Tulip Tie-Dye Instructions

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Tulip is an art supply company that manufactures one of the most popular tie-dye kits on the market. This brand has many different kits available, including Shibori one-color, three-color, five-color, 12-color and 18-color packages. Each one comes with bottles, dye powder, protective gloves, rubber bands and printed step-by-step instructions. The quantities of these items varies based on which kit you choose.

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Things You'll Need

  • Garment to dye

  • Tulip tie-dye kit

  • Plastic tablecloth

  • Paper towels

  • Plastic wrap

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Step 1

Wash the garment that you want to dye. This will prevent shrinking in the future. Make sure to wash with detergent but refrain from using fabric softener or dryer sheets, as this may alter the way the dye adheres to the fabric.

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Tip

You can use a wet or dry technique when using tulip tie-dye. If using the wet technique, don't dry the garment. Simply start the tie-dye process as soon as the garment comes out of the washing machine.

Step 2

Start by deciding where you are going to work on your project and protecting the table or counter top surface. Lay out a plastic tablecloth and then cover it with a second layer of paper towels.

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Step 3

Put on your rubber gloves, put a package of dye into each bottle, and fill each bottle with water up to the designated fill line. Tighten the caps back onto the bottle and carefully shake to disperse the dye color.

Tip

Alter the water-to-dye ratio to intensify or dull the finished color.

Step 4

Use the rubber bands to gather different parts of the fabric together. The placement of each rubber band will help determine the finished look of your tie-dye project.

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Step 5

Apply the dye to the garment using the squeeze bottles. Use a single color or multiple colors on different parts of the garment.

Step 6

Wrap the entire garment with plastic wrap and set it aside for six to eight hours, depending upon how intense you would like the final colors to be.

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Step 7

Remove the plastic wrap and the rubber bands from the garment. Run the garment under water in the sink until the water runs clear. Wash the garment in the washing machine on the hottest setting recommended for the fabric. Dry the garment.

Warning

Make sure to wash and dry your garment separately the first two to three times to prevent the bleeding of colors onto other clothing.

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