DIY

HOW TO TIE-DYE A T-SHIRT

DIYS
August 2020

girl with pink tie dye tshirtgirl with pink tie dye tshirt

You asked, we answered! Beloved guest tailor Lilian Keene is back with the same fantastic hair and some new DIY goodness for everyone looking to up their wardrobe from home. This week: how to tie-dye your clothes. Lilian shows it with a T-shirt, but you can use tie-dying to reimagine any clothes that are old, stained, or just need some brightening up. Just listen to Lilian, because this super-cool girl knows what she’s doing.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

White cotton T-shirt (wash it before dyeing)

Dye

Rubber bands

Latex or rubber gloves

Large stainless-steel pot

Stove or hot plate

Bucket

Large spoon or stir stick

Table salt

Washing machine

    STEP 1

    Prepare the dye! Pour 1 to 3 big spoonfuls of dye into the pot, add water and stir it up. Boil the water for 20 to 30 minutes.

    TIP: You can use natural dye on this project. Lilian’s using brazilwood.

    pour dye into pot gif

    STEP 2

    Prepare the tee! Twist the shirt into a circle, then wrap rubber bands tightly around it. 

    twisting tee into a circle gif

    STEP 3

    Place the shirt in the pot, and let the water boil another 20 to 30 minutes. Leave the shirt in longer for a darker color.

    Shirt in pot with dye

    STEP 4

    Retrieve your shirt. Use a spoon to fish it out of the pot, then place it in the bucket of water to let it cool down.

    spoon fishing out dyed tshirt from bucket

    STEP 5

    Remove the rubber bands, then hang up the shirt. Once it’s dry, machine-wash it in cold water with ½ cup of salt.

    Unravel tie dye shirt from rubberbands gif

    STEP 6

    Dry your shirt again, then throw it on and go brighten someone’s day.

    Shop T-Shirts

    girl wearing tie dye tshirt