Eyeball T-shirts

These charming T-shirts are perfect for kids.
The Martha Stewart Show, May 2009

Tools and Materials
Old white T-shirt
Pencil
Fabric paint in assorted colors
Paintbrushes
Scissors
Measuring tape
Colored T-shirt
Pins
Sewing machine threaded with coordinating thread


Eyeball T-shirts How-To
1. Cut a white T-shirt into 3-by-5-inch pieces. Draw an eye shape, and circles within the eye shapes, onto each piece with a pencil.

2. Paint circles blue, green, or brown; let dry. Paint pupils with black paint. Accent by painting a white dot onto the pupil for shine, and red streaks onto whites of eyes to make them look bloodshot; let dry.

3. Trim around the eyes, leaving 1/4 inch all around for seam allowance. Turn a colored T-shirt inside out and pin eyes into place, face down. Use 5 to 6 eyes on the front and 1 on the center back. Sew around each eye.

4. Turn shirt right-side out. Cut a small hole in only the top layer of the center of the eye area. Trim fabric inside the stitches to reveal the eye, leaving a small amount for eyelid.

Resources
Special thanks to Regina Lord for demonstrating this craft; for more information on Regina, visit creativekismet.com. Martha used T-shirts from American Apparel. All additional tools and materials are available at most crafts stores.

Reviews (7)

  • jillb5511
    19 Feb, 2013

    I made them for my great-nieces and nephews, adding fringe to the upper "lid" of the eyeballs for the girls. They are adorable and the kids (aged 3-8) just LOVED them.

  • oaxaquena
    28 Aug, 2009

    Thanks for sharing your ideas, I think you are wonderfull

  • mamaoftwo
    27 Aug, 2009

    I can't wait to make them for my kids and there friends

  • NicoleDesign
    4 Jun, 2009

    Does it matter what fabric paint you use? I plan on making these with all my nieces and nephews at the family reunion next week. Should make for a cute family photo...probably the only one with all of our eyes open! ;)

  • fishgirl
    1 Jun, 2009

    Working on my 5th one. Also making them on adult ladies tank tops to wear to the gym.

  • emmkay
    1 Jun, 2009

    I think this is a great idea :)

  • anniequinn
    25 May, 2009

    what a cool idea! I will certainly do this with the kids over the summer holidays.