crafty people ? - fabric paint

[pinkly]

I think I’m looking for something that doesn’t exist. The rules for the soccer league we are in state there can be no duplicate jersey numbers. A number of “guest” players are allowed so duplicate numbers likely.

The rules actually state if you cannot find a jersey with a different number, to use washable fabric paint (not tape).

Any web/Amazon searches I do seem to interpret the word “washable” as opposite what I think they meant. Clearly we can’t permanently alter a player’s jersey, so it needs to wash off.

Anyone know if this product exists? Especially for use on fabric?

Thanks.

[statgirl]

I would be tempted to use kids washable tempura paint or chalk.

Maybe Jaquard removable water-based resist as a barrier? I don’t have enough experience with it to be definitive.

Whatever I did, I would try on an old jersey first and alter to whatever number is easiest (aka, make 42 into 142 or something like that).

[al dente]

Tbh I'd use tape. How serious is this soccer league? Lol.

I'm not crafty, just experience with kids crafts, but even washable tempura paint can be an issue getting out. And I feel like it would flake off? Could you paint tape? Lol.

[pinkly]

Oct 23, 2023 23:52:19 GMT -5 al dente said:

Tbh I'd use tape. How serious is this soccer league? Lol.

I'm not crafty, just experience with kids crafts, but even washable tempura paint can be an issue getting out. And I feel like it would flake off? Could you paint tape? Lol.

I don’t know about how serious but they literally will not let them play if it’s taped. So dumb.

I don’t think painted tape would work. I’m guessing the worry there is it falling off. But if the paint can flake…

[pinkly]

Oct 23, 2023 23:14:25 GMT -5 statgirl said:

I would be tempted to use kids washable tempura paint or chalk.

Maybe Jaquard removable water-based resist as a barrier? I don’t have enough experience with it to be definitive.

Whatever I did, I would try on an old jersey first and alter to whatever number is easiest (aka, make 42 into 142 or something like that).

Not a clue what you mean by barrier (lol), but I’ll look into this. Thanks!

[mala]

If you're not playing in the rain, straight up the crayola washable markers. Won't work if you're trying to do white on a dark color though. Tempera paint thinned a bit is an option. Have they banned other methods beyond tape? Because cutting out a felt number and temporarily sewing or pinning it on with safety pins would work too. (I'd lean towards sewing it on with long stitches so you don't have pins on the players). Whatever you do, do it so badly that the people making the rules realize that tape really is the better option. (Malicious compliance FTW)

[mala]

Oct 24, 2023 5:03:48 GMT -5 pinkly said:

Oct 23, 2023 23:14:25 GMT -5 statgirl said:

I would be tempted to use kids washable tempura paint or chalk.

Maybe Jaquard removable water-based resist as a barrier? I don’t have enough experience with it to be definitive.

Whatever I did, I would try on an old jersey first and alter to whatever number is easiest (aka, make 42 into 142 or something like that).

Not a clue what you mean by barrier (lol), but I’ll look into this. Thanks!

I think they mean using the resist to protect the fabric and then using regular fabric paint over top. Resist will wash out and hopefully take the paint with it.

Actually a paste made with flour could work as "paint". Still wouldn't work in the rain though. I'd color with tempera paint if you need to, DO NOT COLOR IT WITH FOOD COLORING. Food coloring will stain.

This rule is stupid, BTW.

[pinkly]

mala - I completely agree this is stupid. We’ve been taping jerseys for the last decade. New league this year.

[ssmjlm]

I think it's time for a new soccer league made up of people who have a logical though process.

[isabel]

So much wtf about this whole thing. It is very normal for players on opposite teams to have the same number. How absurd.

(I have no helpful comments.)

[VillainV]

Oct 24, 2023 6:46:53 GMT -5 isabel said:

So much wtf about this whole thing. It is very normal for players on opposite teams to have the same number. How absurd.

(I have no helpful comments.)

