Make Your Own Tye-Dye T-Shirts For Kids

!±8± Make Your Own Tye-Dye T-Shirts For Kids

For readers with children, learning how to make your own tye-dye t-shirts can be a fun way to bring the whole family together. All you need are some inexpensive white t-shirts, a few basic supplies, and a desire to express yourself through color. Before you know it, you and your kids will look like you're on the way to a Janis Joplin concert back in 1968.

Tie-Dye Supplies

Before you learn how to make your own tye-dye t-shirts, here are the supplies you'll need:

T-shirt (you can also use sheets, socks, or anything else that's at least 60 percent cotton) Rubber bands Dye Spray bottle (used to apply certain types of dye) Rubber gloves Old bucket to mix dye in Salt (adding salt to dye helps it set and makes for more colorful designs) Plastic bags Duct tape Soda ash (some dyes require that you treat clothing with soda ash before the dyeing process) Garbage bags Towels

How to Tie-Dye a Shirt

Step #1 - Begin by washing and drying the shirt to be tie-dyed.

Step #2 - At this stage, you should decide what sort of tye-dye pattern you'll be trying to achieve. Common patterns include circles, spirals, and stripes.

Step #3 - Set up a workplace outside if possible, as the dye being used will permanently stain any fabric (or carpet) it comes into contact with. Use duct tape and garbage bags to protect the surface you'll be working on.

Step #4 - Mix the dye in your bucket according to the instructions on the box. Add soda ash if required. Add 1 cup of salt to help the colors set, and be sure to wear your rubber gloves.

Step #5 - Place the shirt to be dyed flat onto the work surface.

Step #6 - Place your hand on the center of the t-shirt and lift it into the air. Run your hand down the short and gather it together.

Step #7 - Right above where you lifted the shirt, place the first rubber band. Then, every inch or two, place another rubber band and wrap it firmly around the shirt. When you've finished, the length of the shirt should be wrapped in rubber bands.

Step #8 - Place the shirt into the dye and leave as per the directions on the box. If you are going to dye the fabric more than one color, it's best to start with the lightest color.

Step #9 - After dyeing each color, remove the shirt and rinse it off with warm and then cool water (if it says so on the dye box). Depending on the desired pattern, you may need to remove the rubber bands after the first dyeing. Always consult the box, as some dyes require you to wait 24 hours before rinsing (keeping the shirt inside a garbage bag in the meantime).

Step #10 - After you've tye-dyed your shirt, make sure that you wash it individually in cool water for the first few times. In case any dye bleeds, this will ensure that other clothes aren't stained.

Now that you know how to make your own tye-dye t-shirts, you and your kids can have a great time in the backyard creating colorful clothing for leisure activities. Don't be afraid to experiment, as you're likely to find a number of interesting techniques for tie-dying fabrics.