How to Tie Dye T-Shirts

Before you begin, cover your work area or use a shallow bucket to work in.

Make sure to wear gloves throughout and clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

Start by prepping your cotton top. Soak the top in lukewarm water.

Prepare your dye according to the instructions provided. For the mottled effect you need one colour. For the spiral design you need 4.

To create the mottled effect lay your damp T-shirt out flat.

Begin by pinching different parts of the T-shirt to create creases.

Continue until there are lots of creases in the T-shirt and it is compact.

Secure with rubber bands.

Lay out cling film and and place the T-shirt on top.

Begin adding dye to the T-shirt. The more dye you add, the more colourful the T-shirt will be.

Make sure to add dye to both sides of the T-shirt.

Once you are happy with the amount of dye added, wrap the cling film around the T-shirt and leave for 24 hours to develop.

Once the dye has set, remove the cling film and rubber bands and rinse under cold water to remove any excess dye.

Now put your T-shirt in the washing machine on a cold wash. Make sure to only wash one item at a time and do an empty wash afterwards to remove any leftover dye.

Once the wash is complete, hang the T-shirt up to dry.

To create the spiral effect, lay your damp T-shirt flat.

Pinch the centre of the top and start to twist.

Keep twisting until the whole top is in a compact spiral.

Secure with 2 rubber bands to create 4 sections.

Place cling film underneath the damp T-shirt.

Begin by adding dye to the first section until it is covered.

Continue to work each section, swapping colours as you go.

When you have added dye to the front of the T-shirt, turn it over and work the correct colour to the correct section.

Once you have added enough dye, wrap the T-shirt in cling film and leave for 24 hours to set.

Once the dye has set, remove the cling film and rubber bands and rinse under cold water to remove any excess dye.

Now put your T-shirt in the washing machine on a cold wash. Make sure to only wash one item at a time and do an empty wash afterwards to remove any leftover dye.

Once the wash is complete, hang the T-shirt up to dry.