I’m back with another Plain Tee! You’ve made the sequin heart shirt, right? Good. Today we’re talking trompe l’oeil. I, of course, had to Google it to figure out how to spell it. According to Wikipedia trompe l’oeil is “an art technique involving realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects exist in three dimensions.”
Exactly. So now I can wear a necklace without really wearing one. Which is good since I never remember accessories anyway.
And I’m not gonna lie – I straight up stole this idea from J.Crew kids. Why should my five-year-old have all the fun? Crewcuts is always good for dressing inspiration for Caroline (cough, me).
Trompe l’oeil necklace DIY T-Shirt
What you’ll need:
- Plain Tee
- Fabric paint
- Fine tip paint brush
- A tiny piece of ribbon
- 2 buttons
- Needle and thread
I recommend roughly sketching out your necklace before starting the with paint. Get a rough outline of how long you want the necklace, where the strands should cross, etc. Mine was freehanded and probably could have used a bit more room between the necklace strands.
Once you have an outline, put cardboard between the shirt layers and go for it! You can’t really mess this up. Any imperfections just look like part of the design.
After you paint on the necklace and pockets give the shirt plenty of time to dry. Sew on the pocket buttons, and you’ll fool your hubby with your cool faux pockets.
Add a tiny bow to the necklace where the strands cross each other. You can glue it on but it’s probably easier to sew it. The bow nicely covers the cross point and gives it a nice 3 dimensional look. And you’re done!
How does it hold up in the wash you ask? I turned the shirt inside out, washed on cold, and had no problems. In fact, I wore this shirt yesterday for a little crafternoon with the girls. We mixed up a drink that we dubbed the Crafternoon Delight (aka a margarita) and went to town on some totes. Good times.
Amie'lie says
Hello ! magnifique idée, bonne soirée
Anne @ Domesblissity says
I love that stitch detail on the pockets Steph. (No wonder you fell down the stairs drinking all those margueritas! LOL) Are you blonde again? I can’t keep up with you girl! You look beautiful.
Anne xx
gerbermom says
Haha, I wish I could blame the margaritas! I swear I have a phobia about falling down the stairs – I knew it would happen eventually 🙂 Not blonde again (yet) these pics are just a few weeks old.
Caroline Fay says
This really is nice! I love it. Very creative. Thanks for posting such a great idea.
gerbermom says
So glad you like it! And my daughter is named Caroline – love that name! 🙂
Stephanie says
So cute! I cannot believe you freehanded that… it looks great! I love how the edges are little blurred. Such a fun tee!
Susanna says
Good for you sis! I am amazed at how well you lined up the pockets–I’d make a total lop-sided mess I’m sure, so I’m very impressed 🙂
gerbermom says
Aren’t those pockets cute? Mark totally thought they were real 🙂
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Yet another geniously (I think I made up a word) simple idea Stephanie! I just need to find some tshirts that suit me. The usual neck just looks awful on me sadly.
gerbermom says
Which usual neckline? I don’t look good in scoop necks either – somehow it makes the chest look weird. Boatnecks are my fave!
Nell says
This is so super cute!!!! I am definitely going to try this.
gerbermom says
Awesome Nell! (love your name – that was grandmother’s name too) Let me know how it turns out!
Silvergirl says
I actually own a shirt from Loft that is very similar to this
I will have to dig out from the back of my closet, it is a couple of years old
Brett
gerbermom says
Really? Maybe J.Crew ripped off the Loft! I’ll be looking for it in an outfit post 🙂
Erica says
Oh, I just love this. I especially like the bow detail. Do they make a metallic fabric paint? That could be so cool too!
gerbermom says
Yes! They have all kinds of fabric paint, including glitter, which is pretty awesome. But metallic would be cool!
jennifer says
Much prettier then I would have pulled off!
gerbermom says
What are you talking about?! You have all kinds of design talent!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I love that your inspiration for this was a kids shirt–ha! I often find myself coveting things in the kids section at clothing stores and it makes me worry about myself. 🙂 This turned out perfect–and so easy too!
gerbermom says
I know, I kinda wish I could outfit myself from the Target kids section. They have the cutest stuff! No wonder Caroline has way too many clothes….
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
You are so talented!
truebluemeandyou says
Really cute and clever! But one of the best parts of your post for me? You told us all how it washed!!!!! So many bloggers forget that we actually want to wash and wear what we make LOL!
gerbermom says
So true! And most of the time you end up having to dry clean and who can afford that?!
Alyssa says
You are so creative–this came out great!
Vanisha @ Vanisha's Life in...Australia says
You’ve done such a great job! So the design ends at the shoulder? I’m pretty sure I’d make a mess out of this but I’m still keen to give it a go!
gerbermom says
Yeah, on mine it ends at the shoulder but you could go all the way around if you want. The good thing about this is you can’t really make a mess of it!