(Part 2) Top products from r/bleachshirts

Sure.

First, to give credit where it's due, the stencil's were not my originals, they can be found with a google image search. Thanks to MaliceMurder at deviantart for the figure stencil. I don't know the source on the text stencil, but thank to you too, whoever you are. I made a few changes to the stencils and then used PosteRazor to scale it up and print on multiple pages. PosteRazor is a really useful utility that's mentioned in one of the tutorials here on /r/bleachshirts. It breaks up an image into multiple pages that can be printed out and attached. It's great for large stencils.

I used Reynolds Freezer Paper for the templates. This stuff provides a really good bond to the shirt. It's not the same as wax paper. Freezer paper has one side with wax on it and just paper on the other side. Wax paper has wax on both sides, ironing wax paper will also melt the wax on the top and will stick to the iron, often pulling the stencil back up. I just wanted to emphasize that as it caused me some problems as I was learning the process.

The first layer was an outline of the entire stencil, with no inner details at all. Basically, just an Alice shaped hole in the freezer paper. I used a 50/50 bleach/water mix and sprayed from about 8 inches up in a fine mist to try and keep it even. I let it get to a middle level of color and then rinsed, washed and dried the shirt.

The second layer was all the lighter parts, the inner part of the dress, her skin, the knife and the buckles on the boots. Her mouth, pockets, and necklace were floaters, the necklace didn't have to be, but was easier to get in place as a separate piece. When lining up the second stencil I used the top of the dress at her neck and the sides of her arms to get it in place. Those were the parts that exactly overlapped the edges of the first layer. I cut the section with the buckles away and attached that piece separately. Last, I put in the floaters by hand and ironed those down. I bleached the second layer in the same way as the first, but then I used a hair dryer to heat it up some as it was bleaching and increase the reaction. Once it was as light as I wanted I rinsed, washed and dried it again.

The back text section was last. I used a single layer stencil on that with the same procedure as above. For the text (and some of the curves in the first two stencils) I mostly used a swivel knife. The blade moves in the head of the knife and is really useful for curved lines. It takes a little getting used to, but it flows better around curves than a normal x-acto.

I think that's about it. Hope it helps.

Oh sweet, that's a great substitute! This seems like a pretty good deal.

You can get an iron for around $10. Freezer Paper is around $8. Your shirts will come out much better using the proper tools. Good luck!

X-acto swivel knife for circles and the like:
http://www.amazon.com/X-ACTO-X3253-Designer-Series-Swivel/dp/B001KZH27I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342356227&sr=8-2&keywords=x+acto+swivel

X-acto swivel knife refills:
http://www.amazon.com/X-ACTO-X253-Designer-Series-Replacement/dp/B001KZH27S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342356227&sr=8-1&keywords=x+acto+swivel

X-acto straight blade with refills:
http://www.amazon.com/Xacto-X3311-Precision-Knife-Blades/dp/B0000DD1N4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1342356200&sr=8-5&keywords=x+acto

Those are the blades I started with, and they work great for me.

I think this image might help with visualising it The accordian fold technique is on the top left.

With the bucket water I dip the shirts into I think it's about 10% bleach. In the spray bottle I think it's between 40%-60% bleach. However, since I've already presoaked the fabirc very briefly in diluted water I've gotten away with spraying straight up bleach onto the shirts with no detrimental effect.

I also have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/American-Crafts-Zap-Embossing-Heat/dp/B002TM68OE

It's awesome to be able to control the effect of the bleach without having to wait around for it to to it's business for ages.

I use a X-acto #4 stencil knife. I like it because its smaller and has a nice clean turn radius.
Amazon

yeah that's definitely what I use now though I know it's hard for some people to find. Especially good for thin lines!

edit: I get mine from here now

• Make sure you're using a pump spray bottle, not a trigger type one. That helps some.
  
  
• It's very possible you're spraying from too close. This could lead to some areas way oversprayed, and others undersprayed.
  
  
• You may just have high expectations based off the highest posts in this sub. One of the coolest things about bleached shirts is the sort of swirly, random-ish type pattern it gives them. They will almost never be entirely uniform.

Maybe this? Seems super convenient that you could just print your image right on it and you're ready to go without tracing, but more expensive than a roll of freezer paper, and smaller.

I've had some success with using plastic dividers like this glued down. Can't iron them but can be reused.

Im using : This (Europe) Or This(America). It works really well for me.

I bought the shirt from Amazon:
Gildan Adult 5.6 oz 50/50 Short Sleeve T-Shirt in Navy - X-Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014BZYSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_r-uIwbJZV4XP4

i used Elmers brand paint markers like these. I got mine at walmart. they sell medium and fine point and there are several color packs. I use the regular Tulip Soft Fabric Paint for most of the stencil stuff though. I just wasn't quite good enough to paint the detailed lines for the GOT shirt with a paintbrush.

This one.

http://www.amazon.com/Clorox-Bleach-Pen-Gel-56/dp/B00027C8N8

I just use wax paper and repositionable adhesive like this.

This is what I use. It will last a while if you are only doing one here and there...

here ya go