How to Tie Dye a Costume Shirt

Tie-dye shirts are perfect for a hippie costume.

If you are creating a hippie costume for a dress-up party or need a tie-dye shirt for a dance or theater production, you will need to assemble a few basic supplies before you start. Tie-dying is a satisfying craft that even young children enjoy, and good results are easy to achieve. If you need costumes for a whole group, get together with friends to make your shirts -- that way you can share the vats of dye and spread the cost.

Things You'll Need

• Newspapers
• 100 percent cotton shirt or T-shirt
• String or rubber bands
• Marbles or beads
• Fabric dye, such as Rit
• Rubber gloves
• Plastic bowl

Instructions

1. Cover your work surfaces with lots of newspaper, and wear old clothes to prevent damage from splashing.

2. Wash the shirt, and leave damp. Tie the shirt with string or rubber bands according to the design you choose. Roll the shirt into a long sausage shape, and tie bands of string around it to create stripes.

3. Create a sunburst effect by securing a marble with a rubber band, then adding several more rubber bands at intervals from the marble. Make circles by tying marbles or beads into the shirt with rubber bands.

4. Put on the rubber gloves. Prepare the dye in the plastic bowl according to the instructions on the package.

5. Place the tied shirt in the dye for 15 to 20 minutes, or as instructed on the package. For a deeper color, leave the garment in for longer.

6. Remove from the dye, and rinse as instructed in cold water until the water runs clear.

7. Untie or cut the strings and rubber bands carefully to reveal the design.

8. Wash the shirt in a mild detergent and hang it up to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember the color wheel when using more than one color of dye. If the garment you are using is already colored, it may affect the finished color of the dye.

• Always wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from chemicals in the dye and discoloration.

References

• Kinderart: Easy Tie Dye For Kids: Lessons And Activities For Children
• Ritdye: Basic Instructions and Supplies / Rit Dye