I think they’re talking about players on the same team having the same number. For example, if someone from another team comes to play on my team for the day (maybe because we need extra players), and they are number 7 but we already have a number 7, then we would have two players with the same number, which could be confusing.

I have never heard of not using tape though. It would be super easy to use a piece of masking tape to turn 7 into 17 and avoid having duplicate numbers.

Maybe spray chalk would work? It looks like it would wash out of clothing. Wouldn’t work in the rain though.

[jinkies]

Is the whole league new? Or you are just new to the league? If you are just new to the league I would ask around to other teams or parents of kids who have played in the league a while for suggestions. No need to reinvent the wheel here.

[tealblue]

Not similar but an option- we use badge (or patch)magic for scout patches.

I don’t know if someone would have extra numbers pre cut from fabric and then you could adhere them to the jersey with badge magic or even double sided tape. For the badge magic, it’s a really secure double sided tape. You can use a blow dryer for extra stickiness but would probably work without. To take the numbers off, you put glue gone on the back and it peels off.

It would be a lot of work but maybe a good option especially for dark jerseys where you can’t just paint pen.



I have fabric paint pens and fabric markers but both say permanent, so it would be easy but not fantastic since they won’t wash off like you need.

[cmeon]

That is a crazy (the "paint" thing) rule (I'm actually interested in hearing if it's ever been implemented, LOL)- I bet most teams just have some extra jerseys on hand for this situation.

No tape is normal- it changes the placement of the number (so it's not standard and centered).

[wanderingback]

No help with the craft, but can’t your team just get a few extra jerseys? Just get them all large so they should fit anyone and then call it a day. That seems much easier then anything with crafts.

[Poppy]

I agree with asking around (other teams or even the league itself) or with just buying some extra jerseys.

But I also bet that craft store acrylic paint would work. It can wash off of nonporous surfaces so hopefully also fabric. But nothing washable would work in the rain...

[Poppy]

Oct 24, 2023 8:15:12 GMT -5 cmeon said:

No tape is normal- it changes the placement of the number (so it's not standard and centered).

But wouldn't paint have the same issue??

[mccallister84]

Just from my experience with toddlers/preschoolers and crafts I would not trust anything to actually be fully washable.

[cmeon]

Oct 24, 2023 10:08:22 GMT -5 Poppy said:

Oct 24, 2023 8:15:12 GMT -5 cmeon said:

No tape is normal- it changes the placement of the number (so it's not standard and centered).

But wouldn't paint have the same issue??

Tape falls off and becomes a hazard, so that's likely the greater issue. I am truly not sure WTF they are imagining with the paint- maybe something like an 8 from a 3, that doesn't change positioning? It doesn't make any sense. Arylic paint is definitely not safe though, it won't adhere in a very pretty or durable way to polyester, but it will not wash out cleanly.

Usually when guest jerseys are required, numbers are assigned so that this likely doesn't come up much in well run areas.

[pinkly]

Oct 24, 2023 6:11:16 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

I think it's time for a new soccer league made up of people who have a logical though process.

Well it is much if the team’s last year (seniors), and I don’t know that the remaining girls will be on a team back in this particular league.

[pinkly]

Oct 24, 2023 6:56:08 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Oct 24, 2023 6:46:53 GMT -5 isabel said:

So much wtf about this whole thing. It is very normal for players on opposite teams to have the same number. How absurd.

(I have no helpful comments.)

I think they’re talking about players on the same team having the same number. For example, if someone from another team comes to play on my team for the day (maybe because we need extra players), and they are number 7 but we already have a number 7, then we would have two players with the same number, which could be confusing.

I have never heard of not using tape though. It would be super easy to use a piece of masking tape to turn 7 into 17 and avoid having duplicate numbers.

Maybe spray chalk would work? It looks like it would wash out of clothing. Wouldn’t work in the rain though.

You would be correct!

