how to tie dye a shirt

To tie dye a shirt, the basic steps are:

1. Prepare the shirt by washing it and leaving it damp.
2. Fold, twist, or scrunch the damp shirt into the desired pattern shape (e.g., spiral, crumple, stripes).
3. Secure the folds with rubber bands tightly to keep the shape.
4. Apply different dye colors using squeeze bottles, dipping, or brushes on the fabric sections created by the folds.
5. Let the dyed shirt sit in a sealed plastic bag for 6-24 hours to allow the dye to set.
6. Rinse the shirt in cold water without removing the bands to wash out excess dye.
7. Remove the rubber bands, then wash and dry the shirt separately.

Different folding methods create different patterns: spiral by twisting from the center, crumple by scrunching randomly, stripes by accordion folding with bands, etc. It's important not to disturb the folds during dyeing for sharp patterns. Wearing gloves and protecting your work surface is recommended. Leaving the dye on for longer (up to 24 hours) intensifies color saturation. These summarized steps and tips are compiled from detailed how-tie-dye guides with step-by-step instructions and videos.