the bluecotton blog

What is your shirt’s story? Have you ever wondered about where your t-shirt comes from or where your shirt was made? Then check out Anvil’s site trackmyt.com. This site allows you to type in the lot number that is found on the back of the tag and explore the journey your shirt takes from the farm to your hands. You can track your own shirt or choose a random shirt. You will see the whole process from the farm to the yarn spinner then the textile mill, cut and sew, the distribution center and then finally to you. Videos and pictures at each stop personalize the process and go into further detail. Along the way you will learn about who some of the cotton farmers are and about Eli Whitney- who invented the cotton gin in 1792. From the cotton gin you are transported to Central America where the yarn spinning and cut and sew operations take place. From there you are introduced to Bob who manages a 16 acre distribution building back in South Carolina. Finally the shirt back to you.http://trackmyt.com/

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So, ladies, have you ever owned an awesomely rad t-shirt that you only wished was more flattering to your figure? Well, Becky Stern over at Make:Projects can show you how to modify a formless, boxy t-shirt into something a little more sexy. Check out the video below.

For a more detailed, step-by-step guide to this project, check out the full article: T-Shirt Mod: Boxy to Foxy.

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Ben Heck’s “Portal”-Inspired T-Shirt

Geek idol and modding god, Ben Heck, created his own high-tech t-shirt inspired by the popular video game “Portal” by Valve Software. The project utilizes a small LCD display, a miniature security camera, and a battery pack to create a t-shirt that creates the illusion of having a see-through ‘portal’ on your torso. Check out episode 4 of “The Ben Heck Show” for a full step-by-step breakdown of how he made the shirt.

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Many of our customers use t-shirts as a fundraiser for their school club or charity event. Some of our customers are entrepreneurs launching their own custom t-shirt line. With you in mind, I’d like to offer some tips on reaching your target audience and maximize your opportunity for sales. The Cadbury Creme Egg has been a staple of spring confections since the 70s, and has some unique qualities that I believe can help you move more merchandise.

1. Timing is everything. The Cadbury Creme Egg is the #1 selling confection…but only between New Years Day and Easter. Make sure your t-shirts are available when people are most receptive to buying them. Strike while the egg’s hot, as it were.

2. Be unique. Sure, there are a lot of other eggs out there, but the Cadbury Creme Egg’s unique form factor makes it a standout. It’s not just another chocolate egg, it has a fondant filling and even a yolk! Surprise your supporters with a super-sweet design. Make your t-shirt more than “just another t-shirt.” Make it a classic…a must-have…a superstar.

3. The Creme Egg is unshareable. Just a like a t-shirt, the Cadbury Creme Egg is a solo adventure. Everyone wants their own and they’re virtually impossible to break in half and share. This works for you. Make sure you order youth and extended sizes so that no sale is lost due to lack of sizes available.

4. Location, location, location. The Cadbury Creme Egg is prominently displayed in the impulse-buy area of the markets. Make sure your shirts are equally accessible and visible to your target audience at every opportunity.

5. Be an irresistible indulgence. Just like the Cadbury Creme Egg’s limited availability during the spring, you can market your product as a limited edition. Encourage customers to purchase your fundraiser t-shirt now so they don’t miss out on the hot shirt of the season.

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Shands Greenlee, Customer Experience Manager

Last Saturday night my wife and I went to see The Reneaus play at The Wayland’s house. The Reneaus have some new material and were ready to break it out for other folks. I didn’t have any expectations. Why would I? They’re local. The lower my expectations, the less I’m disappointed. And, I don’t like being disappointed. (Full disclosure: I work with and for one of the band members – Warren Guyer.) Going to the show was a chance for me and my wife to get out of the house and hang out with some friends. Seeing a band play was mostly just an excuse to hang out. Well, I wasn’t disappointed. Quite the opposite, in fact! I was hooked from the moment the first chord was played. My wife commented that the lead vocalist, Ashley Winn Cooper reminded her of Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star. They sounded great. I liked it. But what I liked most was seeing Warren play in a band with his daughter, Layne. I’m a father, and I dream about all the cool things I will get to do with my 22 month old son when he grows up. I look forward to taking him surfing and riding waves together and playing golf with him. After Saturday, I realized playing in a band with your child has to be way better than that.

Check out The Reneaus “One Foot”

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Augmented Reality (AR) is a fascinating technology that, put simply, alters your perception of the real-world with computer-generated images and sounds. If that doesn’t clearly explain the concept, don’t worry. AR is something better understood through demonstration. If you own a smartphone–such an iPhone–you can experience augmented reality through a variety of apps. For example, Yelp, an app that provides reviews of local restaurants and other businesses, features an AR mode using the iPhone camera. When activated, it uses your GPS and compass data to overlay the location of restaurants and other business on the camera image (see right).

Pretty neat, huh? Now AR technology is making it’s way to t-shirts in a variety of applications. The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) recently did a campaign in Russia featuring AR-enabled t-shirts that simulated the wearing getting shot. Why? To raise awareness of needless poaching of wild tigers. Check the video about the campaign:

Click here for more Augmented Reality T-Shirts…

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