Amy Brandon from Wisconsin explains how you can paint a shirt, and other items, using leaves. You can not only make colorful clothing, but also fun autumn decorations.

• Age Guideline: 3 Years and Up
• Time Required: 30+ minutes (Does not include drying time)

The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.

Materials Needed:

• Leaves
• Fabric Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Plain T-Shirt or Other Fabric Item

Instructions:
Amy explains how her 3-year-old daughter not only made a leaf print t-shirt but also a matching scarf, both pictured here. Amy suggests searching for a variety of leaf shapes and using a variety of fabric paint colors; but you can certainly use your own imagination and preferences to make this project.

Start out by laying your t-shirt on a clean, flat surface. Make sure that you have a piece of cardboard or thick paper between the front and back side of the shirt so the paint does not bleed through. Using the paint brush, paint a thin coat of fabric paint onto one side of a leaf. You can paint the leaf with a single color, mix colors, or even try painting designs.

When you have your leaf painted how you want it, flip it over and press it onto the t-shirt. Repeat this process until you have the t-shirt designed however you like it. Let the paint dry completely, and then flip the shirt over and paint the back of the shirt in the same manner.