On one of the forums I frequent, there was a discussion about using a QR Code as a forum avatar. And I thought "Damn, I should put a qr code that links to my website on a t-shirt".

The Code

First things first, get a QR Code that links to http://www.jezra.net
Simple enough. Now I just need to transfer this to a t-shirt.

The Stencil

The code is a grid of 21 squares by 21 squares. So I grabbed some butcher paper from Petaluma Market and drew a 21x21 grid on the paper. The grid spacing is half an inch per square. I really should have used the metric system.

Why butcher paper? one side of the butcher paper is lightly waxed and after cutting the stencil I will iron the stencil onto a t-shirt. This will give me nice crisp lines.

Is that a Dungeons & Dragons map?

The code is black on white, but since I was putting the code on a black shirt, I needed to mark the negative spaces that would need to be removed.

After a couple of screw ups, I think I have everything mapped out.

Laying It Out

With my trusty left-handed scissors, I cut out all of the pieces and arranged the pieces on the t-shirt in preparation for the iron.

White Fabric Paint

After using an iron to affix the paper to the t-shirt, I began slopping on fabric paint to create the white pattern of the QR Code.

Amazingly, all of the fabric paint went where I wanted it to go. That is to say, I didn't spill any paint or make a mess.

Showing It Off

1. Let the paint dry
2. Peel off the butcher paper
3. Use a hot iron to fix the paint to the fabric
4. Find a sexy model to show off the shirt

When I told my buddy about this project, he said "just have Kinko's print the image of the code onto transferable paper", to which I replied "no, this way will be more interesting". Yea, well this way was a pain. I probably should have listened to my buddy.

While I'm reminiscing, I might as well add that if I were to do it all over again, I would definitely use a t-shirt that actually fits me. Why the hell was there a plain black medium t-shirt at my place?

Now quit reading, and go listen to your buddy. Oh yea, now I need to find out if it works...