent grass stain problems, you might even want to have a grass stain T-shirt made so you don’t have to worry about getting such stains out. You can have a fun line of text like one of the ones below added to a T-shirt to create such a useful shirt.
• Official grass stain shirt
• I got these stains playing soccer
• Don’t ask about the grass stains on my shirt
• I don’t do stain treatments
• Grass stains are cool
Get your custom-made grass stain T-shirt or replacement T-shirt now.
What Do The Size Numbers On A T-Shirt Mean?
“On one of my size small T-Shirts, it says 34-36. What does that mean?” This is a common T-shirt related question. When we are shopping for things and find different types of sizing methods, it can be very confusing. Suddenly, buying a simple small T-shirt has gone from a quick errand to a head-scratching puzzle. By understanding a little about how this particular sizing method works, you will be able to save yourself time and confusion.
There are a variety of different ways to size clothing and it often varies from place to place and manufacturer to manufacturer. The most common method of sizing is Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, Extra Extra Large and so on. It is usually further divided into adult sizes and youth sizes. For certain items of clothing, different sizing methods are even used for men and women. It is very useful on the occasions that you come across T-shirts with number sizes to know exactly what they mean.
The number sizing method is actually very simple. It is basically the measurement around the chest in inches of the typical person who would wear that size. A size small would fit a 34 to 36 inch chest. A medium fits 38 to 40 inches. Large fits 42 to 44 inches. Extra large fits 46 to 48 inches. Extra extra large fits 50 to 52 inch chests. A triple X T-shirt would fit someone whose chest measures 54 to 56 inches.
However, when you are choosing a T-shirt, remember that there is always a certain amount of shrinkage to consider. All tees should be expected to shrink about 3-5% in width. The average shrinkage for the length of a T-shirt is 8-12%. Therefore, you should definitely buy one size larger if you are on the higher end for the chest measurements for your size. If you are on the lower end of these measurements, you may be okay getting a tee in the size you are supposed to fit into. Another good piece of advice when shopping for T-shirts is to familiarize yourself with common brands and how they fit. With time you will learn which ones tend to run a little large or are more fitted than other brands. This will help you make the right choice in sizes.
The great thing about custom T-shirts is that there is rarely a sizing problem. Often when you go to a retail store and find a shirt that you just have to have, it is sold out in your size. You may need to check other stores and waste a lot of time tracking down that perfect tee. By having the perfect T-shirt custom-made, you can be sure that it is the perfect size, color, style, cut, quality and design for you. With the endless choices you have in custom-made T-shirts, you can wear the absolute perfect T-shirt everyday if you choose to.
Get your perfectly sized custom-made T-shirt today and see what a great fit really is.
How Can I Draw On A T-Shirt?
Drawing on a T-shirt is always a unique way to personalize it. It can turn a great shirt into a priceless souvenir. It can also simply dress up a T-shirt at the last minute, when you don’t have time to have it professionally printed. For the proud parent or grandparent, a child’s drawing on a T-shirt is the ultimate way to show off your little one’s talent and your pride. It can be done as art projects, contests and much more.
There are several different ways to draw on a T-shirt, each with differing results. The least expensive way would be to use permanent marker for your designs. Remember to put a couple of sheets of paper inside the shirt while you are drawing so the ink does not transfer to the back of the shirt. The drawing will fade a bit with time, but it should be more or less permanent. The downside is that it is usually obvious that your T-shirt drawing was an amateur job.
You can also use fabric paint pens to do T-shirt painting. This will give you a much more vivid, realistic image for your T-shirt. The image should not fade as much as a marker design, and will give the appearance of being a much more professional drawing. Simply follow the directions included with the marker and you will be on your way to a beautifully done T-shirt drawing.
Acrylic paints can also be used with amazing results. The trick is to be sure to wash and dry the T-shirt without using any fabric softener, prior to painting. After you have finished painting the T-shirt it is important to set the paint. This can be done using white vinegar or a commercially made craft product specifically for this use. Vinegar will not preserve the paint as long as the commercially made product, but it is still a very good option. It will take up to a year before you see fading with a vinegar-treated shirt.
The fourth and most professional way to draw on a T-shirt is to have a drawing you have made custom-printed on a T-shirt of your choice. If you or your child has done work that you are extremely proud of, a copy of it can be printed on a custom-made T-shirt. That’s the beauty of such tees. You not only choose the color and style, but you customize them in the way that suits you best, even with your own artwork or that of a loved one.
Painting on T-shirts is a great craft idea and lots of fun. You can even have T-shirts custom-made for special events leaving space for you to draw on your tee. You can have a T-shirt printed with a line like one of these.
• This is what I did in art class
• Product of art camp – Summer 2009
• Proud Mom of a Talented Artist
• This is my kid’s drawing. Isn’t it good!
