V Pattern Tie-Dye 
Spiral Pattern 
Double Spiral T-shirt 
3 different styles of tie-dye. 
Shirt with ‘V’ pattern. 
Spirals on the side of the shirt. 
Spirals on the side of the shirt. 
Spiral pattern. 
A double spiral with more white showing. 
Bright colored spiral. 
Bright colored spiral. 
V Pattern T-Shirt. 
Busts of color on a mostly blue tie-dyed shirt.
Category: Uncategorized
Does it matter if my fabric is wet or dry before I start tie-dying?
It’s generally recommended to wash your fabric and to then leave it damp before tie-dying because the dye has an easier time saturating the fabric when it’s wet.
However, this also depends on the look you want and technique you use. You can apply the dye to dry fabric, just make sure it has been washed if it is new. Using dry fabric will result in a higher color saturation but a less uniform permeation throughout your fabric.
Can you actually tie-dye with acrylic paint?
Yes! While it is a lesser known practice, you can and the wait time for the ‘dye’ to set is much quicker! The fabric used doesn’t even need to be 100% cotton! In addition to the squeeze bottles and fabric you will need acrylic paint and a fabric textile medium (optional but softens the paint so the shirt isn’t as stiff when it’ dry.)
- To fill your squeeze bottle you will need to use this ratio:
- ½ part textile medium
- 1 part paint
- 3 parts water
- But feel free to experiment and make your own ratios
- Shake well to mix
- Get the fabric slightly damp
- Tie the shirts
- Get to tie-dying!
- Once finished let sit for at least an hour before untying
- Once untied you can let it air dry
- When it is nearly dry you can toss it in the dryer to heat-set the colors
- Pull it out of the dryer and flaunt your newest item of clothing!
What is ice-dying?
Ice dying is another method very similar to tie dying. You still tie up your fabric and soak it in soda ash, however once you have done this, the steps change. You will then want a bucket and a wire rack to set your fabric on because you will be putting ice around and on your piece of fabric, covering it completely. Once your fabric is completely covered you will then use assorted powdered dyes or one singular dye to cover the ice. After time the ice will melt and the dye will ‘melt’ into the fabric, the excess draining into the bucket you are working over. Next, you will treat this as you would any other tie-dye piece and let it sit for at least 24 hours before washing it.
Should I tie-dye with young children?
Of course! As long as you’re prepared for the mess that comes along with the craft. I suggest tie-dying outside and using gloves in efforts to have as little of a mess as possible. However, you should also try to have a designated area where the kids can go with the dye and where they can’t. I suggest you lay out everything they need, shirts, rubber bands, dye, and plastic bags for when they’re finished so it isn’t one big frenzy throughout. It is also important to have somewhere for them to wash their hands and feet if you choose to go outside (I never wore shoes when I was kid, and always got the dye on my feet.) Maybe a garden hose or wipes or even a large bucket of water. And have old towels on hand so they don’t wipe the dye on their clothes (hopefully they have older clothes on!) You could even wear smocks.
Can I tie-dye fabric that is 50% cotton and 50% polyester?
You are welcome to use a cotton blend, however the color will not be as vibrant as when you use 100% natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and rayon.
What fabric is best to use when tie-dying?
100% cotton is the best to use when tie-dying. You can also use linen, hemp, rayon, or any natural fibers.
How do I get the stains off of my skin?
The first suggestion to get stains off of your skin is to wear some kind of plastic glove. But, if you didn’t think to do that, you aren’t alone as many people think to use gloves when it is too late. To get the dye off of your skin you can try any one or multiple of these solutions:
- Baking
Soda
- Wash hands thoroughly.
- Grab a spoonful of baking soda and splash of waster to create a paste in your palm.
- Apply the paste to your stained skin before scrubbing. The baking soda should pull the dye from your skin as well as help to scrub it away by exfoliating.
- Nail polish remover
- Wash and scrub your hands thoroughly to remove any dye that hasn’t set in.
- Just like you were to remove nail polish from your nails, apply the remover to a cotton ball.
- Wipe the dye away from your skin.
- Wash the nail polish remover from your skin.
- If at any time your skin gets irritated, immediately stop and try an alternative.
- Using baby lotion or any oil-based moisturizer
- Wet a cotton ball or wash cloth with the oil and apply on the stained area. Rub it in for several minutes.
- Wash off and check to see if the dye has gone. If it is still there, reapply the lotion again and rub it in. If you are repeating the step you may want to allow it to sit longer before washing it off.
- If the stain is still there, apply the oil and leave it overnight. You may want to lay on an old towel or use old sheets in case the dye comes off while you sleep.
- Rinse off with warm water in the morning.
- Vinegar
- Dip a cotton ball in vinegar and apply on the dyed area. Gently rub in circles to remove the stain.
- Rinse and if it is still there, repeat the above step.
- If you notice the skin is becoming irritated, discontinue and try with something milder.
- Hairspray
- This method is similar to using vinegar, you will spray it on a cotton ball and rub in small circles to remove the dye.
- Again, if you notice your skin becoming irritated, stop and try something different.
- Exfoliating
- This method does not work as well as the above but it will help stains fade.
- Wash hands to remove any dye that has set in.
- Massage a pumice stone, exfoliating facial cleanser, or body scrub you might have into your skin for several minutes.
- Wash any leftover exfoliating scrub away from your hands.
- You could also try stain wipes.
Why did my dye fade on the first wash?
There are many reasons dye can fade during a wash,
- Did you soak your chosen fabric in soda ash before you applied your dye?
- Did you pre-wash the fabric in hot water to get rid of any chemicals or detergent that could be lingering and causing a washed out color.
- Is the dye fresh? The longer the dye sits, the quicker it gets weak. You shouldn’t let your dye sit for longer than a week.
- Was the powder you used too old? You should try to use powder that is less than two years old and has been tightly sealed. When dye is exposed to humid air it can go bad, quickly. A way to prevent this is to store your dye in a cool and dry place, tightly closed.
- Did you soak the shirt in soda ash for too long? It is suggested to soak your fabric in soda ash for 5-10 minutes. And remember squeeze out the excess before dying.
- Was the fabric too wet? If so, this will result in less room for the fabric to be dyed.
- Was the temperature of your water when mixing the dye correct? The temperature should be warm, but never hot.
- Hard water also causes faded or dull colors.
- Did you let your finished piece dry out while it was curing? This actually causes the chemical in the dye to keep in permanent to stop. Remember to keep the tie-dye in a Ziploc or plastic grocery bag, tied or sealed tight.
Where can I buy tie-dye?
You can buy the dye at craft stores such as Michaels, JOANNs, Hobby Lobby, and online in places such as amazon. You can buy individual colors or buy the kits where all you have to do is add water! Popular brands of dye include Rit and Tulip. You can even buy tie-dye on websites such as Amazon where there is most likely a wider variety than in a store, however if there is a brand that you haven’t heard of, I suggest you read the reviews or try to find a tutorial on Youtube where there is a demonstration with the dye of said brand.
All that you're dying to know about Tie-Dye 