Step 3 -- stretch the canvas very tightly onto the frame and staple into place. The easiest way to do this is to staple the longest side in the middle, then have someone to hold the frame in place while you pull the opposite side tightly and staple in the middle. Repeat top-to-bottom. Then work side-to-side, top-to-bottom, stapling outward from the center as you pull the screen tightly. Try not to allow any "bubbles" to form in the screen. This is tricky -- take your time! Stop when you get near the corners (see photo, above) to allow room to fold and staple the corners.

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Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 1 -- Assemble your materials. You need:

* a design for your shirt
* silk screen (available at art stores, although I've heard of people using sheer curtains from the dollar store in a pinch)
* a canvas stretcher big enough to cover your shirt (any wooden frame will do)
* screen filler (also available at art stores. You can also use thick housepaint, in a pinch.)
* a pencil (to draw your design onto the screen)
* masking tape (waterproof, if you can get it)
* staple gun
* scissors
* staples

Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 2 -- Cut the silk screen about 2" larger than your stretcher.

Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 3 -- stretch the canvas very tightly onto the frame and staple into place. The easiest way to do this is to staple the longest side in the middle, then have someone to hold the frame in place while you pull the opposite side tightly and staple in the middle. Repeat top-to-bottom. Then work side-to-side, top-to-bottom, stapling outward from the center as you pull the screen tightly. Try not to allow any "bubbles" to form in the screen. This is tricky -- take your time! Stop when you get near the corners (see photo, above) to allow room to fold and staple the corners.

Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 4 -- folding the corners, part 1.
Start by pulling the middle of the corner flap diagonally, away from the stretcher, then wrap inward, diagonally, and staple.

Thanks, Robert, for modeling for this photo!

Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 5 -- folding the corners, part II
Now, pull the excess fabric on either side of the corner up and staple. This is the same technique used for canvas, as well. (See next photo for a better view.)

Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 6 -- a nice, flat corner. :)

Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 7 -- Now, do the rest of the corners, working diagonally. For instance, if you start with the lower left corner, you need to stretch and staple the upper right corner, next.

Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 8 -- Tape the inside edges of the screen. Make sure the tape covers both the screen and the wood frame. (You might have to trim excess silk away from the frame before doing this. Just don't cut it all the way to your staples.)

Rebecca Burch (mamallama) > Step 9 -- Cover the outside of the screen edges with tape. You should cover up all the wood on the outside of the screen, plus about 1/4" of the screen within the wood frame. This prevents any ink from squishing out the sides of your screen and ruining your design.

Step 3 -- stretch the canvas very tightly onto the frame and staple into place. The easiest way to do this is to staple the longest side in the middle, then have someone to hold the frame in place while you pull the opposite side tightly and staple in the middle. Repeat top-to-bottom. Then work side-to-side, top-to-bottom, stapling outward from the center as you pull the screen tightly. Try not to allow any "bubbles" to form in the screen. This is tricky -- take your time! Stop when you get near the corners (see photo, above) to allow room to fold and staple the corners.