A Dual Purpose Thanksgiving Project (For Beginners)

Bleached “Thankful” shirts to showcase your love of the season PLUS a decorative use for your stencil when you’re done.

If you want to create a fun Turkey Day shirt AND wow your guests with the best rustic place setting, then this DIY is for you. We'll make a bleached “Thankful” shirt to showcase your love of the season PLUS show a decorative use for your stencil when you’re done. As a bonus, we'll add a DIY napkin ring to wrap up this cute little set.

You will need:

5.2 mm plywood

Pre-washed t-shirt

Bleach

Spray Bottle

Cardboard shirt form or poster board cut to fit inside of your shirt

Gather your materials and set your workspace. 

I used leftover plywood and a black t-shirt.

Set up your workspace in a well-ventilated area and away from anywhere that bleach overspray might ruin the carpet or furniture. I typically work in the sunroom with the windows open.

To prepare your workspace, insert cardboard or poster board inside of the shirt. This prevents bleach from running through to the back of the shirt

Set up your file

*I use LB, so your settings may be different.

Select font – this is Signature Monoline

Ensure that your text is welded together and measures approximately 12” x 5”. To weld text, select the text and go to TOOLS, WELD. This creates a solid piece instead of individual letters.

Cut your stencil.

I am using 5.2 mm plywood from a local hardware store. My settings are 5mm per and 100% power with two passes. Cutting the stencil should take between 12 and 15 minutes, depending on what word you use. Alternatives text for Thanksgiving include: Blessed, Family, Memories, and Tradition.

Tip - The font I used was too thin to use as-is. I created an offset then deleted the inside to make this thick enough to cut well.

Position stencil and spray.

Position your stencil between three and 6 inches from the bottom of the T-shirt. Make sure that it is centered. Make sure that your spray bottle is set to mist and lightly spray from the top around your stencil. Do not over saturate, but do make sure to get into the “nooks and crannies” of the letters.

Let dry.

Let your shirt dry for approximately two hours before moving.

(BONUS) Repurpose your stencil

Allow your stencil to dry completely. You now have a classic and beautiful decoration for your Thanksgiving plates. Pair this with a rustic napkin ring, and you have a photo-worthy the table setting that you can use your after year. Napkin Ring instructions posted in Inspiration!