DIY Tie Dye T-Shirt Instructions

Create any tie-dye design you like on a plain white T-shirt.

Tie dying is a magnificent way to spruce up white T-shirts or add new life to stained shirts, without spending a bunch of money on new clothes. The supplies are inexpensive and found at most craft, discount or grocery stores. Recreate designs made by other tie-dye artists or tie-dye the shirt randomly to create your own exclusive pattern.

Things You'll Need

• White T-shirt
• Soda ash
• Bucket
• Water
• Rubber bands
• Tie dye powder, various
• Plastic squirt bottles, one for each color of dye
• Plastic bag
• Rubber gloves
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Wash the T-shirt in the washing machine, before beginning. Place the shirt in the dryer without a dryer sheet, unless you are going wear it right away.

2. Pour soda ash into a bucket full of water and allow it to dissolve. Amounts of ash and water will vary depending on the brand. Be sure to read the product directions before mixing.

3. Choose a design for the tie-dye pattern. Scrunch the shirt into a ball for a random color design or lay the shirt flat and twist it in to a circle to create a spiral color pattern.

4. Wrap several rubber bands around the shirt to keep your design pattern in shape and place the shirt into the soda ash and water mixture for 20 minutes.

5. Mix the tie-dye powder as directed by the manufacturer. Pour the dye mixture into plastic squirt bottles.

6. Squirt the colors on the T-shirt, as you desire. Feel free to use only one color or mix and match in a random pattern. Place the T-shirt into a plastic bag and allow it to sit for 24 hours.

7. Put a pair of rubber gloves on to protect your skin and begin rinsing the T-shirt under warm water, until the water starts to run clear. Remove the rubber bands and wash the T-shirt in a washing machine, alone or with like colors.

References

• Do It Yourself Gifts: How to Tie Dye Shirts