How to Tie-Dye Shirts With Sharpie Markers

Make a tie-dye shirt using colored Sharpie markers.

Tie-dying shirts is a fun way to give an ordinary T-shirt a cool, spiral design. Traditional tie-dying methods can make a huge mess, but there's a really easy way you can make tie-dye shirts without all the mess and hassle. All you need is a package of different-colored Sharpie markers, rubber bands, and a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. When the rubbing alcohol comes in contact with the Sharpie marker ink, it creates a chemical reaction that causes the colors to bleed.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber bands
• Package of different-colored Sharpie markers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Pull together a section of fabric from the shirt. Wrap rubber bands around the fabric. You can wrap as many rubber bands as you like. Use many rubber bands to create tight spirals. Use fewer rubber bands to create wide spirals. The more sections you pull together with rubber bands, the more spirals the shirt will have.

2. Color the rubber banded section of fabric with your markers. You can color it however you like.

3. Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. Lay the shirt out in a well ventilated area. Spray rubbing alcohol on the sections of the shirt that were bunched together with the rubber bands. In a few moments you will begin to see the colors run together.

4. Wash and dry the shirt after the rubbing alcohol has dried.

References

• Mommies Magazine: Quick and easy tie-dye with Sharpie markers