Boys Bleach Tie Tee W/ Faux Collar

Bleach tees are super fun to make and the possibilities are endless.  I made this one by using a tie freezer paper stencil and adding a faux-collar (from one of my old button-down shirts from back in my working days).  After the pic, I'll get into the tute for how to make your own for your little man.

What You'll Need:
Tee shirt (I used a plain black long-sleeved tee)
Spray Bottle
Clorox Bleach
Water
Freezer Paper
Tie Template (I printed at 50% scale)
Collar from an old women's button down (optional)

First, use the tie template you printed and place it beneath your freezer paper.  Trace the tie and cut.  Then using a hot iron (no steam) iron the freezer paper onto your shirt (shiny side goes down).

Prepare a solution of 50/50 bleach/water in a spray bottle.  Test the spray in the sink.  I prefer a nice gentle spray to a stream.  Adjust bottle nozzle as needed to get a nice spray.  Place something inside your shirt (I use a cutting board) and wrap shirt around it to protect areas you don't want to get bleach on.  Spray with the bleach solution and quickly dab the tie part with paper towels so the bleach doesn't soak through the freezer paper.

It will immediately start to lighten.  Allow to sit until it's lightened as desired, checking every few minutes.  I let mine sit about 5 minutes or so.  Carefully peel off the freezer paper and immediately wash and dry.

Now, we'll add the collar.  I carefully cut the collar and sleeves of a too small button down of mine.  Originally, I intended to do sleeves to but opted not to in the end (as you can see in below pic).

Sew on with a 1/8 inch seam.  Then trim collar excess.  I serged mine and let the serger do the cutting. :)  Then topstitch near the bottom of the excess so collar interior lays nicely.

Flip the collar down and you're all done.  Time to try it on the little man and coax him to stand still for a few pics!