Things You'll Need
Fabric
Rubber bands
Dye
Once you've mastered beginning tie dye techniques you will be able to move on to more complicated projects. Create advanced tie dye patterns by folding fabric in different ways to make stripes, ribbons or rings. These patterns also use multiple colors to bring more variety to your tie dye. Instead of just tie dying T-shirts, try other materials such as socks, pillow cases or bandannas.
Tie Dye Pleats
Step 1
Place fabric on a flat surface. Starting at the bottom of the fabric, fold the fabric up 1 inch.
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Step 2
Place your thumbs over the fold and your fingers 1 inch above the fold. Pinch your fingers and thumbs together, bringing another inch of fabric together.
Step 3
Continue pinching fabric together until the entire piece is folded together like an accordion.
Step 4
Tie rubber bands 1 inch apart across the entire length of fabric.
Step 5
To change directions of the pleats, tie rubber bands on when some of the fabric is folded. Then begin pinching at another side of the fabric.
Step 6
Dye the fabric in the lightest color first then rinse with cold water until the water runs clear.
Step 7
Untie the fabric, pinch together in the opposite direction and secure again with rubber bands. Dye fabric in the darker color, then rinse with cold water until the water runs clear.
Twist Tie Dye
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Step 1
Hold one corner of the fabric and twist the fabric into a rope.
Step 2
Tie the two ends together.
Step 3
To create more lines on the twist, tie more rubber bands around the entire fabric.
Step 4
Dye the fabric in the lightest color. Rinse with cold water until the water runs clear.
Three Color Ring Tie Dye
Step 1
Create rings by pinching together a small ball of fabric and tying a rubber band around the ball.
Step 2
With some of your rings, push the ball of the fabric back down through the rubber band to make a doughnut shape.
Step 3
Dye the fabric in the lightest color, then rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Keep rubber bands on the fabric and add more rings.
Step 4
Dye the fabric in the next darker color, then rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Again keep all the rubber bands on the fabric and add more rings.
Step 5
Dye the fabric in the darkest color, then rinse with cold water until the water runs clear.
Tip
Always start with the lightest color when using two colors. Keep the fabric in the dye longer for darker colors and shorter for lighter colors. Use more rubber bands to create more white lines and patterns on the tie dye.
Warning
Dye can harm skin, so be sure to use gloves when tie dying. Dye will stain clothing, so wear an apron in case dye splashes.