How To Make Tie-Dye T-shirts At Home?

Tie-dye makes an excellent and low-key DIY project and present for your kid. If you are wondering how to keep your kid’s attention for a long time, making tie-dye shirts is one great way to successfully accomplish that. It is impossible to tie-dye incorrectly, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Start by choosing a workplace that you won’t have problem making it dirty. Have in mind that tie-dye can be messy so it is a good idea to prepare garbage bags or plastic sheeting. Now when you are ready with your working spot, it is time to choose the T-shirt you want to transform. Choose a pre-washed, 100-percent cotton T-shirt. Immerse the shirt in lukewarm water, wring out the excess, then lay it flat. For better color absorption you can soak the T-shirt in soda ash.
If you are using a tie-dye kit, simply follow the package instructions- fill the bottles with warm water and shake. You can also add a little bit of salt to enhance the color. But if you want to make your own dye, most instructions require you to mix powdered dye with water.

In order to achieve the desired design use rubber bands. Squirt dye from the spray bottle onto the shirt, following the pattern of your choice. Make sure to apply only one color at a time. Work with lighter colors first (pink, yellow, lime green, etc.), since darker colors can be layered over the top of them. After finishing the design, it is time for the T-shirt to dry. Place it in a plastic bag or cover it with plastic wrap. Let it sit for 12-24 hours so the colors set. Unwrap the shirt and take off the rubber bands (wear gloves!) Rinse it in cold water until the run-off is clear. Then wash it in the washing machine with cold water; don't put any other clothing in the machine. Dry the shirt and it's ready to wear!