How to Tie Die a Shirt

Tie-dye is one of the most enjoyable activities with the most striking results. Creating tie-dye shirts unlocks a vivid, colorful world of creativity for solo DIYers and the whole family. Yes: it’s so easy and engaging that even little kids can enjoy it!

Not only is it exciting, but it is also relaxing. Many people use the tie-dye process to slow down and even meditate. Others use it as a simple way to bond the whole family and create vibrant memorabilia.

Another beautiful thing about tie-dye is the fact that you can get as creative as you want with the patterns. So, if you need a form of art that is simple yet enriching, tie-dye is exactly what you’re looking for.

In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about tie-dye, from what kind of shirts to use, how to prepare the shirts, and the best dyes to use if you’re making your own dyes at home. We’ll then cover the exact process of creating the most popular patterns while giving you a few pointers on making unique patterns. Excited? 

You can perform tie dye on various kinds of fabrics and garments. However, for this article, we’ll focus on shirts, which are by far the most popular tie-dye garments.

The best type of tie-dye shirt is made from natural plant fibers, also known as cellulose fibers. These fibers absorb the dyes used in this method much better than synthetic ones.

The reason is that the dye is specially formulated to react on fabric fibers, and the molecular qualities of natural fabrics, such as cotton, hemp, linen, rayon, and silk, best facilitate that process.

This property contrasts with synthetic fibers such as polyester and spandex, which are not as reactive to the dyes. Therefore, the results are not as vivid and permanent. Fabric blends are also affected because the synthetic fabric will affect the outcome.

However, DIY crafters should consider 100% cotton because it’s the easiest to handle out of all the natural fibers.

For example, cotton absorbs dye faster than silk or linen, and silk is very sensitive to chemicals and heat. So, when using these other natural fabrics, it is easier to make a mistake than when working with cotton.

Luckily, some commercial Tie Dye Kits can be used effectively with any natural fiber. So if you can handle the other sensitivities of these fabrics, try them out!

To make the tie-dye process even better, consider using recycled shirts instead of disposing them. Doing this will help you avoid waste by giving new life to old clothes.

To get the equipment needed to tie and dye a shirt, you have two options:

A Tie Dye Kit has all the items you need for the tie and dye process, except for the shirt. However, if you cannot purchase one, or just prefer using what’s at home, here is a list of items you’ll need:

Of course, very few people have dye lying around in their house. So let’s learn how to make some of our own.

There are two ways you can use to make your own dye for tie dye at home:

Here are some materials you need to use:

Now is the time to tie the shirt:

Some of the materials you'll need to use:

Here are the steps for making it:

Remember that using homemade dyes will give less vibrant and more temporary designs. A specialized Tie Dye Kit is your best bet if you want strong, saturated colors that will last several washes.

To ensure that the colors you add during the process properly color the shirt, you need to prepare the fabric in the following ways:

Scouring refers to washing it with mild detergent and soda ash. This process removes any chemicals on the shirt that may hamper the dying process. Scouring is mostly done on brand-new shirts and may not be necessary for recycled shirts.

Scouring refers to washing the shirt in

You may not need to scour the shirt when using most Tie Dye Kits. Simply wash it in warm water with a mild detergent. Wring it gently to remove excess water, but leave it damp. However, read the label on the Tie Dye Kit because the manufacturer may have specific instructions.

Great! Now that you have your shirt ready let’s get into the fun and easy process of tie-dying your sweater!

Tie and dye is as easy as pie. Follow these simple steps to create timeless beauties for yourself and your family:

Ensure you have all the items needed and you have protective sheets on the surface you’ll be working on. Pre-mix the dyes if you are using a kit. Prepare the dyes in advance if you are making your own. Have the damp, washed shirts ready.

Pinch the middle of a damp, white shirt, then twist. 

Keep twisting until the whole shirt is in a spiral. 

Then, use three rubber bands to separate it into six sections.

The next step involves dye, so wear your gloves and set the rack on the plastic sheets. The rack will stop the colors from pooling on the surface.

Dye the different sections in different colors.

Turn the shirt over to dye the other side. Ensure each section has the same color on both sides.

Put the shirt in a Ziplock and leave it overnight.

Rinse the shirt in cold running water until the water coming from it runs clear. This step will prevent any dye that has not been absorbed from bleeding out the color in the rest of the shirt.

After rinsing, gently stretch out the shirt to remove a few creases then leave it on a hanger to air dry. Avoid direct sunlight. Once dry, it’s ready to wear!

In the instructions above, we focused on only one tie dye pattern: the spiral. However, there are dozens of different patterns you can try. Let’s learn how to achieve a few of them. Remember that you can mix and match these patterns to create something uniquely yours, or just get as creative as you want with it! 

1. Fold the shirt in half then use a washable marker to draw the half of a heart.

2. Fold small ripples starting from the sharp tip of the shape, along the curve of the shape to the end of the upper rounded end.

When done it should look like this:

3. Secure the shirt by placing a rubber band at the line formed by the marker. Then use two more rubber bands (or more) to secure the rest of the shirt.

4. Dye the sections in different colors.

5. Turn and apply the dyes to the other side.

1. Lay the shirt flat on the mesh and then crumple it up.

2. Secure it with three rubber bands.

4. Sprinkle tie-dye powders of different colors on the ice.

5. Let the ice melt completely.

Here are the steps on the stranding method: 

1. Fold the shirt in rectangular ripples from the bottom

2. When you get to the top, fold it in smaller ripples from one side to the other.

Here is what it should look like when folded completely:

3. Secure it with rubber bands

4. Put one color on all sides

After all this work, it would be a shame to allow the colors to fade away. The good news is that taking care of a tie-dye shirt is surprisingly easy. Simply wash it in cold water with a mild detergent and never put it in the dryer; instead, always air dry it.

If it dries out with a few creases, you can iron it safely by placing a damp cotton cloth between the shirt and the iron. Doing this will reduce the fading effect of heat on the colors. Following those steps will allow the colors to last a long time.

If you want tie-dye to be sustainable, then using non-toxic and biodegradable dyes, and using as little water as possible and using recycled fabrics, you can create timeless tie-dye pieces. This approach not only creates timeless pieces with vibrant colors that can be permanent with proper care but also promotes longevity in garments, ultimately reducing waste and benefiting the environment.

Tie and dye is a DIY project you can try today to engage your creativity or bond with your family. With easy-to-find materials and kits, plus a straightforward process, tie-dye is the perfect activity for both beginners and seasoned DIY artists.