Get your custom-made drawing T-shirt today and show that you are an art lover in all media and proud of it.
How To Organize Your T-Shirt Wardrobe
Organizing your T-shirt wardrobe is the easiest and quickest way to be able to put together a great look in no time flat. There are a variety of ways to efficiently organize your T-shirt collection and no one way is right or wrong. It is important however to organize them in a way that works for you to get maximum enjoyment and maximum wear from all your T-shirts. You simply need to choose the way that best fits your style and sense of organization and you’ll be on your way to simplifying the process of getting dressed time each day.
An obvious and very useful way to organize your T-shirts is to group them by color. By doing so you know exactly where to look for a particular T-shirt, and will be sure to find it quickly and easily. You can even organize them according to the range of colors, and have all pastels, darks, brights and whites each together in their own space.
You can also organize your T-shirt wardrobe in terms of the style of T-shirts you own. You may want to group T-shirts by whether they are dressy, everyday wear or old favorites. It will make it much easier when it comes to putting together an outfit for work, going shopping or if you’re just cleaning the house.
Some people swear by hanging T-shirts, while others prefer folding T-shirts and grouping them in piles. There are several things to remember when doing it either way. If you choose to hang T-shirts, be sure there is plenty of space in the closet or your shirts will wrinkle. If you have shirts that you wear very infrequently, like ones for specific holidays, you may want to take them out of the closet and store them folded. This will give you more closet space and prevent hanger bumps in the shoulders of your T-shirts.
If you prefer to fold T-shirts and store them flat in piles, it is important to do so neatly. If you carefully fold the T-shirts when they are fresh from the dryer or immediately after ironing, they will remain looking good. Another suggestion is to fold T-shirts following the same method retailers use. Lay the shirt face side down and fold sleeves inward from mid-shoulder. Then fold the shirt in half once. By doing it this way, you minimize wrinkling, make T-shirts easy to stack and the design on the front will be easily visible when you are searching through piles of shirts to find the right tee for your needs.
Organizing your T-shirt wardrobe seems like a lot of work, but it is really very simple and will save you a lot of time in the long run. By doing it this way, you will also be able to quickly see at a glance which color T-shirts you may need to buy and if you are running low on T-shirts for work or for everyday. You can even recreate old favorites by ordering custom-made T-shirts in any design you choose.
Is A T-Shirt Business Casual?
Ever since business casual became an accepted standard of dress in the workplace, employees have had endless questions about what actually constitutes business casual. In reality, the guidelines are different for each company. Generally speaking, business suits are much too formal to fit the style. Exercise clothes, short shorts, ripped jeans and tank tops are much too casual to be business casual. Apart from those rather extreme guidelines, everything else is based on interpretation.
For many businesses, business casual is very structured. It means that you wear dress pants, skirts, polo shirts, button down shirts and sweaters. Jeans, sneakers and flip-flops are a no-no. T-shirts are fine if they are under something or have nothing printed on them. Many of these businesses are helping employees avoid the expense of traditional business wear, but still want to maintain a very professional, serious tone at work. They may even allow clean, well-maintained jeans and T-shirts on casual Fridays. Some businesses like this will occasionally do a charity fundraiser, by charging their employees a small fee to partake in jeans and T-shirt days.
For many other businesses, T-shirts are perfectly fine for business casual wear, as long as they are clean and in good repair. Most businesses however, will enforce common sense rules about what can be printed on a T-shirt. Text on a business casual T-shirt should never be offensive, rude, contain bad language, be sexually explicit, be political or promote a competitor of the business you work for. There are very few workplaces where you can actually wear anything you choose.
So, in short, a T-shirt can be considered business casual, depending on the T-shirt and depending on what the company’s policies are. If you absolutely want to wear a T-shirt that does not meet your company’s guideline, layering is always a good solution. Put your favorite tee under another T-shirt, button down shirt or sweater for a neat layered look. You’ll have the satisfaction of wearing the shirt of your choice, without getting in trouble for it.
Custom-made T-shirts can be the solution to your problems if you find that your T-shirts are not suitable for business casual. Thanks to custom printing you can have a T-shirt made in the color, design and style you want, saying whatever you want it to say. You can still make a statement, have a unique look, but follow the business casual guidelines of your office with a custom-made T-shirt.
If your company is on the more relaxed spectrum of business casual or you know that you have a casual Friday coming up, you can have some fun with a customized T-shirt. You can have a line like one of these printed on a tee:
• This IS business casual
• I love business casual
• Business casual rocks
• Peace, Love, Business Casual
• I’ll take business casual any day
• Business casual works
• Casual Friday rocks
Get your T-shirt wardrobe up to par for business casual with brand new custom-made tees just for work!