How to Create a Spider Style Tie-Dye T-Shirt

Creating original tie-dye T-shirts is a great way to customize a wardrobe, in part because there are so many different tie-dye patterns to choose from. One of the most common tie-dye patterns is the spiral pattern. A spider pattern is simply a spiral pattern created on a folded T-shirt. The fold creates a pattern that resembles a spider as opposed to a sunburst. This pattern can be made with any number of colors and shades of dye, but many people like to use at least one very bright and one very dark color, because the contrast really allows the spider pattern to shine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White cotton T-shirt
• Spring-loaded clothespin
• Rubber bands
• Fabric dyes
• Rubber gloves

1. Prepare the T-shirt. If the shirt is new, wash it in cold water with no detergent to rid the fabric of any starch or preservatives sprayed on it by the manufacturer. Dry completely.

2. Lay the T-shirt, front up, on a table or other flat surface. Fold the shirt in half vertically, lining up the long edges and the sleeves.

3. Clamp the clothespin onto the center of the folded edge and turn the clothespin clockwise, coiling the shirt into a circle. Continue twisting until the shirt is completely wrapped up and resembles a cinnamon roll.

4. Pull the clothespin from the center of the coil and wrap rubber bands around the shirt to secure it. Make sure the rubber bands are going several different directions, splitting the shirt into as many sections as you desire.

5. Mix the fabric dye according to the instructions. Put on a pair of rubber gloves. Dip a section of the coiled shirt into the first dye, holding it in the bowl so that it absorbs as much color as possible.

6. Turn the T-shirt disc and dip it into the second dye, holding it under until it absorbs as much dye as possible. Repeat the process until the shirt is completely dyed and all of the colors have been used.

7. Unwrap the shirt and hold it under cold running water until it is no longer dripping dye. Hang the shirt up to dry.

References

• Rit Dye
• How do you tie-dye a spiral pattern?
• How to tie-dye a spider pattern