Wearing positive affirmations isn’t just a style choice—it’s a way to carry inspiration and confidence with you throughout the day. In this DIY project, we’ll explore three fun and easy ways to create your own affirmation shirt using minimal supplies. Whether you're crafting solo or with friends, this is a meaningful activity that results in a keepsake you can proudly wear. Perfect for art days, creative inspiration, or simply a reminder of your inner strength!

Supplies Needed

The best part? You only need three things to get started!

• A shirt or sweatshirt – I found mine at the thrift store (one gray, one white, and a lightweight sweatshirt for colder days).
• Fabric markers – I picked up mine from the art store. Choose colors that match your vibe!
• A cardboard shirt form – This provides a solid surface to write on. If you don’t have one, use anything flat that fits inside your shirt or sweater.

That’s it! Three simple supplies for a fun, heartwarming, and creative activity.

3 Fun Affirmation Shirt Designs

1. The Sunburst Design ☀️

A super cute way to display affirmations is by designing a sunburst pattern! Here’s how:

1. Start with a large circle in the center of your shirt. This is your sun.
2. Write “I am…” in the middle.
3. Create long, thin sun rays radiating outward from the center.
4. Along each sunray, write different affirmations such as:
   • I am creative
   • I am strong
   • I am enough
   • I am loved
5. Use different colors for the sun rays to make your design pop!\

Tips for This Design:

1. Use a round object (like a tape roll) to create a perfect circle.

2. Plan your colors ahead of time by laying your markers out in the order you want to use them.

3. Use a ruler if you want your affirmations to be written in a straight line.

This design works beautifully on any color shirt, as the bright sun contrasts with the fabric.

2. The Freehand Word Cloud ☁️

If you love a free-flowing, artistic approach, this method is for you!

1. Write a large affirmation in the center of your shirt, such as:
   • “Believe in Yourself”
   • “You are Capable”
   • “Trust the Process”
2. Around the main phrase, scatter smaller affirmations in different directions and sizes.
3. Use different fonts or handwriting styles for a fun and dynamic look.
4. Add small doodles or icons (hearts, stars, flowers, etc.) to bring everything together.

Tips for This Design:

1. I liked creating different shaped thought bubbles to make it look visually fun! You can try this too!
2. Make sure to stretch the fabric in all directions so its a little more easier to write.
3. Do the backside of the shirt as well, fully fun all the way around. 

This design works great on a gray or neutral shirt to give it an artsy, street-style vibe.

3. The Sleeve & Cuff Motivation 💪

Sometimes, subtle affirmations can be just as powerful. Try this design for a lightweight sweatshirt:

1. Choose one word or short phrase and write it along the cuffs or sleeves, such as:
   • Strength
   • Dream Big
   • Keep Going
2. Use small, neat handwriting or cursive to create a stylish look.
3. For extra flair, outline the letters with a second color.
4. If you want more, add a simple phrase on the upper back or neckline for an extra hidden message!

Tips for This Design:

1. Try on the sweater first before writing, just to make sure you know where you want your letters placed. 
2. Depending on what color you choose might influence the fabric marker colors you use. (for example, I had a blue sweatshirts, so I ended up using a black fabric marker to make sure it stood out.)
3. Sometimes, simple is better. Don't feel like you have to cover the entire surface. 

This minimalist design is perfect for layering in colder weather and keeping affirmations close.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own affirmation shirt is a fun, inspiring activity that results in a wearable confidence boost. Whether you go for the bold sunburst design, the expressive word cloud, or the subtle sleeve motivation, your shirt will be unique to you!

Want an extra option? If you love how my versions turned out but don’t have time to make your own, I’ll be recreating these designs in Photoshop and adding them to my store! Feel free to check them out if you want a ready-made version to add to your wardrobe.

I’d love to see your creations! Tag me on social media or share in the comments—what affirmations did you choose for your shirt?