Today I am making a baby gift for a friend and thought I would share the DIY instructions so you can create one for your favorite little one.  I love to paint baby clothes with original designs…this particular one is not difficult to create and can be accomplished quite easily no matter what your skill level.  This particular design creates a garment that is also very appropriate as an Easter gift.  I am breaking it down into simple steps that can be fit into your day between other activities.

Start out by purchasing your desired baby garment in an appropriate size for your recipient.  If the gift is for a baby that has not yet arrived, I recommend not getting the 0-3 month size.  Newborns vary in size and you don’t want to risk it being too small.  Always better to go bigger rather than smaller!   I prefer 100% cotton items for babies and I check the label to be sure I am purchasing an all-cotton item.  Wash and dry the garment to be sure any shrinking is done before you paint your design.  Paint also adheres better to a washed garment.

While your garment is in the dryer, you can make your stencil and assemble your materials. For the first part of the project, you will need the paint color you decide to use for the lollipop…pick a pastel pink, blue, or yellow.  I mixed my color, but you can purchase or use craft paint in the exact color you desire.  You will also need a stencil brush and a stencil.  No need for a fancy stencil.  I used a piece of cardstock…you can use a piece of a gift box, cereal box, or any miscellaneous cardboard that is ready for the recycling bin.  After you locate a piece, simply cut out a 2 1/2” circle.

Insert a piece of cardboard between the front and back of the garment to protect the back side of the garment in case the paint bleeds through.

Hold the stencil firmly in place and paint the color you have chosen using an up and down motion with the stencil brush…using an up and down motion will prevent paint from seeping under the edges of the stencil.

Let the paint dry thoroughly.

Iron the painted area, keeping the cardboard inserted and putting a clean rag over the design first to protect your iron.  This step will set the paint.

Now you will need a cotton swab, clear glitter paint, dimensional paint in a color close to the one you used for your circle, a dimensional paint in an off-white or beige for the stick of the lollipop, and a scrap of 3/8” ribbon – I like a polka dot ribbon, but any ribbon in a coordinating color will do (just make sure it is colorfast).

Next, use a cotton swab (one of my favorite ‘go-to’ utensils) to put glitter onto your painted circle.

Then, use a dimensional paint to add a spiral to your painted circle, starting from the middle of the spiral and painting free hand to the outside of the circle.  Then, paint the stick of the lollipop.  You may also decide to personalize the gift with the baby’s name.  If you decide to do this, wait until all the other paint is dry to reduce the risk of smudging it.

Let this dry overnight before sewing on a ribbon embellishment.  Be aware that small items can be potential choking items for small children.  I brush a little clear nail polish on the edges of the ribbon to prevent fraying.

I have used this same design idea to embellish a canvas tote bag, using three lollipops (pink, blue, and yellow) side by side and personalizing with the baby’s name.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on creating an adorable painted garment for your next baby gift.  Have fun with it!

I will be sharing this week at Craftberry Bush, The Shabby Nest, Craftionary, A Pinch of Joy, and Crafts a la Mode.

Thanks so much for visiting!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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