After watching Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Concert movie on streaming, I officially became a Swiftie. One scene that stuck with me was Taylor wearing her iconic "A Lot Going On at the Moment" shirt that she wore during her song "22". Inspired by that moment, I decided to recreate the look myself.
This is the outfit that she wore while singing her song "22" from the Red album/era. At every concert, she gives away her "22" hat, and my little one loves to reenact this scene as either Taylor Swift or the one receiving the hat.
Variations of the Iconic "22" Shirt
Throughout her Eras Tour, Taylor Swift delighted fans with a series of custom-designed shirts during her "22" performances. Each shirt featured a unique phrase, often with bold red lettering, adding a personal touch to her set. Notable examples include:
- "A Lot Going On at the Moment" – A minimalist design that resonated with many fans.
- "We Are Never Getting Back Together. Like Ever." – A nod to her hit song, with "Never" and "Ever" highlighted in red.
- "Who's Taylor Swift Anyway? Ew." – A playful reference to her earlier work, with "Ew" in striking red.
These shirts not only showcased Taylor's creative flair but also sparked a wave of inspiration among fans to recreate their own versions.
In this post, I'll walk you through the process of making your own glitter HTV (heat transfer vinyl) version of the shirt, perfect for showcasing your Swiftie spirit at concerts, casual outings, or as a unique gift for fellow fans.
What You Need / Materials
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- xTool M1 Laser and Blade Cutting Machine
- LightGrip Cutting Mat
- White T-shirt or Sweatshirt
- Glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) in the following colors:
- Weeding Tool
- Steam Iron or Heat Press
DIY 22 Shirt with Glitter HTV
Design and Layout on Your Vinyl Cutting Software
First of all, I decided to use Jersey M54 because I thought it was closest to the font on Taylor's shirt. I opened my software, the xTool Creative Space, and typed out the words.
Feel free to download my SVG and xTool (XCS) files if you would like.
When cutting Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV Vinyl), you want to make sure you reverse the design because you are cutting on the side that's going to be sticking onto your shirt.
Let the Vinyl Cutter Do the Work!
Once it's set and ready to go, press the button on your xTool M1 and let the blade do its thing!
I used the blue (LightGrip Adhesive) cutting mat that came with the xTool M1. Make sure that the shiny side of the vinyl is facing DOWN. The clear piece is going to help you transfer your letters afterward.
Weed Out the Vinyl
This is my favorite part. Grab your weeding tool and pick off all the pieces that do not belong. Don't accidentally weed out your design!
I like to separate the design first so that it's easier to just pull off the excess later on. Once the outsides are done, you can weed out the interiors of the letters like the "O's" and the "A's" in the design.
We won't be keeping the excess vinyl scraps since we can't do anything with them, so you can just throw them away.
Positioning Your Vinyl
I cut them down to size so that they're in strips of words. This helped me save the amount of vinyl to not throw out all the negative space between the lines. It's not the best practice since some of the lines could be crooked afterward, but I decided to take the risk.
Position your vinyl design onto your project (i.e., your T-shirt or sweatshirt, whichever you decide). Make sure it's straight and aligned.
The clear plastic that remained on the vinyl after weeding out the excess is sticky and will help the vinyl stay in place and not slide around.
Pressing Your Design
This is where the fun begins!
I covered it with a sheet of fabric first (because you never know what would happen with plastic touching a hot surface) and then pressed down using a regular iron. Make sure you do this evenly throughout the design.
Once you're done, wait for it to cool and gently peel the edges of the clear plastic off. You will see that the vinyl has successfully adhered to the shirt. If any edges are coming up, you may need to adjust your settings with more pressure, heat, and/or time.
Once you've peeled off the clear transfer plastic, cover the design with some kraft paper, Teflon sheet, or another piece of fabric and repress it so it melts a little better to the garment just to secure it!
Once completed, you'll have your final product, ready to wear and hopefully hold up to many washings with regular care!
Watch the Behind-the-Scenes Crochet Vlog
How to Style Your DIY "22" Shirt
- Classic "22" Look: Pair it with high-waist shorts and a fedora hat, just like Taylor wire in her music video.
- High-Low Combo: Pair your oversized shirt/sweatshirt with fitted leggings or skinny jeans to balance comfort with shape.
- Concert Ready: Tuck it into a sparkly or sequin skirt for a glam, stage-worthy outfit.
- Layered Style: Wear it under a denim or leather jacket for a casual yet cool vibe.
- Whimsical Twist: Layer a tulle or flowy dress for a fun, girly feel.
- Bold Accessories: Add red lipstick, heart-shaped sunglasses, and glittery earrings to channel full Eras Tour energy.
- Laid-Back Swiftie: Keep it simple with jeans and sneakers for a comfy everyday look that still shows your fandom.
- At-Home Loungewear: Keep it comfy by pairing your 22 shirt/sweatshirt with joggers, fuzzy socks, and a messy bun. Perfect for streaming the Eras Tour movie on repeat from your couch.
Why I Made This
Determined to recreate this look, I bought glitter heat transfer vinyl (HTV) and other materials for over a year before I finally found the time and energy to make my own DIY 22 shirt.
I originally planned to DIY an oversized short-sleeve tee just like Taylor's... but I'm forever cold (I'm affectionately nicknamed the "ice cube" in my family!), so it made more sense to go cozy and create a sweatshirt version instead.
I'm honestly so glad I did, because it's stylish and snug, perfect for everyday wear. Since Taylor likely wore a sequin-covered version in her concert, I picked glitter HTV to mimic that sparkle, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. It really shines!
Even more fun? My little one has already asked for a mini T-shirt version of her own. How cute is that? Crafting this inspired-by-Taylor project has turned into a sweet, shared family moment.
I even made a classic wide-brim crochet fedora to complete my look! Because, why not add one more Taylor-inspired flair? It's been a joy to create something cozy, sparkly, and totally ME. I hope that you'll join me in recreating this iconic Taylor-inspired look and add some sparkle to your wardrobe.
You Might Also Like...
- Classic Wide-Brim Crochet Fedora Hat Pattern: A beginner-friendly, structured fedora to complete your Taylor Swift 22 look.
- DIY Princess Eras Tour Sweatshirt: A Disney and Taylor Swift mash-up craft by creating a custom iron-on sweatshirt in one easy tutorial.
- DIY Giant Friendship Bracelet Garland (Crochet Version): Oversized, beginner-friendly crochet garland, a nostalgic and colorful decor!
Share Your Creation with Me!
Did you make this project? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.
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This is an original craft tutorial written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this craft tutorial as your own. If you wish to share this craft tutorial, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the craft tutorial.
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