DIY Project: Wifey + Hubs Sweatshirts

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays.  It’s a day when you can be unabashedly sweet, and lovey dovey and to publicly share your pride in your significant other.  I love all of the heart-shaped items, the red and pink, eating chocolate and writing love letters.  I look forward to spending time with my hubs whether it be at the spa, or cooking dinner together at home. But Valentine’s Day activities can get pretty costly, so if you’re looking for something budget-friendly to do with your love, we have the perfect idea!

Why not spend some time crafting with your significant other?  These wifey and hubs sweaters are just the cutest way to match without being too “matchy.”  To top it all off, they are super easy to do and cost very little to make.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• A plain sweatshirt (one for each of you)
• Freezer paper
• A printer
• An exacto knife
• An iron
• Q-Tips (or a small paint brush)
• Fabric Paint

Steps:
#1  Use your computer to design the text in the font you like.
#2  Cut the freezer paper to a letter-sized sheet (8.5 x 11 inches).
#3. Print your design onto the dull side of the freezer paper.
#4. Using your exacto knife, cut the out your design.  Be sure to cut only the image since you are creating a stencil.  Don’t forget to out the “holes” in the “f”, “e” “y” etc. 

TIP: to protect your working surface, use a cutting mat while using the exacto knife.  You can substitute a cutting mat with any thick piece of cardboard.

#5  Place your stencil on your sweatshirt (shiny side down).  Again, don’t forget to place the “holes” of your letters.  Play around with it to ensure that you get your perfect height and angle.

#6  Using an iron on medium-high heat, iron your stencil on your sweatshirt.  I would hold the iron down in one place for 20 seconds and then lift and place down on another area for another 20 seconds.  Ensure that all of the edges are securely stuck on your sweatshirt.  This will ensure nice, clean edges.

#7  Let your stencil cool.

#8  Using your Q-tips (or paint brush) paint the inside of your stencil.  I put on 3 coats, waiting a couple minutes between each coat to let the paint settle a little bit.

#9  Let the paint dry per the fabric paint’s specifications.  I let it dry overnight to ensure there were no wet spots at all.

#10 Once dry, carefully peel back your stencil

TIP:  If you’re super careful about removing your stencil, it can be re-used another few times.

FINAL STEP: Repeat for your honey’s sweater.

Et voila:  the perfect matching sweaters to show your pride in your marriage!  

This project is also perfect to make tops for your bridesmaids (perhaps for a coordinated bachelorette party look).  But don’t limit yourself to just sweatshirts!  This project is easily adaptable to tank tops, canvas tote bags, and even hats!  The sky’s the limit.  We’d love to see your finished products!  Post your amazing creations online and be sure to hashtag shesaidoui!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of the beautiful brides and grooms-to-be, and of course to the wifeys and hubs’ out there!