Being in a local sorority I've learned how to make my own lettered tee shirts because it's so much cheaper than ordering a custom lettered tee shirt. I've has so many girls in my sorority ask me to teach them so I though I'd share my wisdom with every sorority girl out there.
1. Get Materials
You are going to need to go on a shopping trip to Joann's and Walmart. First go to Joann's and purchase the material you want to use for your letters, it's also optional if you want a background to your letters. You're also going to need Wonder Under, this is the adhesive you will use to put your letters onto your tee shirt. Then go to Walmart to get a tee shirt in the guys section. You can get a tee shirt for around $4-$5, make sure to get a shirt that doesn't have a pocket on it. You will also need scissors, pens, lettered stencils, iron & board, needle & thread, puffy paint (optional), or sewing machine (optional).
You should already have scissors, pens, and maybe your mom or grandma has needles and thread you could use. If you don't have these items it will put you over $10.
Your materials depend on what method you are going to use to make your lettered shirts, today I will talk about two methods.
2. Making the shirt
Once you have everything, use your greek lettered stencils and trace on the material for your letters and wonder under (can print stencils off of google). Cut everything out and iron your letters onto the wonder under. Peel the back off the wonder under that was already ironed onto the letters. Place letters three inches down from the collar of the shirt. Make sure the letters are even across the shirt (ruler optional but recommended). Once you have the letters where you want them iron them onto the tee shirt.
For any lettered shirt you have to seal the letters onto the shirt to keep the letters on the shirt permanently. People think just because you used adhesive and ironed on the letters to the shirt that it will stay. IT WILL NOT STAY.
3. Sewing method
The cheapest way is to hand sew. There are many different kinds of stitching you can do. Hand sewing takes FOREVER but it still looks good. I personally hand sew most of the time. If you have a sewing machine use it because it will save you so much time.
4. Puffy paint
Puffy paint is a wonderful thing. All you do is take the puffy paint and very carefully outline the letters on the shirt. I personally think sewing looks nicer but puffy paint also saves you a lot of time. Let the puffy paint dry overnight. To keep your letters looking nice, wash your shirt inside out in cold water.
Hope this article helps you in the future when making cheap lettered shirts!
