Don’t use colored items, or the dye won’t show up. The fabric must also be 100% cotton in order for the dye to adhere. Items with large surface areas will work the best. Something like a pair of shorts or socks will be difficult to twist into a spiral.
if you’re tie dyeing something else, then make sure that you spread it out flat as well.
For a more unique design, pinch elsewhere on the shirt. For example, you could pinch the top-right corner or the bottom-left corner.
This is a little like winding spaghetti around the prongs of a fork. You can twist the shirt clockwise or counterclockwise. If you pinched the fabric with your fingers, simply twist your hand like turning a key. You’ll have to re-pinch and adjust your hand after each twist.
Space the rubber bands evenly, like the numbers on a clock, or just wrap them around the bundle randomly. If the bundle feels loose, add a few more rubber bands.
Not all fabric dyes require soda ash. Double-check the instructions on the dye package. It would be a good idea to put on an old set of clothes or an apron. This way, you won’t risk accidentally staining your clothes. Work outside, if possible. If you can’t, cover your work surface with a plastic tablecloth or several layers of newspaper.
Once you add the T-shirt, the water level will rise, so make sure that the bucket is big enough. Something that can hold 2 to 3 gallons (7. 6 to 11. 4 L) would work.
You can get fiber reactive dyes online. Fabric stores and craft stores also sell them, but typically in kits. Fiber reactive dyes come in powdered form, but not all powdered dyes are fiber reactive. Read the label! How many colors you choose is up to you. Most people stick with 2 colors, but you can use anywhere between 1 and 4 colors.
If your dye came in a packet, mix the dye in a jar first, then transfer it into a plastic squeeze bottle. Some dyes can be mixed ahead of time and stored indefinitely while others need to be used immediately. Read the instructions on your package of dye.
If the shirt floats in the water, it’s not soaked through. Squeeze it some more, or allow it to soak longer. You can remove the dust mask at this point since the soda ash and dye powders are dissolved. You should keep the gloves and old clothes/apron on, however.
You can pour the soda ash solution down the drain. It won’t harm the pipes. In fact, it may even clear out any clogs!
Each space between 2 rubber bands counts as 1 section. Work on top of a surface that can get dirty or stained. An old baking sheet covered with plastic wrap would work great.
You may be able to save the dye for later. Each brand is different, however, so read the label to find out whether or not you can store it for later use.
Don’t untie the shirt before you put it into the bag. Place the bag on top of a tray or a larger plastic bag in case the dye leaks. This will protect your work surface against stains.
If you take the rubber bands off now, you risk getting dye onto the white areas of the shirt and ruining the tie dye effect.
Remember to wear your plastic gloves so that you don’t get dye on your hands! You need to rinse the shirt twice because some of the dye was trapped inside the spiral.
Alternatively, wash the shirt with similar colors. You can also wash it with black clothing; the dye won’t show up on that. Stick with a “cool” or “cold” water setting. It is safe for all fabrics and won’t fade the dye.
Once the shirt is dry, it’s ready to wear! If you are using a clothes dryer, you can dry the shirt with other items. The color should not transfer to other garments.
