How to Make Your Own Tie Dye T-Shirt
Tie dying clothing can be a lot of fun. Below are instructions for tie dying T-shirts with a spiral design.
You can tie dye T-shirts, skirts, dresses, pants, socks, cloth fabric purses, sheets, curtains and anything else you can think of. The instructions below are written with a T-shirt in mind.
Courtesy of Flicker commons: psd
Your Supplies
- An old bucket or other container with a capacity of between 3 to 5 gallons. It is best to use a container you don’t mind getting stained.
- Rubber gloves to keep from staining your hands
- Long handled utensil or BBQ fork or tongs will do fine
- Plastic squirt bottle for applying dye
- Salt
- Plastic garbage bag to protect work area
- News paper
- Powder cleanser for cleaning spilled dye
- Paper towels or rags for quick clean up
- Baking soda
The kind of dye you decide to use will depend on which of the above items you will need. Read the directions on the dye box and follow them very carefully.
Method
- Have your design already in mind before you begin.
- Cover your work area with plastic garbage bags and then cover the plastic with newspapers for best protection.
- lay your garment as flat as possible before you begin.
- Wear rubber gloves and prepare your dye exactly as directed by the manufacturer.
Remember to follow dying directions carefully. If the proper method is not taken it could result in bleeding, running, or fading of colours. The clothing you decide to dye should be washed before you begin whether the garment is old or new. Using cotton material will give best results.
Instructions for a Spiral Design
- Lay the garment flat and pinch up a bit of material between your thumb and finger where you want the center of the spiral to begin. Begin twisting the garment starting with the material you pinched up. Keep twisting until the garment is completely twisted up and it looks like a fat circle. Tuck in any loose ends.
- Now take 3 or 4 rubber bands. Put the first rubber band around the circle of shirt from one side to the other so it crosses the center. Take the remaining bands and do the same thing, crossing the bands over each other in the center of the circle. When you are finished the garment should look like a pie cut into wedges.
- Use the squeeze bottles to apply dye to each of the pie shaped areas. Apply the same colour dye to the top triangle as you do to the bottom adjoining triangle.
- Read the dye instructions for how to treat your finished garment.
- Add a half cup of salt or a half cup of vinegar to a cold water wash for the first three or four washings unless otherwise directed by the dye manufacturer.
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18 Comments
Glynis Smy, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
I remember making such a mess in my mums kitchen in the 70’s doing tie dye! I think I will use your method it is well organised and easy to read
IcyCucky, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
This will be such a fun project to do!
Gerlaine, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
I am going to save this one on the computer and tye dye next weekend with my son. Thanks for the Inspiration. ~G
Lauren Axelrod, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
I used to do this at Girl Scout camp. Ah, such memories.
valli, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
I will try this.
Anne Lyken-Garner, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
I did this a long time ago, and it was fun. This article reminded me of how great it was.
nobert soloria bermosa, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
we used to dye old pants and shirts years ago, i’d love to try them again,thanks Darlene
Alexa Gates, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
I think i might try this!
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
I remember tie-dying from the 60’s. It was fun and you can come up with some way-out designs. Interesting article.
By the way Darlene, its good to see you back.
Darlene McFarlane, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
Balzac, if your wife decides to try tye die I hope you submit a picture for us.
Glynis, I worried if I was being clear when writing the directions out. I rewrote many parts many times. Thanks for a positive response.
Icy, you will have to let me know if you take on the project.
Gerlaine, I hope you and your son have a lot of fun with it.
Lauren, thank you for stopping by and for your comment.
Anne, something I saw in a magazine brought back the memories for me too. Memories can be fun.
nobert, that sounds like a great idea. It gives me a great idea for a new casual wardrobe for next summer.
Alexa, I would like to see your finished product.
Ruby, yes you can end up with some interesting pieces and thank you, it’s good to be back.
Thank you everyone for your positive response and if anyone who decides to put the instructions into action I am sure we would all love to see your finished work.
Darlene
ne-ne, posted this comment on Sep 5th, 2008
thats cool and seems fun to do but i have never tie-dyed before but looking forward to bye
ashley, posted this comment on Sep 5th, 2008
thats tight i want to do that again well i did it wants for my dance calls and we had so much fun but i made a big mess and all the other girls didnt make a mess i looked like a big baby an all the girls was laughing at me even i was lauging but it was fun doing it and i would like to do it again bye
avery, posted this comment on Sep 5th, 2008
hi iam avery and what i think about the shirt is that it looks like a rainbow and its very cool to wear but to bad for me ive never tie-dyed before and i would like to someday and thats what i think about the shirt so tahts what i have to say right now bye
eddiego65, posted this comment on Sep 8th, 2008
Must try this.
tina, posted this comment on Oct 15th, 2008
i love your idea of making tie dye t-shirt, it helps me a lot. Thank You!!!
Martha Stewart, posted this comment on Oct 22nd, 2008
This actually works!!
JJ, posted this comment on Apr 3rd, 2009
I wish i could tye dye!!!!!!!
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Balzac, posted this comment on Aug 24th, 2008
My wife is going to like this information. Thank you.