These motifs (including starfish, more correctly known as sea stars) are charming on kids' beachwear, and the process is easy enough for small helpers. Transforming thin cotton fabric into a sarong is a breeze, and the tone-on-tone combination is subtle and sophisticated.

Printed Fabrics How-To 
You can use this technique on clothing such as shirts, and sarongs. Print with rubber forms or beach finds (such as shells). Remember to mix paints to find a shade that suits the fabric. 

1. Cover your work surface with a few layers of old towels (for shells and sea stars) or with paper (for forms). 

2. Brush fabric paint onto part or all of 1 object using a sponge brush. 

3. Print shells and sea stars: Lay fabric flat; press object as if it were a rubber stamp. (Towels allow for some give, yielding a detailed impression.) [See image 2 above.]

Print forms: Lay fabric on form; press with fingers. Remove fabric. 

Let set according to paint manufacturers instructions. 

Tips: Test on scrap fabric. For a sarong, cut fabric to size (ours was 44 by 66 inches). Finish with a rolled hem: Turn edge over, and secure with tiny stitches. Wash objects with warm water and dishwashing liquid after printing.