Hand Painted Garments! (2022)
Hand-painted anything comes with its fair share of challenges and rewards—but hand-painted clothing? That’s a whole different kind of special.
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. I had a sketchbook full of clothes I imagined designing and selling one day! That love never left. These days, I enjoy heading to Miracle Hill and finding a $4 shirt or sweatshirt to transform into a canvas.
Most of the time, I begin with a clear idea or plan of what I want to paint. I start by sketching in my sketchbook—this helps me brainstorm, test colors, and even cut out shapes from paper to play with composition. Once I’ve got the vision down, I prep the fabric.
First, I prime the painting area using Gesso mixed with GAC 900. GAC 900 is a game changer—it thins the acrylic paint and turns it into a fabric-friendly medium. After applying this primer, I heat-set it by ironing the area to help it bind to the fabric.
Then comes the fun part—painting. Sometimes I sketch directly on the fabric or use paper cutouts for layout reference. I paint in sections, letting each dry before ironing again to set the paint. One thing I’ve learned: try not to layer the paint too heavily. Too many layers can cause cracking or washout, which sadly happened with my Sankofa sweatshirt (talk about heartbreak! LOL).
As I paint, I make sure to mix in GAC 900 thoroughly. The bottle gives ratio guidelines, but I tend to add a little extra—just in case.
Once the design is finished and fully dry, I spray it with a clear sealant. I usually apply two coats and let it air dry completely. When it’s time to clean the garment, handwashing in cold water with a small amount of detergent works best. I gently agitate the painted areas with my fingers to check for cracking or peeling.
If I have a clear concept and can stay consistent, it usually takes me about 2–3 days to finish a piece.
In the end, despite how time-consuming the process can be, I love creating hand-painted garments. There’s something truly joyful and original about wearing your own artwork.
