Do-It-Yourself Canada Day Outfits

A Family Outing

If your whole family is headed out for the day, perhaps to the parade and fireworks, consider wearing matching Canada Flag t-shirts. A painted hand is used to make the maple leaf. This is a project everyone can get involved with and is especially cute if you have young children. You can keep these shirts as keepsakes so that your kids can see how much they’ve grown at next year’s Canada day celebrations!

Supplies:

• White t-shirts or tank tops
• Something flat and sturdy like a piece of cardboard from a cereal box
• Red acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Duct or painters tape (optional)
• Ruler (optional)
• Clean hands

Directions:

Working on a flat surface, take a shirt and place the piece of cardboard between the front and back sides of the shirt. This will prevent the paint from seeping through to the other side of the fabric and will provide a steady surface to paint on. Paint two even rectangles to be the sides of the flag. If you don’t have steady hands, use a ruler to you a sketch out a straight line and use tape to mark the lines. To create the flag, first make sure your (or your family member’s) hand is clean and completely dry. Then use the paint brush to apply a thick coat of paint to the hand, and place it evenly and firmly on the shirt between the two red stripes. Let the paint dry for at least a few hours and preferably overnight.

Backyard Get-Together

If you’re hanging out with friends in a backyard having a barbecue, this easy to put together top is a great choice, and shows off your love of nature.

Supplies:

• White t-shirts or tank tops
• Something flat and sturdy like a piece of cardboard from a cereal box
• Red acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Leaf or leaves from a maple tree

Directions:

As with the flag t-shirt, work on a flat surface, take a shirt and place the piece of cardboard between the front and back sides of the shirt. Take the maple leaf and carefully paint a thin layer of paint on one side going slowly so as not to tear the leaf. Slowly but firmly place the leaf on the t-shirt. Carefully peel away. If there is enough paint, go ahead and place the leaf down again. If not just re-paint the leaf and repeat. Place as many leaf imprints ad you feel like on the shirt until you feel it’s finished. Let the paint dry for at least a few hours and preferably overnight before wearing.

Ladies in the City

Heading out with a group of girlfriends to a Canada Day party in the city? Turn heads with cute Canada themed skirts. If you’re a group of 6 consider spelling out CANADA. If there are just two of you, why not spell EH, or think up words that are uniquely Canadian that fit the size of your group. Pair it with a red top and you’ll be good to go. You can also choose to dress it up with an optional fascinator a la Kate Middleton and patriotic red and white nails.

Supplies:

• White skirt (preferably A-line)
• Red acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Letter stencils

Directions:

Lay the stencil near the bottom of the skirt. Using the paintbrush, follow the stencil and apply a coat of paint evenly. Let dry for an hour before painting on another coat. If you want to add a touch of sparkle to your outfit, sprinkle on some glitter while the paint is still wet.

If you want to go the extra mile, consider making your own fascinator. All you really need is a headband, a hot-glue gun, scissors and some art supplies of your own choosing; think feathers, lace, fake flowers etc. The possibilities are endless!