Everywhere you turn, it’s hard not to see tie-dye as it’s the official quarantine trend. Now that it’s hot outside and you have tons of free time, it’s time to go old-school and start tie-dying. You can transform plain ordinary clothes and linens into one-of-a-kind pieces. To get the best results, use 100 percent cotton that’s been pre-washed. You’ll also need dye powder, rubber bands, rubber gloves, plastic bags, and a plastic table cover. Here’s your step-by-step guide for all things tie-dye as well as different patterns to try out.
How to Tie-Dye:
- Place your article of clothing or linens in hot water and wring out the excess water.
- On a table covered with plastic wrap, lay your shirt flat.
- Tie your shirt with rubber bands tightly in the pattern you choose (see below).
- Put your gloves on and start mixing the dye with water.
- Apply the dye to your clothing or linens.
- When you’re done dying your item, place it in a plastic bag and let it sit for six to eight hours, or overnight.
- Remove the rubber bands and rinse your item with cold water until the water runs clear.
- Wash your item on its own on a cold setting and let it hang to dry.
Patterns:
Spirals: Pinch the shirt where you want the spiral to be and then twist the rest of the shirt around that point and work outwards. Then add the rubber bands to hold it in place.
Stripes: Bunch your shirt horizontally or vertically and with rubber bands, mark where the stripes will be. To get tighter stripes, use more rubber bands.
Bullseye: Pinch the middle of your shirt and use it as a bullseye center. Then put rubber bands moving outward. For more bullseyes, use more rubber bands.
