Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie dye shirts, focusing on a popular spiral pattern for beginners:
- Prepare the shirt: Wash the shirt to remove any sizing or fabric softener for better dye absorption. Leave the shirt damp.
- Create the spiral: Lay the damp shirt flat and find the center point (usually near the collar). Pinch the fabric at that point and twist it tightly in a circular motion until the entire shirt forms a flat spiral disk.
- Secure with rubber bands: Use 3 rubber bands to hold the spiral in place, crisscrossing them to create 6 wedge-shaped sections on the shirt.
- Apply dye: Using plastic gloves, apply dye to each wedge section using squeeze bottles. You can choose as many colors as you like or use fewer colors. Apply the same colors to the back matching the front pattern.
- Process the dye: Place the dyed shirt in a sealable plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it damp and let the dye set for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
- Rinse and wash: Remove the rubber bands, rinse the shirt well with cold water to remove excess dye, then wash and dry separately to preserve the colors.
This simple spiral technique creates a classic vibrant tie-dye shirt and is great for beginners. Other patterns can be made by folding and tying the shirt differently before dyeing.
