Tulip Beads in a Bottle Fabric Scrap T Shirt and Fab Giveaway!

If you are following today's Designer Connection hop, featuring Tulip Beads in a Bottle, you have probably been enjoying seeing some outrageously clever projects using this amazing product.

i Love to Create has released a brand new product- Tulip beads in a Bottle!
30 designers were chosen, and asked to create something to help inspire you!
In turn, Tulip is hosting a FABULOUS giveaway on their blog!

Beads in a Bottle is a self-rounding fabric paint that you can use to create beads on a fabric surface. It is extremely easy to use and the results will amaze you. Just think of all the bling you can add to your fabric creations for a fraction of the cost of hard embellishments! To see a really quick video of Beads in a Bottle being used click here.

Since I am seriously into embellishing summer t shirts right now, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do with my bottles of bling when they arrived in the colors above. For starters, I used Tulip's One Step Color Die kit in Turquise to color a white t-shirt. I thought this would be the perfect backdrop for my fabric squares embellished with beads in a bottle. Tulip® One-Step Dyes™ come in an easy applicator bottle so all you have to do is add cold water!

Once I had my t shirt dyed, I went to work deciding on fabric scraps from my vast array of fabrics leftover from large projects. Do you hoard fabrics you love? This is a great project for you and can be used on a decorative pillow, table runner, fabric cuff or other fun fabric surface.

Using a 3" sqaure made from a cardstock square, go to work cutting out various fabric patterns marking with a disappearing fabric marker on the wrong side of the fabric. I used a 3" sqaure so I could gave 1/4 seam allowances on all sides which ultimately will make my sqaures approx 2."

Once you begin cutting your sqaures, use a steam iron to turn edges over 1/4" all all four sides. Then begin to pin your sqaures to the t-shirt, spacing evenly across the front of the t shirt.

For a fun mixed media look, use a machine, straight stitch and black constrasting thread to sew the squares in place.

To sew four rows of four squares in place on the t-shirt, it will take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, so dont be alarmed at how long it takes you. The good news is- once you have your squares in place- the REAL fun begins!

I used wool felt die cuts, fused in place with fusible webbing and stamped applied to fabric with staz on or pigment ink, just remember to use your iron to heat set the ink to the fabric. Notice how some of my sqaures ended up being a little crooked, or as we say in the South, "caddy wombess." If this is a look you would rather avoid, use Aleenes Fabric Fusion to temporarily hold the sqaures in place instead of straight pins. Fabric Fusion is the only clear, water-based, urethane adhesive that is also nontoxic, machine-washable and dry cleanable. It’s the perfect choice for a wide variety of surfaces and embellishments. Fabric Fusion® does not string while you apply it to fabric.

For the hard embellishments I added to the shirt, I find that Aleene's Liquid Fusion works remarkably well. I usally hard wash embellish t's of this nature but never have had an embellish pop off during washing or wearing.

I glued things such as vintage buttons since I thought they would coordinate beautifully with my Beads in a Bottle.

Once you have little themes for each fabric square, set to work using your Beads in a Bottle.

To add soft embellishments to the t shirt, like this vintage photo I printed on inkjet fabric, use Fabric fusion, and machine stitch the edges.

I call this t shirt "so me" because I really thrive on colorful, busy, details.

So now for the details of how you can win fantastic package of goodies from I love to Create.

Along with this fantastic new product, Tulip is including other fun fabric embellishment goodies such as their fabric sprays and tie dye kits - go directly to their blog page and see the details on how to enter to win this super fun package of products. Good luck- remember to keep on hopping by using the Designetr Connection blog hop link on the sidebar of my blog to see more eye popping creations!