I will look up the chalk. And watch the weather. Lol

[pinkly]

Oct 24, 2023 7:37:38 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Is the whole league new? Or you are just new to the league? If you are just new to the league I would ask around to other teams or parents of kids who have played in the league a while for suggestions. No need to reinvent the wheel here.

There is only one other team from our club in this league. They don’t know either! And we have no connections to any of the other teams. They aren’t even really local to us.

And we are just new, the league has been around. Haven’t heard back from their people. Need something for this weekend.

[pinkly]

Oct 24, 2023 8:15:12 GMT -5 cmeon said:

That is a crazy (the "paint" thing) rule (I'm actually interested in hearing if it's ever been implemented, LOL)- I bet most teams just have some extra jerseys on hand for this situation.

No tape is normal- it changes the placement of the number (so it's not standard and centered).

If I find out, I’ll update! But no, we don’t have extra jerseys at hand, unfortunately.

[pinkly]

Oct 24, 2023 8:42:23 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

No help with the craft, but can’t your team just get a few extra jerseys? Just get them all large so they should fit anyone and then call it a day. That seems much easier then anything with crafts.

No time for that! Even if we had known, I’m not sure who would have taken on that expense, if I’m honest.

[pinkly]

Oct 24, 2023 7:37:49 GMT -5 tealblue said:

Not similar but an option- we use badge (or patch)magic for scout patches.

I don’t know if someone would have extra numbers pre cut from fabric and then you could adhere them to the jersey with badge magic or even double sided tape. For the badge magic, it’s a really secure double sided tape. You can use a blow dryer for extra stickiness but would probably work without. To take the numbers off, you put glue gone on the back and it peels off.

It would be a lot of work but maybe a good option especially for dark jerseys where you can’t just paint pen.



I have fabric paint pens and fabric markers but both say permanent, so it would be easy but not fantastic since they won’t wash off like you need.

Thanks for this suggestion!

[pinkly]

Oct 24, 2023 10:50:58 GMT -5 cmeon said:

Oct 24, 2023 10:08:22 GMT -5 Poppy said:

But wouldn't paint have the same issue??

Tape falls off and becomes a hazard, so that's likely the greater issue. I am truly not sure WTF they are imagining with the paint- maybe something like an 8 from a 3, that doesn't change positioning? It doesn't make any sense. Arylic paint is definitely not safe though, it won't adhere in a very pretty or durable way to polyester, but it will not wash out cleanly.

Usually when guest jerseys are required, numbers are assigned so that this likely doesn't come up much in well run areas.

“Well run” - hit the nail on the head

[pinkly]

Sorry for all the quoting! I don’t know how to do it all in one post.

But I’m actually thrilled to see most are as perplexed by this whole situation as I am.

[tacokick]

They do sell fabric markers that you’d use to draw or trace patterns on fabric for embroidery or punch needle but I don’t think they’d work well on the fabric they make jerseys out of.

You would look for “wash out” markers not “washable”.

[wanderingback]

Oct 24, 2023 13:59:58 GMT -5 pinkly said:

Oct 24, 2023 8:42:23 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

No help with the craft, but can’t your team just get a few extra jerseys? Just get them all large so they should fit anyone and then call it a day. That seems much easier then anything with crafts.

No time for that! Even if we had known, I’m not sure who would have taken on that expense, if I’m honest.

I didn’t realize this was something needed asap, thought it was just needed for the league long term! I personally would have no problem chipping in a few extra dollars for a couple extra jerseys. If this is going to be an ongoing problem might need to come up with a good long term solution for the league if they won’t change the rules. I hope the paint you find works!

[sonrisa]

Oct 24, 2023 8:15:12 GMT -5 cmeon said:

No tape is normal- it changes the placement of the number (so it's not standard and centered). 

FFS it's kids soccer. They can deal with a little asymmetry. It's insane how seriously some kids sports teams take themselves. I wonder what we (as a society) are teaching kids by investing so much time, money, energy and hassle into something so trivial.

Can you print out a number on a white paper background and just pin it on (as if they were competing in a running race)?